In Loco Parentis

2005-06-10T23:49:00.000-05:00

The Parthenon (in Nashville)

Search engines and students

2005-06-10T23:39:00.000-05:00

Robert Heiny at Tablet PC Education wonders whether teachers are influencing search engine development. It reminded me of something that's been bouncing around my head. When I was teaching (an aside about my job search: I found a summer school teaching job, still looking for full time position starting this fall), I witnessed kids resigned to answer with whatever digits appeared on the calculator. Yes, Virginia, that is an answer--just not the right one. I feel an analagous phenomenon will occur in other classes (it probably already has). Students will think the right answer is anything returned by a Google search.

After drafting the above, I came across Boards Get Brains, Chalk Vanishes on Wired (via Donna Lewis at School Technology Leadership Blog). I disliked the article for several reasons. First, a teacher once again claims that a new technology, here it's an interactive chalkboard, will increase student motivation. Second, it contains a ridiculous quote "My [Nancy Knowlton, President of Smart Technologies] speculation is over the next three to five years you'll see an interactive whiteboard in every single classroom." I don't have to speculate to say she's wrong. Third, the end story of a teacher responding to a kid's question about a worm's brain illustrates my point above. "[A] quick Google search" performed by the teacher (article doesn't say whether teacher or student formed the search query) may answer the question but how exactly does that help the student. My two queries to the question posed revealed nothing startling (see earthworm brain or worm brain). Equally effective would have been a "yes." The lesson learned: if you google it, an answer will come. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't doubt it if at least one student has displayed this picture of the "Parthenon" (note to readers: I couldn't figure out how to add a photo at the end of this post, look at the post immediately above this one for the picture).

Traditional or Reform Math Education?

2005-06-05T08:14:00.000-05:00

I've enjoyed two blogs that I've recently come across which address math curricula. Instructivist endorses a more traditional teaching approach (Core Knowledge and E.D. Hirsch, Jr. characterize that approach) while Over Education prefers reformed math education (see NCTM Standards and Trailblazers for k-5 math education).

This post is not about which is best for students theoretically but about the more fundamental question. Which approach puts teachers in the best position? I assume 20% of teachers could teach adequately under either approach, 20% will do a poor job regardless of curriculum. The large middle 60% is where the debate should be focused. Moreover, I think this debates falls away for math at or above the Algebra II or college algebra level. The relevant population of math teachers is reduced to the middle 60% of those teaching k-10. How do we ensure that this class has the proper materials to adequately teach students?

In this debate, it's hard to argue apples to apples. A charter school may achieve fantastic results with core knowledge but, presumably, the teachers and administrators were attracted by the curriculum. Thus, most comparisons to a traditional public school (where employees have a less philosophical interest in curriculum) are not valid. The better comparison is to a charter school based on constructivism. Who is doing the empirical studies and research on such questions?

I know the approach that works best for me. Though I won't do so in this forum, I could articulate reasons and arguments for my determination. I suspect many, many, many teachers would have trouble merely framing the debate. Arguing the best math curriculum has little relevance to those on the frontline. The arguments should begin from where the teachers currently stand, not where they should be in one's ideal world. Each side should be trying to convince teachers that their side's curriculum will transform mediocrity into first-rate teaching.

I know of only one Chicagoland school district committed to a traditional approach. Flossmoor [Elementary] District 161 outlines its Board of Education Instructional Philosophy on its website. I wonder if anyone is tracking District 161's successes and failures.

Next Post: What I think Dr. Henry Borenson's Hands-On Equations reveals about the debate.

Adding equations to Microsoft word documents

2005-05-24T19:28:00.000-05:00

I realize it's late in the year; still, I have some tips for those of you who teach math. Just as you shouldn't swing a hammer too hard but let it do the work for you, when creating documents with math "stuff" let the word processor do the work (e.g. no more writing fractions by hand).

First, to insert fractions in Microsoft word:
1. Find "insert" across the top of the screen.
2. On the drop down menu under "insert", find "field"
3. After clicking on "insert field" you will have to choose the "Field name." To insert a fraction, you want to choose "Equations and Formulas" as the category and the "Field name" is "Eq."
4. You will then enter instructions to describe the fraction. Find the box where "EQ" is displayed.
5. Place the cursor after "EQ" and type "\F(" (just the stuff inside the quotes, i.e. forward slash, 'F', open parens).
6. After the "open parens," type the numerator and denominator separated by a comma, and then a close parens (e.g. the fraction 7/8 would appear "EQ\F(7,8)")
7. Hit okay and you should see the fraction in your document.

Second, common symbols used in math
1. Find "insert" again
2. This time select "symbol" on the drop down menu
3. Changing the font, brings up different math symbols

a mulitplication symbol (looks better than an 'x') is found in the "monotype sorts" font and is in the top row just right of center
a division symbol (looks better than a '/') is found in the "(normal text)" font and is in the 2nd row from the bottow in the middle
a pi symobl can also be found in "(normal text)" and is in the 3rd row from the bottom in the middle

4. For the advanced crowd, I'd suggest creating a shortcut key for the symbols you use most.

Tablet PCs in Hinsdale

2005-05-19T13:00:00.000-05:00

Chicago Tribune article on Hinsdale H/S/D 86 running out of money for Tablet PCs. They're now asking parents to pitch in roughly $2000 for one. Some parents, for a variety of reasons, are balking at that option.

Like claims in a weight loss advertisement, I look skeptically on an educator's claim that this new thing (whatever that thing may be) increases student engagement and attentiveness. I do not doubt that it does but how much is attributable to curiousity and how much to more substantive reasons. Though I lack any sources, I imagine Power Point once increased student engagement and attentiveness. Just as the business world has suffered through a Power Point backlash, I'm sure some students find it quite boring these days. That said, I still think educators should be bringing them into classrooms and using them to simplify the tasks so often groused about in the teachers' lounge.

Lastly, a once in a great while article in the Trib doesn't scratch the surface of Tablet PCs in education. I recommend
Tablet PC Education Blog for a more nuanced look.

Administrative law primer for educators unfamiliar with admin law

2005-05-17T22:43:00.000-05:00

To this point, I haven’t included many substantive posts. Any comments or questions are welcome.

Until recently, administrative law issues have not affected most people in education. The following briefly “talks through” some of the issues raised by the new policy on accountability under NCLB for students with disabilities. Hopefully, it will enlighten those unaccustomed to federal administrative law.

The new policy made me curious about the language which authorizes the U.S. Department of Education to create a 2% flexibility allowance for students with persistent academic disabilities—that is to say allowing states to use modified assessments for 2% of students. If the enabling language is in NCLB, then the question becomes whether the interpretation could be challenged in court.

Section 6311(b)(3)(C) of NCLB, which controls State plans, says that “[State] assessments shall … provide for … the reasonable adaptations and accommodations for students with disabilities ….” The 2% rate appears to be the Dept. of Ed’s understanding of what constitutes a reasonable adaptation. When administrative agencies make interpretations of statutes they are charged with administering, they can be reviewed and overturned by the courts. The courts are most deferential to administrative interpretations when an agency uses rulemaking procedures as the Dept. of Ed. will do in this case. Mere disagreement with the policy choice is not grounds to strike down the interpretation. Rather, it requires a court to find either the statute was not ambiguous (hence the interpretation is incongruous) or the statute was ambiguous and the policy is unreasonable. Here, the statute’s use of “reasonable” makes it ambiguous. Nothing I’ve read suggests the 2% rate is unreasonable. Assuming things go as planned and it becomes a federal regulation, the opponents of the regulation will have to either a) get Congress to change the language of the statute or b) elect a President willing to make a change. Neither option is a likely winner, so the time to be heard is during the rulemaking process where one can comment, offer amendments, or object.

