The myth of underutilized schools.
CPS claims they are closing schools that are what they call underutilized.
WBEZ’s Linda Lutton and Catalyst’s Sarah Karp look at the data.
After CPS leaders took pains to counter Raise Your Hand’s criticism, Catalyst Chicago asked CPS for class size data in December 2012 and then submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for the data in February. The information was provided in late April and shows that:
- Schools that are underutilized according to the district’s formula have, on average, two fewer students than in schools deemed to be at capacity. Only 12 percent of classrooms in closing schools are above recommended class sizes.
- About 850-more than 25 percent-of primary classrooms have more than 28 students, the amount recommended under the district’s contract with the teachers union. Class size has the most impact on young students, according to research.
- Another 713 3rd thru 8th-grade classes have more than 31 students.
- CPS officials have emphasized that closing schools will help get rid of split-grade
Glen Brown: We Are One cannot bargain away the rights of retirees.
From Glen Brown’s blog:
RTA Executive Director Jim Bachman issued this statement on behalf of the Association’s 35,000 members:
“While we appreciate Senator Cullerton’s good faith efforts to find a solution, we fully believe the changes in his legislation are clearly unconstitutional. The legislation may be less draconian than [Madigan’s Senate Bill 1 in] the House of Representatives, but it still fails the test of constitutionality.“The authors of the Illinois Constitution were unequivocal in their purpose for drafting and enacting the ‘Pension Clause’ to the 1970 rule of law. Repeatedly, delegates including amendment sponsor
