In today’s Leading News, how standardized test data is used by schools, former ISBE state superintendent passes away, horse therapy in Decatur SD 61 schools, and how poverty affects students in East St. Louis SD 189. In other news, security in Danville CCSD 118 is increased following social media threats. 

How do Illinois schools actually use standardized test data? 
Peter Medlin, Northern Public Radio, DeKalb, September 16 

Former state board of ed superintendent who worked in the Bush Administration dead at 82 
Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register, Springfield, September 14 

Equine therapy at Muffley School encourages empathy and coping skills 
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, September 14, 2024 

How does poverty affect students in East St. Louis? Here are 5 things to know 
Kelly Smits, Belleville News-Democrat, September 16, 2024 

Security at Danville school beefed up following social media threat 
Jennifer Bailey, Champaign News-Gazette, September 16, 2024

In today’s Leading News, nationally including Illinois, school districts deal with online school shooting threats. Also in the news, schools face other health and well-being issues.

School Shooting Threats Skyrocket on Social Media After Apalachee Shooting
Amy Rock, Campus Safety Magazine, September 12

Parent reveals security flaw in app used by Edwardsville District 7
Billy Woods, Edwardsville Intelligencer, September 13

OPRF shares Convergence plan to address antisemitism claims 
Amaris E. Rodriguez, Oak Park Review, September 11

Schools are putting vape detectors in bathrooms — paid for by Juul
Scott Neuman, NPR, September 12

Peoria student's photos of mold on school lunch cause Facebook uproar
JJ Bullock, Peoria Journal Star, September 11
 

In today’s Leading News, read more media coverage of the ongoing outbreak of threats to schools. Also in the news, Dixon Unit SD 170 plans to celebrate the memory of its famous alum.  

Two 11-year-olds arrested in connection with separate threats to Centralia City Schools
Bruce Kropp, WJBD Radio, Salem, September 11

School district to discipline rumor spreaders disrupting Jacksonville Middle School
Michelle Husain, WICS, Springfield, September 12

Moline police: No danger to John Deere Middle School following social media threats
Olivia Allen, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, September 11

14-year-old boy charged after gun recovered in Glenbard East restroom
Jake Griffin, Daily Herald, September 11

Dixon Public Schools to showcase century mark of Reagan beginning his high school years
Payton Felix, Shaw Local/Sauk Valley Media, August 30
 

In today’s Leading News, districts and communities discuss the logistics of school transportation.

Illinois Central School Bus and Teamsters Negotiations Continue
Tina Morrison, WCSJ, Morris, September 10

Springfield School District installs extended stop signs on all buses
Bradley Zimmerman, WCIA, Champaign, September 5

School bus driver charged with aggravated DUI after crash
Susan Sarkauskas, Daily Herald, September 10

Summit Hill District 161 calls for quick changes to ‘inexcusable’ school bus service
Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, September 5

CPS, Pace paratransit drivers to return to work Friday after ratifying contract
Mary Norkol, Chicago Sun-Times, September 5
 

In today’s Leading News, discussion of gun storage laws is back in the headlines after the recent school shooting in Georgia. Illinois schools and communities cope with threats and repercussions. Also in the news, trouble in the pumpkin patch.

After Georgia school shooting, Illinois lawmakers, firearms safety advocates push stronger gun storage law
Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Tribune, September 9

Bartlett schools put in 'secure learning' after being notified of threat by National Suicide Hotline
ABC7 Chicago, September 10

Additional patrols around Jersey schools
Mark Ellebracht Advantage News, Alton, September 11

Man gets 23 years for Ottawa school threat
Tom Collins, Shaw Local/Illinois Valley News, September 6

50-pound pumpkin stolen from FFA plot of Rantoul school
Bradley Zimmerman, WCIA, Champaign, September 10
 

In today’s Leading News, take a look at coverage of suburban school district referendums on the November ballot, plus the county school facilities sales tax question in DeKalb County.