2005-05-16T08:30:00.000-05:00

Graduation Day 2005

Tablet PCs a view from a techno-lawyer

2005-04-16T11:15:00.000-05:00

Dennis Kennedy (www.denniskennedy.com) is a St. Louis attorney who often writes about technology for lawyers. He offers his thoughts (mostly positive, some negative) about Tablet PCs for Lawyers in this article. Different field but most everything applies with equal force for educators.

eTextbooks, profits to be made?

2005-04-16T10:40:00.000-05:00

I happened to read this post from Tablet PC Education Blog just after reading this story in the Chicago Tribune (free registration). The Trib story is an example of why Tablet PCs and ebooks could be a vehicle of growth for Microsoft.

5 benefits of eTextbooks
1. Accessibility for people with vision, hearing and mobility needs (think of the student with a vision impaired parent)
2. Adaptability by the teacher, whose sense of curriculum sequencing may differ from textbook authors
3. Links within lessons
4. Year-over-year textbooks: as a student progresses he continually adds to his eTextbook. For example, a student at the end of 6th grade has all his math lessons for the year together; 7th grade includes new lessons but the student can go back in the archive to re-familiarize himself with a concept.
5. Less to carry in a backpack

Technology and Tablet PC Education Blog

2005-04-16T10:04:00.000-05:00

I believe the connotative meaning of "technology" includes the idea that technology transcends the routine and ordinary. Therefore, the addition of a regular computer with standard software to a classroom should not be hailed as bringing technology into the classroom. (That is not to say computers in the classroom are not important especially for students who might not have one at home). My definition of technology leads to the statement: All teachers should be using computers though not all teachers are capable of intergrating technology into the classroom.

My brief introduction illustrates why I enjoy the posts at
The Tablet PC Education Blog. My return to teaching will include technology. I don't know the exact form it will take but am monitoring advances in software and hardware. Robert W. Heiny authors a great blog for good information on using the Tablet PC. He's providing a vital service for his readers. I also need to thank him for discussing my job search on his blog (here).

Wanted: well-managed school and school district

2005-03-03T09:36:00.000-06:00

Though I love law school, I'm not convinced that I'll love lawyering as much as I loved teaching. I'm therefore in the job market for math teaching positions. (I would also entertain non-teaching positions that could benefit from my teaching experience and legal schooling). I would appreciate any advice, contact referrals, or other information that any readers might be able to offer. Please email me or comment below.

When I taught middle school math in Woodstock, I also coached 8th grade football and high school track and field (throws coach). I'm very interested in coaching those two sports again. Ideally, I would like to commute to work via public transportation (metra, cta, or pace) from the north side of Chicago. I'm looking for a district that makes smart use of technology and that will be committed to making me a more effective teacher. The district should also have friendly educators who are involved in education issues beyond their immediate jobs.

I believe teachers should measure success in three primary areas: the classroom, the school, and the school district. Student achievement comes first but I can only teach a finite number of student. Hence, my commitment to strengthening the school and school district.

Final comment: I originally planned on continuing to teach while attending law school at night. The decision to attend law school full-time was made after learning that I could attend a top 10 law school. I never felt like I was leaving teaching/education for a new career.

Andy Anderson
bumper76.2031032 [at] bloglines.com

One busy semester

2005-03-03T09:01:00.000-06:00

My last semester in law school and it's the busiest one yet. With so much going on in my life, I've had to push inlocoparentis on to the back burner. Here's a few quick takes on my non-lecture classes and what I'm working on:

"Disability Law" seminar: My paper topic will be a statutory interpretation of IDEA 2004. My focus will be on the changes to the procedural guidelines section. I haven't done a first draft so I don't have any meaningful insights at this time.

"Not-for-profit Institutions" seminar: The professor teams up students with some pre-selected nonprofits for us to write a paper relating to their institution and/or its chosen endeavor. I will be working with the Rehabilitation Instititute of Chicago. Their June board meeting every year focuses on issues in the disability rights movement. The people at RIC are interested in education issues so I'll probably be focusing on the relationship between NCLB and IDEA 2004.

Research assistant for Professor Victor Rosenblum: I took "Administrative Law" and "Law and Education" with professor Rosenblum last spring. Both classes were outstanding. I'm lucky enough this semester to be working for him. He's asked me to spend some time on NCLB from the vantage point of the Department of Education as a federal administrative agency. He sees NCLB as creating bureacracy and wants to know my thoughts on how to cut the fat and save the good parts.

Still lots to do in these last 2 months of school. 72 days until graduation!

January 3 News

2005-01-03T13:36:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Crucial decisions await Dist. 26
Cary e/d had a rough 2004 and nothing says 2005 will start any easier (e.g. picking a new superintendent and continued financial difficulties).

Belleville News-Democrat
Two new middle schools will open this month
Shiloh and East St. Louis each open a new middle school.

Bloomington Pantagraph
The unusual start
Central Illinois schools of higher education disfavor the January start for certain borderline applicants.

Kindergarten plans up for discussion
Unit 5 has full-day kindergarten, while Olympia recently stopped theirs and Prairie Central debates expanding the program used in Chenoa.

Teacher uses writer Poe to break away from traditon
Focus on one Field Crest H/S teacher's assignment of an Edgar Allan Poe project. Students afforded chance to do something different.

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review

Freeport Journal Standard

Tinley Park Daily Southtown

December 15 News (School Report Card Day!)

2004-12-15T13:34:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Schools don't settle for failing scores
Overview of suburban results as reported in school report cards

Tardy test results leave schools scrambling to help students
Getting school report cards in December means there is little time to change prior to this years tests are given.

Demanding standard unfair, educators say
Covers similar territory as articles above. Initial focus on Rolling Meadows h/s.

Schools miffed by TIF extension, won't support it
H/s/d 214 will not support 12-year extension of TIF. TIF creation does not require school approval but the extension is different.

Dist. 204 leader: 3rd school best choice
Indian Prairie Superintendent tells committee it did a good job.

How Central met its testing goals
Naperville Central h/s didn't meet AYP last year, but did this year. Article talks about some of the changes that may have helped.

Most Dist. 204 schools make progress, but look to improve
Indian prairie u/d had 26 of 29 schools make AYP but it's no time to rest on laurels.

No Child Left Behind pits fail against fair
Most DuPage County high schools failed to meet AYP.

Dist. 94 discusses possible U-46 split
West Chicago h/s/d board member floats idea of investigating options such as merger with the high schools that may break away. No further actions planned.

Addison school officials discuss solutions to traffic problems
New money will allow Addison e/d to address some building repairs/alterations.

For schools labeled failing, goals are key
Recaps report cards for several Kane County districts. St. Charles and West Aurora had at least one failing high school. Batavia, Geneva, Kaneland, Burlington did not.

Fox Valley schools get mixed reviews
Another (primarily) Kane County recap.

Fox Valley schools say scores of few hurt many
Focus here is on northern Kane and southern McHenry counties.

Batavia asks to raise school tax rate
Batavia approaches a one billion dollar tax base.

District wants ex-chief charged
Warren Township h/s investigation into student-activity fund irregularities leads to allegations that former principal used money to pay a phone sex company.

Few bad scores hurt all, failing schools say
Schools in Wauconda, Mundelein, and Vernon Hills all give similar reasons for the failing label.

Despite best efforts, schools fail state test
Review of Lake County elementary school results.

Dist. 128 official proposes loan for construction projects
Libertyville-Vernon Hills a/h/s/d s/b member suggests a referendum. One concern for him is lack of sprinkler system at Libertville h/s.

