Let us take a closer look at the public schools in Chicago. The budget for this fiscal year is $5.328 billion. The breakdown of revenue sources is: 1.) 18% from federal Title 1 funds, 2.) 36% from state funding which is based on a formula involving students, household income levels and special needs, 3.) 37% […]

To understand the educational system here, it is necessary to talk about the two types of schools as they relate to the budget process in the system, which are tradition and non-traditional schools. Traditional schools represent 86% of the school budget. The budget is based on enrollment. They represent neighborhood schools, magnet schools, regional gifted […]

When schools are closed and not turned around, the students are transferred to another school. Sometimes this involves a much longer walk to school in the morning and going home after school. The students may also have to go through hostile territory to get to school. Other problems can result. The reason for closing schools […]

Teacher qualifications is a major issue. Closing schools can accomplish getting rid of poor performing teachers. However you know about the saying of throwing the baby out with the bath water. That is what is happening here. If a teacher is not performing well, it is the responsibility of the principal to deal with the […]

Chronic teacher absenteeism is a major problem for some schools. This may have a direct effect on educating our children. Some teachers know that their schools are going to be closed or turned around and call in sick frequently. When a school is turned around, that means that it has been targeted for closure. All […]

This is Part 1 of a six part series. Classroom environment, school closings, teacher certification, low test scores, school violence, large budget deficits, pension underfunding, government borrowing, teacher and other staff layoffs, and "No Child Left Behind’ are areas of concern in educating our children today. Some of these areas of education will be examined […]