Dist. 64 Launches Referendum Outreach
Igor Studenkov, Journal and Topics, Chicago suburbs, September 4

District 57 asking voters for tax hike in order to fund kindergarten, new middle school
Steve Zalusky, Daily Herald, September 4

School funding question to be on Nov. 5 ballot in handful of Southland communities
Mike Nolan, Daily Southtown, Chicago and suburbs, August 19

District 220 seeks $64 million tax hike for new auditorium, curriculum improvements
Eric Peterson, Daily Herald, August 16

Proposed new DeKalb County schools sales tax would not tax groceries, prescriptions, cars
Camden Lazenby, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, September 5
 

In today’s Leading News, read coverage of financing for candidates in Chicago’s first school board election. Plainfield CCSD 202 reaches a settlement with two students after allegations of hazing in 2019. Decatur SD 61 offers a new alternative education program. Also in the news, officials credit the emergency alert system in use at Apalachee High School in Georgia during last week’s school shooting tragedy.

With CTU and school choice proponents investing in elected school board races, do ‘independent’ candidates stand a chance?
Sarah Macaraeg, Chicago Tribune, September 6

Chicago school board elections see big 'school choice' cash, including from billionaires
Sarah Karp and Nader Issa, Chicago Sun-Times, September 6

Plainfield School District 202 approves settlement in football hazing lawsuit
Felix Sarver, Joliet Herald News, August 29

Option 3 provides alternative to alternative schools
Valerie Wells, Decatur Herald and Review, August 30

A Panic Button May Have Saved Lives in Ga. School Shooting. Here’s What We Know
Caitlynn Peetz, Education Week, September 5
 

In today’s Leading News, the Proviso THSD 209 board focuses on achievement. Prairie Central CUSD 8 discusses and weighs school closures. Lake Forest SD 67 challenges hiring practices. Decatur SD 61 custodial staff files intent to strike. Also in the news, the father of the 14-year-old student charged in Wednesday’s school shooting tragedy in Georgia has been arrested.

D209 aims to tackle achievement, chronic absenteeism this year
Amaris E. Rodriguez, Forest Park Review, September 3

Residents push back against plan to strip small central Illinois towns of schools
Erich Murphy, Pontiac Daily Leader, September 4

Lake Forest school board president blasts hiring oversight; ‘Steps are being taken so that it doesn’t happen again’
Daniel I. Dorfman, Pioneer Press/Lake County News-Sun, September 3

Decatur School District 61 custodians prepare to go on strike
Decatur Herald and Review, August 29

Father of suspected Apalachee HS shooter arrested, charged in connection with shooting
Jonathan Franklin, NPR, September 5
 

In today’s Leading News, four deaths are reported after Wednesday’s school shooting in Winder, Georgia. Transportation takes trials, tribulations, and trails. Also in the news, Chalkbeat takes a national look at state report cards.

A teen charged with killing 4 people at a Georgia high school was interviewed about online threats
Jeff Amy, Associated Press, September 5

Parents, bus drivers seek answers as Saratoga Elementary Board discusses dissolving transportation district
Michael Urbanec, Morris Herald News, August 23

2 DeKalb kindergartners went missing on 1st day of school; their parents want accountability
Megann Horstead, DeKalb Daily Chronicle, August 26

MHS District 280 on board with pedestrian-bicycle path
Mendota Reporter, August 27

How are students doing since COVID? Good luck finding out from your state’s school report card.
Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat National, September 5
 

In today’s Leading News, school boards examine budgets and decide on bond referendums.

District 207 OKs budget up $12.6 million over last year
Richard Requena, Pioneer Press, Park Ridge, August 20

Evanston-Skokie School District 65 discovers $10-$20 million deficit, budget irregularities
Phil Rockrohr, Pioneer Press Evanston, August 27

Saratoga Board Budget Presentation
Justin Ritz, WCSJ, Morris, August 28

Rockridge puts bond referendum on Nov. 5 ballot for new elementary school
Olivia Allen, Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus, August 30

Mahomet-Seymour School District Proposes $112 Million Bond for New Schools
Mahomet Daily, September 2
 

In today’s Leading News, districts and communities work on contract talks with teachers and SROs. Also in the news, cupcakes.

Back to school in Chicago 2024: new students, a new school board, and a new teachers contract?
Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat Chicago, August 21

Crystal Lake District 47 teachers to start school year without contract as federal mediation continues
Michelle Meyer, Northwest Herald, August 21

Waukegan, school board still $40k apart in SRO contract dispute; ‘The kids need it to feel safe in school’
Steve Sadin, Lake County News-Sun, August 29

RTHS Board: SRO agreement with city approved
Jeff Helfrich. Rochelle News-Leader, August 20

Illinois teacher’s viral plea: ‘Please don’t bring cupcakes’ for children’s birthdays
Joey Schneider, WGN, Chicago, August 27