Gavin negotiating to lease school from Lake Zurich
Gavin e/d looks to neighboring district for a building while it rebuilds a school shuttered because of structural defects.

Lindenhurst to refund part of school's water bill
Students use less water these days. Article notes Milburn e/d new school will be k-8.
-Andy's comment: on this day filled with NCLB news, I was thinking that districts would be building smaller schools because there would be less chance of having the minimum number of students in subgroup (40 in Illinois). Not that it's a compelling reason to do so--just a thought I had.

School may allow scoreboard ads
Mundelein h/s considers contract to build several scoreboards, ostensibly with advertisements.

Belleville News-Democrat
School audit finished -- no word on results
Former employee of Edwardsville s/d says she stole money over 4 years. No word on how much.

District 118 fares well in state school tests
Cahokia improves. East St. Louis scores suffer huge drop (some administrators were disciplined last year for inflating scores).

Opinion: Don't let rules hamper learning
Editorial takes issue with federal letter that told school districts that offer NCLB related tutoring that it must contract out the tutoring and can't do it in-house.

Bloomington Pantagraph

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald
Area schools left behind
Overview of McHenry County school results.

D-300 board split on grad requirements
Should all district h/s require same number of credits for graduation.

D-26 examines ISAT highs, lows
Cary e/d has some failing schools.

D-15 official: Scores show 'really nice gains'
McHenry e/d has one failing school.

D-165 board votes to close 2 schools
Marengo a/e/d makes closures official.

Group talks D-19 priorities as growth nears
Alden-Hebron s/d committee on the impending doubling of the school population by 2012.

Decatur Herald & Review
Report card data shows improvement in Illinois schools
Overview of NCLB in light of new school report cards.

Former Robertson principal receives $42,385 award
Fired charter school principal wins case of discrimination before city commission.

Board changes elementary boundaries: Differences to affect 40 percent of students
Decatur revamps elementary boundaries. All school boundaries are now contiguous. No school has less than 35% or greater than 65% minority student enrollment.

Freeport Journal Standard

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
South suburban schools improve
Overview of school results.

More kids turn to AP tests to score college credit
Lincoln-Way h/s sees more students taking AP tests and more getting the coveted three, four, or five scores.

December 11 News

2004-12-11T15:02:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Dist. 21 doesn't expect many students to switch schools
Wheeling e/d has some failing schools but many do not receive Title I funds. Of the ones that do, no rush by parents to transfer their kids to higher achieving schools.

2 boards conflict, office says
Incompatability of offices for Batavia resident. State's attorney opinion says a person cannot be both a county board member and a school board member.

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph
Opinion: Give these students an 'A'
Kudos for Olympia students who raised money for their principal whose house was damaged in a recent fire.

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald
Opinion: Tactics drive D-158 recount
Northwest Herald thinks the Huntly referendum recount wasted time and money but that it's purpose was to keep the opposition in the public's eye.

Decatur Herald & Review
Hit the books or hit the bricks? New teachers face annual job quandary
Article explains Decatur s/d's need to annually RIF (reduction in force) teachers.

Freeport Journal Standard

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
Recycling school plans quick, easy
Ridgeland s/d will use old blueprints for new school.

Tutoring laws skirted, official says
11 Illinois districts told to stop offering in-house tutoring with federal money.

Deficit won't affect SD 170's programs
Chicago Heights s/d financial situation

December 9 News

2004-12-09T09:50:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
District 26 leans against tax hike vote
The s/b for River Trails e/d appears ready to not ask for a tax rate increase in April 2005.

Rights group likes U-46's plans so far
It seems that all the advocacy groups view the U-46 "equity enhancement" actions cautiously. Some are cautiously optimistic while others lean towards pessimism.

District 62 parents, teachers fear arts on chopping block
Des Plaines e/d will have at least 1.5 million in budget cuts.

Dist. 25 officials see positive snapshot of schools
All Arlington Heights e/d schools met AYP minimums.

District 214 readies for arts celebration
H/s/d's yearly celebration will take place in March.

District 33 eager to fill vacancy on board
West Chicago e/d needs someone to fill out the remaining 6 months of the term.

Geneva schools panel scratches new boundary options
Tough times for the boundary committee and Geneva cusd officials.

St. Charles schools target new objectives
29 measurable outcomes to go along with the new vision statement. Next step is to determine 29 accountability measures.

Beat goes on aboard buses
Woodland e/d s/b reverses Superintendent's decision. Christmas carols may be played on school bus radios.

Students, teachers fall mysteriously ill
No final word yet but the suspect is pizza.

District 41 may adopt 'play for fun' sports code
S/b for Lake Villa e/d wants smiles on faces after an athletic event. It's investigating a policy to promote that goal even it means winless sports teams.

-Andy's comment: I'd disagree with the board president's apparent position that learning to be part of a team and striving for victory are mutually exclusive. I would say that coaches need reminders to teach kids that the non-starters are important to a successful team (i.e. they help the starters during practice and of course have to be ready when needed). Being a team member sometimes means letting the better prepared and/or more talented people play.

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph
Unit 5 looks at bus routes
Almost decision time if the s/b hopes to save 10% of transportation budget through new bus routes and school start times.

Educators: School report cards need work
Bloomington-Normal area educators weigh in on how the redesigned process for ISBE's school report cards.

Dunn wants to make documents user-friendly
Companion article to the above. Here it is the State Superintendent talking about the improvements and improvement process.

District 87 board reviews BJHS plans
Bloomington cusd s/b meeting focused on increasing size of junior high and improving an elementary school's test scores.

Prairie Central to discuss full-day kindergarten
S/b wants residents to have infromation.

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald
Schools try to balance cultures for holidays
Article surveys how some McHenry County schools or districts handle religion during the holiday season.

Group aims to simplify finances
Group of residents of Cary e/d want to simplify finance discussions.

Money part of D-47 start-time decision
Crystal Lake e/d considers ways to save money.

Decatur Herald & Review
School boards across state vote support for aims of House bill that would increase funding
Article discusses HB750 though it doesn't mention any s/b that oppose the bill.

Freeport Journal Standard

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
School, union hit tentative contract
Evergreen Park c/h/s/d and its teachers, et al. have reached a 5-year agreement.

Park district may get hit by schools' cost reductions
New Lenox s/d officials consider raising school building use fees or closing them to after school groups outright.

Teacher lauded for playing it safe
Glenwood e/s teacher wins award for work with Risk Watch, a group working to keep kids safe from the most likely dangers.

School bus crashes into home
Nobody injured. Third time the same house has been hit by a vehicle.

December 8 News

2004-12-08T15:48:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Dist. 54 seeks fix for four schools
Schaumburg Township e/s/d works to bring all schools up to adequate yearly progress (4 of 27 fell short last year).

Residents hear case
Arlington Heights e/s/d makes its case for a referendum, should the s/b vote to place it on the ballot next April. S/d officials see the referendum as a way to refinance old debt.

U-46 to study success of new map
U-46 committee to review and monitor the results of massive boundary changes instituted this year.

Elgin parents say U-46 bias battle not over
Potential plaintiffs say they will consider legal options if school boundary changes prove to be inequitable to minorities and/or low-income students.

High school's cost put at $90 million
Indian Prairie s/d solution to impending h/s space problem is to build a third h/s. $90 million total does not include land acquisition--total cost would be $120 million.

Plan has no road to middle school
Developer has a plan but Geneva s/d officials want an access road to a proposed middle school.

Residents review plans for Batavia High growth
$65 million estimate for improvements/enlargement in Batavia. S/b will decide whether referendum will be in April 2005 or 2006.

U-46 veteran to head new school
High school that opens in 2005 now has a principal.

Dist. 46 board wants programs back
Grayslake e/d wants to restore programs that have been cut. Voters keep voting down referendums.

Recount swings only five votes for Dist. 158 tax hike
Huntley residents opposed to tax increase still have options but not many. Recount actually increased the margin of victory of the "yes" voters.

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald
District 156 attendance rate lags
McHenry h/s/d is 1.5 percentage points below the state average.

D-165 fields questions on school closings
Marengo e/s/d officials see closings as way to save money and stave off future disruptions.

Decatur Herald & Review

Freeport Journal Standard

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
Judge: Let BB-gun boy in school
Permanent injunction stopping enforcement of 2-year suspension that was handed down by Sauk Village e/s/d. Student may return to school.

More noise than junior high kids can handle
New Lenox s/d concerned about noise impact of I-355 expansion.

December 1 News

2004-12-01T22:26:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Dist. 155 superintendent ready to retire
Crystal Lake a/h/s/d

Opinion: School district moves against the trend
Fox River Grove e/s/d

Opinion: Violence down, but keep guard up
Editorial about school violence figures.

Schools unite against explicit dancing
Naperville and Indian Prairie

Site for Hubble school could be in city's hands
Wheaton-Warrenville unit district

Dist. 204 panel strikes 2 options
Indian Prairie

District 203 board president, member seeking re-election
Naperville

Gavin considers confusing tax vote
Gavin s/d

Belleville News-Democrat
State's top educator lauds new direction
State Superintendent visits charter school

Bloomington Pantagraph

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald
McHenry schools group targets communication
e/d

With tight budget, D-26 reviews roof repairs
Cary e/d

Opinion: District 47 flip could be a flop
Crystal Lake e/d might flip the current start times; elementary students would start at 7:45 and middle schoolers at 9:10

Decatur Herald & Review

Freeport Journal Standard
School funding moves to head of the class

Tinley Park Daily Southtown

November 30 News

2004-11-30T11:24:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Dist. 204 residents want answers
Article paints the Indian Prairie committee meeting as leaving people with lots of questions. In other words, how much will the new facilities (high school) cost and where will they (it) be.

Sharon! Prove this theorem! How Ozzy Osbourne is helping West Chicago High
West Chicago h/s geometry teacher discovers a mnemonic device for remembering a geometry concept, "EAT BAT". Discovery leads to Ozzy Osbourne day.

Dist. 26 sees brighter financial future
Cary e/d staves off deficits until 2007.

Parent group wants to diversify
A District 300 advocacy group wants to increase membership from its core of 25.

Opinion: Lessons of failed school-funding bill
Editorial echoes a piece that ran in Monday's newspaper.

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph
Writer fosters love of poetry in students
A full-time traveling poet visits a Mahomet e/s.

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald
Thieves hit 2nd school in week
Thefts at Crystal Lake high schools.

Convincing voters not an easy task
McHenry e/d's continued financial woes may require another referendum. If so, it would be the fifth straight time the district has placed one on the ballot. Article outlines ideas for getting to "yes."

Decatur Herald & Review
Honoring heroes: Wall at Enterprise School was inspired by Vietnam memorial
Decatur school honors heroes. In particular, an alumnus who died in Iraq.

Freeport Journal Standard

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
School out to ID sex offenders
Lockport e/s runs visitor's driver's license through a machine in order to check against registered sex offender lists.

Cops: Teen stabbed bully
Thorntown Township h/s freshman stabs a senior alleged to be a bully.

School fundraisers want a voice
An elite group heads up a committe that supports Chicago Public School's Renaissance 2010. Article mentions that the law firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal has applied to open a law firm.

This driving lesson brought to you by ...
Oak Lawn cusd considers placing advertisements on its drivers education cars.

SD 215 facing testing hurdle
Thorton Fractional h/s/d makes adequate yearly progress but next year is already a concern.

Disappointing Career Advice for future teachers from Northern Illinois University

2004-11-29T22:19:00.000-06:00

The advice (dated 2/11/03) from the Career Planning and Placement Center at Northern Illinois University includes this (scroll down to page 4 and look for the frowny face) piece of "wisdom": "Omit your GPA: A very high GPA may indicate intolerance for or impatience with slower students. A teacher who has an easy time with subject matter may not understand the struggles of a slower student."

While the CPPC at NIU may be responding to market forces and the real blame lies with the school administrators doing the hiring, it still seems incongruous for a university career center to advise high achieving students to omit that fact. In effect, NIU is an enabler. It is helping school districts turn away presumably smart, literate teacher candidates. Indeed, those teachers are the very ones who should be hired. See Increasing the Odds: How Good Policies Can Yield Better Teachers from the National Council on Teacher Quality (www.nctq.org).

November 29 News

2004-11-29T18:26:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
School funding debate a political hot potato
Article attempts to straighten out the information (some of it snopes worthy) floating around about HB750.

Referendum panel wants public input

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph
Ecology students win state 'green' award

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald
Response to open houses pleases D-200
Woodstock estimates a need for 6 new schools as enrollment is projected to increase by 4,000 over the next eight years.

District 15 wraps up canvass
McHenry e/d

District 300 tax rate could drop

D-158 gets ready for new schools

D-200 students waiting for mentors

Decatur Herald & Review

Freeport Journal Standard

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
SD 215 facing testing hurdle

November 24 News

2004-11-24T08:16:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
New courses, higher fees planned for Dist. 214's summer school
Title says it all

Most of Dist. 62 board for the taking this spring
Des Plaines elem. dist. school board will have 5 of 7 seats in the election next spring with only 3 incumbents running again.

A facelift for Waubonsie?
A tour of the older of Indian Prairie's two high schools shows some areas it lags behind the newer one.

Glenbard schools to trim tax proposal
Glenbard high school district s/b will probably ask voters for less money than they did in the just failed referendum. Article reports different scenarios for making do with less money.

Hinsdale coach hit with 2nd sex count
A new indictment for a coach and teacher in Hinsdale HS district. DuPage County State's Attorney is upset with the district about an internal investigation conducted 4 years ago based upon an anonymous caller's tip. The internal investigation turned up nothing.

Dist. 204 eyes new space solution
The Indian Prairie referendum committee continues its work on finding the space to house students.

Batavia debates how to balance schools
2 elementary schools are crowded, one has extra space. How to redistribute equitably is the question.

Gavin releases letters with contractors over problems with trusses
School offiicals want to show that they tried to settle before taking the contractor to court. Gavin Central School will be demolished and then rebuilt.

Emmons leader to stay for another year
Antioch area e/d superintendent will stay for one more year.

Fox River Grove Dist. 3 teachers get new contract
S/b approves 3-year contract. No wage increase this year, 1.5 % the second, and 2.5 % the third. Other benefits omitted.

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald
Prairie Ridge staff feast on student-prepared meal
Custodial and support staff get a free meal.

D-165 approves building lease
Marengo e/d modifies schools to maximize use and save money. Old high school is leased to the high school district.

D-158 results secure
Huntley group opposed to the recently victorious referendum will need a lawsuit to overturn the result. Requesting (and paying for) a recount simply serves as quasi-discovery.

Decatur Herald & Review
School board continues hashing out boundary plans
Decatur s/b debates 2 scenarios for elementary school boundaries.

Freeport Journal Standard
Former Orangeville teacher awaits sentencing
Teacher has already plead guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual assault.

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
Nine proposals submitted to run Tarkington School
Article looks at several of the proposals for this Chicago school currently being built as a green school (recycled materials, etc.)

Illinois High School Football Championships

2004-11-23T20:29:00.000-06:00

In my opinion, there is no better spectator experience than high school football.

I saw my alma mater lose a heartbreaker to Freeport in the 2nd round this year. Batavia never punted and dominated with their return team but alas multiple, unsuccessful trips into the red zone proved their undoing.

In week 8, I watched players I had coached at Olson Middle School in Woodstock lose to Cary-Grove. Two weeks later Woodstock would almost upend C-G in the first round of the playoffs. The Trojans will face Libertyville in the championship on Saturday.

High school football is the best because I feel no qualms about rooting for Cary-Grove. If my favored team can't be there, then I want someone from the conference to be (unless its the arch-rival). Best of luck. I'll be listening to the broadcast via www.ihsa.org

Another Saturday matchup is Morris versus Joliet Catholic (both teams are 13-0). These teams have met often in the playoffs (geographically they're not too far from one another). I believe Joliet Catholic has the most state championships but Morris has a few of its own and is always a powerhouse. Morris has a player named Jon Dergo whose stats I looked for each Saturday morning. With very little exaggeration his stat line every week was 11 carries, 183 yards, 3 or 4 touchdowns. I assume his dad is George Dergo, the assistant football coach and head wrestling coach. I always liked coach Dergo so I wish the best for his team and his son this weekend.

November 23 News

2004-11-23T19:25:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Dist. 214 to raise driver education class cost
If the school board okays it, the fee will be $350.

Dist. 220 to delay new school tax vote
Barrington will not ask for money for a new school until 2006. However, an operating fund tax increase is still being considered for next April.

Recount next for Huntley schools
A referendum yes vote by 145 votes out of nearly 16,000. Residents have asked for a recount.

Dist. 87 told less tax means more votes
Voters express the reasons they voted against the November referendum (obvious from the title).

Dist. 204 on track with new school
The 22nd elementary school for Indian Prairie is now under construction.

Dist. 45 dad wants kids to have safe havens
Father wants to revive a "blue star" program. Homes displaying blue stars inform children that it is a safe house. Program stopped after paying for background checks of homeowners became an issue.

Referendum committee members to tour Dist. 204 schools
Indian Prairie committee surveys the district's two high schools as well as newly opened Oswego East.

Geneva schools look at tax hike
The deficit keeps shrinking but is still there.

School board sees dark future
Kaneland schools will need to cut 3.1 million in costs if April referendum fails.

Developments show need for more schools
St. Charles school board will need to decide whether to ask for the money to open a 13th elementary school and anothe middle school.

Woodland may trade buses for parking
It would cost about $4,000 to create new parking spots at an elementary school. Buses currently parked there would have to go somewhere else.

Belleville News-Democrat
O'Fallon saves taxpayers a bundle
$535,000 windfall through refinancing two bonds.

Edwardsville OKs bonds for school repairs
$5.2 million in new bonds however the board expects the overall tax rate to be lower.

Bloomington Pantagraph

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald
District 300 refuses tax-rebate plan
School board, by unanimous vote, denies request from commerical developer for financial incentives.

Decatur Herald & Review

Freeport Journal Standard

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
T.F. South gets rid of flag images
Overlooked confederate flag imagery is removed from a school that removed the flag from its logo in 1993.

SD 157C banking on selling parcel of land
Frankfort schools look to sell some real estate assets.

Keeping track of behavior problems
District 230 has implemented a "progressive discipline point system".

November 17 News

2004-11-17T13:35:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Dist. 23 takes big loss in grants
Prospect Heights elementary district loses, inter alia, Title I funding. Total lost for all grant reductions is $100,000.

Dist. 62 swears in new board member to fill vacant seat
Des Plaines elementary district school board's new member is a parent of children in the district.

Dist. 62's projected cuts keep growing
Des Plaines elementary district will have to find new budget cuts as estimated shortfall grows to 2.8 million from 2 million.

District 21
Playground inspection report for Wheeling Township elementary district reveals some concerns. One school's PTO has formed a subcommittee to pursue replacing its equipment.

Naperville on the curriculum
Article outlines one aspect of Naperville grade school curriculum-learning about Naperville itself.

Dist. 203 again tweaks drinking party policy
The Naperville high school(s) co-curricular participation code now distinguishes the punishments for students who attend parties with alcohol (but don't drink) and students who drink.

Dist. 203 members won't run again
Two Naperville school board members will not seek re-election.

Dist. 204 space fix could be a new Waubonsie
Still more options for addressing a future classroom crunch in Indian Prairie school district. For prior articles look here and here.

Sugar Grove raises fees on developers
As a result of Sugar Grove village board actions, Kaneland schools will now receive larger and more impact fees from developers. Transition fees are also being considered.

U-46 weighs safety against civics in schools
Should schools not serve as polling places if students are present?

New Batavia High group to assess tax hike
Committee forms to discuss paying for the facilities to meet future needs.

Schools may hire consultant to upgrade image
Grayslake elementary district believes positive public relations may help gain approval for a tax rate increase.

Citizens group criticizes e-mail from union
Citizens for Responsible Government representative thinks the possible misspending of tax money is bottomline issue. He calls on employees to cooperate with the investigation.

Dist. 96 seeks to change rules
Buffalo Grove-Long Grove school board wants to amend the Illinois school code so that parents, who lose a case before a hearing officer, can be assessed the districts' attorneys' fees.

Grant High hears renovation pitches
Architect firms offer proposals for renovations.

How can Dist. 158 best spend its new funds?
Huntley has some new money after a successful referendum but several pressing concerns.

Residents worried about lack of transition fees
New housing development in Huntley has no provision for transition fees as the original village/developer agreement was finalized before such fees became common.

Dist. 156 won't call hockey a school sport
McHenry high school district denies recognition of hockey because of its concerns about potential liability.

Belleville News-Democrat
Unit 10 to look at mergers
Collinsville school board members will consider a call for consolidating/closing some elementary schools.

Students help needy
Belleville East high school student club, Distributive Education Clubs of America, helps area families in need.

Bloomington Pantagraph
Clinton district reviews $6.5 million facility plan
Review of school board business including a plan for consolidating/closing elementary schools. Also, board will seek to pass a referendum in April.

Blue Ridge superintendent wants to lower taxes
A 29-cent decrease in operating levy and a 13-cent increase in bond and interest levy yields a net decrease of 16 cents. Board will vote in December.

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review
Decatur school board explores boundaries
Several considerations from desegregation policy to magnet schools to neighborhood schools affect how the district will proceed.

Freeport Journal Standard
Superintendent wins his appeal
7th Circuit decision: Warren school district did not offer due process to former superintendent when it fired him.

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
Lemont High School Engines? Massacre? T-Rexes?
Committee will decide a new mascot to replace "Injuns."
Andy's take: I found the homophonic suggestion of "Engines" to be clever.

November 16 News

2004-11-16T17:37:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Committee recommends moving kids from Grove Jr. High
Committee looking into lack of classroom space in Elk Grove offers recommendations to either a) move 2 classrooms of special education students or b)change the school boundaries so that children in a mobile home park attend a different school.

Defeated District 62 divided on when to try again at polls
Des Plaines elementary district's school board appears to be split on when to offer another referendum. The President is hesitant to try again in April 2005.

Dist. 23 sees tax request ahead
Prospect Heights elementary district may have to seek a referendum in 2007. Bonds set to retire in 2008 means additional operating tax rate will not affect property taxes.

Fremd follows rules on lowering American flag
High school in Palatine is correctly following guidelines by refusing to lower flag to half-staff in honor of 2000 alumnus killed in action in Iraq.

Hersey principal to retire; 'change is good,' she says
High school in Arlington Heights will lose its principal. New principal will be hired after a new superintendent is chosen.

No pop sales during school in District 203
Naperville school board has spoken.

Dist. 41 not ready for tax vote for new school
Glen Ellyn elementary district school board decides to wait until the December meeting to decide whether the district should seek a referendum next April.

Dist.202 welcomes newest member
Lisle unit district has new member of school board. New member will serve the remaining 5 months of a resigned member's term.

Superintendent wants builders to pay up
Burlington Central unit district Superintendent is lobbying for transition fees from home developers.

U-46 gives OK to try debit cards
Elgin area district looks to save money by reducing purchase order overhead. New program is just a pilot.

Board approves appointment of director of technology for district
West Aurora hires someone new.

Gurnee: How will probe affect workers
District and union work to ensure that an investigation into potential abuses of student activity fund monies doesn't violate any employees' rights.

April school tax question likely
Grayslake elementary district needs increase in education fund in order to operate a new school.

New Libertyville High principal comes full circle
New principal started his career at Libertyville in 1991.

Post-prom parent group wanes
Antioch parent group will disband after planning one more post-prom event.

Students trounce adults in holiday trivia
Gages Lake elementary school happening.

Dist. 300 taps finance expert to fill board seat until April
Former parent volunteer is now serving out a term on the school board.

Belleville News-Democrat
Program allows high school students to tell children about payoff of hard work
Program promotes positive character development and decision-making. Here it's Belleville West high school football and cheerleading team members visiting a kindergarten class.

Coalition pushes merging of smaller schools
Collinsville Unit 10 committee suggests among other things that 9 elementary schools is inefficient.

Bloomington Pantagraph

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review
Southeast School turns Monday over to reading; students eager to keep turning pages
Decatur school in the midst of reform has a day devoted to reading.

Freeport Journal Standard

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
Homer Glen school closes after student death
District feared the death was due to bacterial meningitis but preliminary autoposy rules that out.

Evergreen Park SD 231 teachers march for new contract
March coincides with first mediation.

Opinion: Another expulsion flap in Sauk Village district
Newspaper believes there is a pattern by Sauk Village school officials of denying students an education.

November 15 News

2004-11-15T14:47:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
District 25 community invited to talk finances
-state of district finances meeting hosted by school district and Arlington Heights Council of PTAs

Magnet school on the table in District 204
Indian Prairie considers an alliance with either College of DuPage or North Central College as a solution for a future space crunch. Any proposal is still in the very early stages.

Soda sales, drinking parties at issue tonight in Dist. 203
To offer soda or not to offer soda, that is the question. Naperville school board will also consider punishment for non-imbibers caught at parties with alcohol.
-Note: This issue is highly controversial in Naperville due to a unique city ordinance. Look here.

Batavia cheerleaders gear up for regionals
Batavia finishes both in first place and second from last.

Playoff defeat doesn't get volleyball team down
St. Edwards (Elgin) volleyball gets a parade for fourth place finish in the state.

Little man on campus
A 10-year old takes honors classes at Antioch High School.

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph
High school donating 18 tons of potatoes
A tragedy is the underlying story behind Paxley-Buckley-Loda High School having all those potatoes.

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review

Freeport Journal Standard
New ID cards to be issued to Stockton students
Program offered to pre-k to fifth graders.
-Andy's take: I'm not exactly clear what this program does.

Opinion: Celebrating Public Education
Superintendent of Freeport unit district, Dr. Peter Flynn, offers up thoughts at the start of American Education week.

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
Looking for a few good women
Engineers speak to girls about their careers at the all-girls Queen of Peace High School (Burbank).

Walking the extra mile
Students at an alternative special education school raise money to support Malawis orphaned due to AIDS pandemic.

More cuts in SD 205 to save baseball [and softball]
The IHSA voted to not allow co-op baseball and softball teams for Thornton Township High School district. School board will have to find other ways to trim costs.

Teacher, runners chop down weeds and uncover plethora of nature's gems
Burbank high school teacher makesover an abandoned area on the campus of Reavis High School into a nature area and cross country running course.

Middle school work begins with finish expected in 2005
Crete-Monee middle school adds classroom space among other amenities.

Homewood board to review field trip policy
No policy addresses the process for approving overnight out-of-state field trips.

Student parking annoys residents
Residents near Lockport High School wonder why so many students park along residential streets.

Education support personnel RIF case

2004-11-14T09:39:00.000-06:00

Cook v. Bd. of Educ. of El Dorado Community Unit Sch. Dist. No. 4, No. 5-03-0572 (Ill. App. 5th Dist. 2004)

Plaintiff-Appellant worked as a teacher's aide for four years and a library aide for one. Her last job prior to the reduction-in-force was as the library aide. The school district placed her on the library aide recall list (though it gave here seniority credit for all years worked). Plaintiff brought suit claiming the district treated the two positions the same meaning the district must either place her name on both the teacher aide and library aide recall lists or make one list. The Appellate Court held the language of 105 ILCS 5/10-23.5 gives discretion to school boards to determine the "category[ies] of positions" for laying off education support personnel. However, plaintiff's allegations that the positions were normally treated the same meant there was an issue of fact regarding the district's placement of plaintiff on the library aide list. Remanded to the trial court. A separate part of the opinion interpreting a contract between the plaintiff and the school district is omitted.

November 13 News

2004-11-13T17:33:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
District 41 weighs referendum delay

Lisle school board picks candidate to fill vacancy

North celebrates girls state cross country title

Facility fee waived for 2 Grayslake boosters

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review

Freeport Journal Standard

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
SD 113A urged to build school

Longtime use of lot questioned as doubts arise over ownership

Thanks to Eduwonk and a little bit about In Loco Parentis

2004-11-13T17:26:00.000-06:00

I use bloglines as my newsreader and sometimes it can be a little slow. I just saw the mention of my blog on Eduwonk. Thanks. This blog is still evolving but right now there is a tangible benefit for me in my career to stay current with what's going on in Illinois districts, particularly suburban Chicago districts. Not sure who else could benefit but I think the list would include school administrators, school law attorneys, and real estate brokers (and home buyers).

November 11 News

2004-11-11T13:50:00.000-06:00

Veteran's Day

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Dist. 59 board member won't seek re-election
Elk Grove elementary school board member won't run again after serving 2 terms. Major decision prior to any newly elected board will be what to do about overcrowded junior high.

Dist. 62 lays out criteria for new leader
Des Plaines Elementary district looks for a new superintendent. Both district 62 and district 26 hired the same search firm.

District 62 board member resigns
Des Plaines Elementary district loses a board member because it was taking away too much time from his family.

Officials say Chicago teacher paid students for sex
Story about a teacher who has been arrested.

Student expelled for bringing gun to school
Prospect Heights elementary district expels a fifth grader for one-year. But undisclosed conditions could be met that would allow him to return sooner.

Lincoln Junior High salutes 'true heroes'
Ceremony honors all veterans but in particular a Lincoln alum killed last month in Iraq.

Geneva school boundary committee starts discussion by gathering facts
Possible redrawing of k-5 boundaries begins with gathering information.

Hoover-Wood might be tight
Batavia elementary school may have too many students while a nearby school has extra room.

Some ups, downs in Kaneland test scores
A "mixed-bag" of results looking year-to-year in Kaneland. Most students were above the state averages.

District 129 set on classroom space until 2014, study shows
West Aurora district doing well space wise.

Students salute with songs and flowers
Carpentersville school honors veterans.

Belleville News-Democrat
Supreme Court takes up student transfer case
Illinois Supreme Court takes up a case involving a petition for detachment. The group of students currently attend East St. Louis schools and would be annexed into Collinsville schools.

Bloomington Pantagraph
Unit 5 tax rate may be heading higher
McLean county district may raise tax rate 3 cents.

Architect's numbers confirm BJHS space crunch
Preliminary report shows the shortcomings of the current Bloomington Junior High.

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review

Freeport Journal Standard
A day for our heroes
Joint presentation for students of Freeport and Aquin high schools.

Paramedics educate Carl Sandburg school students on ins and outs of being an EMT
Freeeport sixth graders have after-school club to talk and learn about the importance of education.

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
S. Side teacher accused of paying boys for sex
Different article about same story.

SD 205 urged to try again
Thorton high school district looks at a new referendum after losing last week's by approximately 1700 votes.

Bloom Township SD 206 again lowers its tax levy
Possibly a slight tax break to Bloom high school district residents.

November 10 News

2004-11-10T13:39:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Nearly $3 million in rehab planned at Dist. 220 schools
Barrington outlines maintenance work at nearly a dozen schools.

Dist. 204 panel has enrollment estimates to go with
Indian Prairie committee has determined future enrollment numbers. Next step is to figure out the facilities needed (and how much money).

Dist. 204 will oppose state education funding bill
Indian Prairie school board votes to oppose HB750.

Aptakisic-Tripp reorganizes district administration
School district adds a central office administrator.

Gym may be added to new Grayslake campus sooner than later
With tradesmen already on site, cheaper to add-on now rather than in two years.

Mundelein High vows to balance budget
Promise to balance the budget starting with 2006-07 fiscal year.

Parents want a bit of everything in leader
Cary parents want a lot from any new superintendent.

Belleville News-Democrat
Writing from the heart: East senior honored
Belleville student wins award.

Bloomington Pantagraph
Superintendents concerned with meeting student needs
Pontiac grade school and Pontiac high school supers discuss their districts. Both support HB750.

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review
School district has new online tool to help manage finances
Decatur public schools new software.

Freeport Journal-Standard

Tinley Park Daily Southtown

November 9 News

2004-11-09T20:58:00.000-06:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Uncertainty clouds talk of Dist. 220 referendum
A week after a tax increase defeat, Barrington board members are wondering if they should ask in April.

District 214 likely to see same faces next election
Three of four school board member incumbents are definitely running for re-election next April. The fourth is leaning towards running again.

Dist. 87 seeking parents' input before referendum
Glenbard High school district board members are considering another referendum. And like Barrington, the board is coming off a losing referendum.

Districts left waiting for state funds
Three elementary districts wait for state action on construction grants; money promised to the districts two years ago.

How COD could help Dist. 204 crowding
Local community college and Indian Prairie Unit District may be close to symbiosis with respect to a new construction.
My take: I support increased opportunities at community colleges but wondered about the feasibility of this statement by the Indian Prairie Superintendent: "Every student in our district should have the opportunity to complete one semester of college before graduating from high school"

Kaneland maps possible cuts
Third times the charm. Another school board looking to April after losing a referendum in November.

New English program proposed in St. Charles
School board considers changing the high school humanities/English program.

New signs warn that law sees crimes near schools differently
St. Charles school officials and police team up to give notice that stiffer penalities are attached to crimes committed within 1000 feet of schools.

Grayslake school board sees good things in audit
Grayslake elementary district won a construction bond referendum but lost the education fund tax increase. The annual audit reveals improving fortunes.

Mundelein High may strengthen control of funds
A High school district is working to prevent any misspending in student activity activity funds.

School board activity funds get closer look
Ditto the folks at Libertyville-Vernon Hills high school district.

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review

Freeport Journal-standard

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
SD 168 fights to keep boy from school
Sauk Village district in court battle to maintain 2 year expulsion for 9-year old who brought pellet gun to school.

Thornton SD 205 weighs 3rd try for funds
Theme for today is school boards looking to April referendums. This article has a limited discussion of HB750.

November 8 Education news

2004-11-08T13:35:00.000-06:00

Arlington HeightsDaily Herald
Hersey hopes to arm parents to fight drugs
Evening event at Arlington Heights high school. Panel will present stories involving teenage drug use.

Activities factor into Dist. 204 size debate
Indian Prairie is still growing and its high schools are dealing with high demand and limited supply of some extracurricular opportunities. A committee is meeting to discuss what path to take.

Looking for trends in drug deaths
Article discusses the situation in Kane County and their drug court.

Waubonsie wins Powder Puff Bowl - again
Title says it all.

Belleville News-Democrat
Exchange program gives high-schoolers window into German culture
Title refers to only one snippet from this article featuring a hodgepodge of good things in local districts.

Opinion: Don't gamble on education
"Many of the people who gamble away their paychecks are parents with children in our public schools."

Bloomington Pantagraph
Student brings lessons full circle
A local man gives a gift to his elementary school library.

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald
Tax fight persists in D-158
Huntley voters passed the tax levy referendum but the opposition may still win the war by electing a anti-tax slate of school board members next April.

Decatur Herald-Review

Freeport Journal-Standard
Area schools weigh soda availability
Northwest Illinois districts implement varying soda policies. (Part 2 of 2)

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
Diverse district is up to the task of ensuring its immigrant students achieve
Arabic, Spanish, and Lithuanian are languages most common for students in Ridge Lawn's English Language Learner program.

Cal Park schools ask for help making cuts
First public discussion about the poor financial status of a Calumet Park Elementary school district.

October 18 News

2004-10-18T14:41:00.000-05:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
How bad is Dist. 158's cash flow problem?
A sort of continuation of a prior article about the Tax Increase vote in Huntley. This one looks at the problem as one of cash flow.

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph
Director: Olympia busing improves
Fewer students have bus rides over an hour this year.

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
Fun for a cause
Lockport High schoolers use homecoming week to raise money for those impacted by hurricanes.
Can 8th period combat overcrowding?
Lincoln-Way East high school may need to alter its schedule in a couple of years as it will exceed capacity.

October 17 News

2004-10-17T11:17:00.000-05:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
What will a U-46 split cost taxpayers?
Newspaper study about costs for the residents of a new district (primarily serving Bartlett) and those who remain in U-46 (primarily Elgin)
Hold failing student back or not?
Parent believes his 8th grader was "socially promoted" and is being public about his unhappiness with the situation in hopes of educating others about what and why things happen.
The school safety dance
Outlines debate over current status quo where Regional Office of Education inspects new school construction.
School faces permit problem
A school that had to close after 8 years due to structural problems, is discovered to have never received a full permit for occupancy.
Camp Sixth Grade eases kids' jitters
Anecodatal stories about the results of Barrington's program to ease student transition from elementary to middle school.

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph
Education serious issue for voters
Discusses differences between Bush and Kerry education platforms, as perceived by local voters.
Students bloom with Learning Garden
Elementary school sees success in creating a garden for student and community use.

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review

Tinley Park Daily Southtown

October 16 News

2004-10-16T09:32:00.000-05:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Dist. 25 elementary schools welcome tours
Arlington Heights elementary schools offer tours to residents.

Two school districts get grant to pump up fitness offerings
West Chicago High School and Villa Park Elementary are 2 recipients of the federal grant. The big plans are reminiscient of the "Character Counts" plan in Batavia.

Mom sues Butler District 53 over residency ruling
Oak Brook elementary district wants $90,000 in tuition after hearing officer sided with the district. The mother is requesting administrative review of the school board's decision.

Dist. 204 keeping an eye on enrollment
Indian Prairie k-12 (Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook) district finally gets a break from explosive growth.

Heart of U-46 is on the move
District administration will temporarily set-up shop in the district's new high school, which doesn't open until next fall.

Fremont to update schools' Web site
A Lake County elementary district wants parents to have access to student information via the internet.
-I'd like to suggest that school officials add RSS feeds to their websites.

Mundelein High meeting is focus of state inquiry
Investigation into possible violation of Open Meetings Act.

Six high school students arrested
All action took place off school grounds so McHenry school officials will not be involved.

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review
Project Success gives homeless families stability of school
Example of federal, state, and local program working to get students into school.

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
District dodges strike
Frankfort teachers ratify new contract, board approval is expected.

Judge: Sauk Village boy 'no longer expelled'
10-year old will be allowed back into music and gym classes for now. Other classes will be added as his expulsion case winds it way through the courts.

October 14 news

2004-10-14T15:53:00.000-05:00

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Voters have a say in cuts at Dist. 62
Des Plaines (elementary)

District 15 to ask for tax increase
Palatine elementary

Dist. 200 board defends Hubble school actions
Wheaton

Dist. 129's imperatives same as last year

Larsen school gets a pond

Question missing on some ballots

Reward offered after third bomb scare

Dist. 102 must keep eye on scores in a couple of areas

Emmons considers what to do when leader retires

Schools qualify for state help

5 charged students expelled

Dist. 300 officials discover joy of cola

Belleville News-Democrat
Cahokia bans controversial jewelry

Activist seeks state school funding reforms

Bloomington Pantagraph
District 87 enrollment leveling off

Unit 5 enrollment grows almost 4 percent

Olympia delays future of closed schools

Regional Spotlight: Remodeled auditorium unveiled

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
All Lemont to help school pick a name

Homewood teacher gets $25,000 surprise

SD 118 cuts more from expansion

October 13 News

2004-10-13T08:22:00.000-05:00

New format from Education Week. Inexplicably, the two largest Chicago papers were not included today in the daily news section.

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Dist. 214 thinking over tax money delay
Village of Wheeling wants to extend a TIF district, set to expire in 2009, another 12 years. While the school board holds no "veto" over the project, it makes sense politically for the Village to consult with the school district.

Students meet their Army pen pals
This pen pal program begain in 2002.

Dist. 220 honors commended students
Barrington school board commends 21 students who were named commended students in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Dist. 200's plans for new Hubble are questioned
A Wheaton resident has asked the Attorney General to scrutinize the school board's process with regard to a renovated or new school. Article is vague about what has been asked of the Attorney General's office.

Dist. 204 says loan will not raise taxes
Indian Prairie (primarily Naperville and Aurora) district officials say it can borrow $70 million w/o raising tax rates. The officals reason that a growing tax base will bring in extra money without a tax increase.

Dist. 41 looks at how to alleviate overcrowding
Glen Ellyn schools (k-8 district) are overcrowded. New programs are exacerbated the squeeze. Potential solutions cost between 20 and 24 million.

Choices for new Kaneland school's name down to two
The winner will be either Kaneland McDole Elem. or Kaneland Bertram. Lots of schools being opened (and requiring student votes for their names) out in Kane County.

Dist. 303 approves new vision statement
From St. Charles:

The District 303 school community empowers and inspires all to attain excellence, learn with passion and live with integrity in a changing world.

District backs Character Counts
Recap of Batavia's school board meeting including the big plans for "Character Counts" to permeate the entire community.

Geneva panel to study new boundaries
More growth in Kane County. What to do when the school population moves westward but the schools are back east?

U-46 OKs transfer requests for 51 kids
Interesting article that outlines the costs of NCLB in the context of transportation for this one district primarily located in Elgin. Article didn't mention whether federal funds were available for the extra bus routes.
-The Tribune ran a series of articles tracking one student's progress after transferring schools. I wonder how the U-46 experience will compare.

Warren principal removed for now
Questions about student activity account spending leads school board to put principal on administrative leave.

Antioch athletic complex estimated at $1.5 million
New high school athletic fields on an old landfill site. Can't beat the price.

District 300 officials OK preliminary busing plan
In Algonquin area, a big problem for busing parochial students. I would have to believe the article mistates the district's goal of keeping the bus rides "at least an hour"

Belleville News-Democrat
Parents, students weigh options for O'Fallon High
First of seven community meetings to determine what needs to be done about the problem of 2200 kids in a school built for 1900.

Bloomington Pantagraph
Labor board rules against Unit 5 request
School district had asked that employees be forced to adhere to contract that both sides had intially agreed to in July. An August vote by the Union rescinded the approval. The IELRB denied the request.

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald
State grant surprises D-300
New public act provides a "fast-growth" grant. Windfall slated at $187,500.

Decatur Herald & Review
School board hears report that stresses sense of community in schools
Report from consultant hired to do focus group work in Decatur. Results--community wants diversity, good teachers, and useful skills for life.

Illinois State University Daily Vidette

Tinley Park Daily Southtown
Teachers may vote today on new pact
Frankfort teachers to vote on proposed collective bargaining agreement.

District gets out of complications, but may lose funds
Discusses state funding formula for special education student reimbursement.

Enrollment increase is misleading
Crete-Monee has small overall increase but the reality is a couple of schools saw large jumps. One reason is NCLB required transfers.

Illinois Education News

2004-10-12T18:32:00.000-05:00

FYI: If you want Tier 1 papers then go here.

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Rolling Meadows High will revisit past
Homecoming week!!!!!

Drug forum aims to educate parents
Drug education aimed at Naperville parents. No mention of the H-word.

Don't worry, odor from plant won't harm you
Review of Wauconda school board meeting. The title of the article refers to the waste treatment plant that is located near the k-8 schools.

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review

Illinois State University Daily Vidette

Illinois Education News

2004-10-11T13:37:00.000-05:00

Daily Digest

Arlington Heights Daily Herald
District 158 tax no easy matter
Non-partisan dicing of numbers being volleyed back and forth by those for and against district's tax measure on Nov. 2 ballot

Kaneland referendum group faces uphill battle for votes
Outlines several obstacles the stakeholders most likely to support a tax increse face in a school referendum campaign

Boilers up and running
Updates progress on Antioch Community High School renovation project

Belleville News-Democrat

Bloomington Pantagraph
Editorial: Don't let fear of terrorism put an end to civics lesson
Comments on some parents in Massachusetts petitioning for schools not to be used as polling places

Crystal Lake Northwest Herald

Decatur Herald & Review

Illinois State University Daily Vidette

Illinois Education resources

2004-08-18T20:42:00.000-05:00

I tried to direct link to the publications/resources page, if available

Government sites
Illinois Community College Board (ICCB)
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)

Management sites
Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA)
Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB)--several places to look for articles/news/updates
Illinois Prinicipals Association (IPA)
Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA)
Illinois Council of Community College Administrators (ICCCA)

Labor sites
Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT)
Illinois Education Association (IEA)
Chicago Teachers Union (CTU)
Illinois Community College Faculty Association (ICCFA)

University sites
Office of Community College Research and Leadership (OCCRL at University of Illinois)

the right words at the right time

2004-08-06T19:58:00.000-05:00

I came across part of a quote today--a quote I know well-that affected me in a new way. I think it happened because I only saw part of it, "but by the content of their character." Of course this is the end part of one of MLK's statements in his "I have a dream" speech. Instead of thinking about all the things wrapped up in that speech per usual, this time the line hit me viscerally.

And the new CTU President is ...

2004-08-06T19:53:00.000-05:00

Marilyn Stewart won and then she won again

A deeper analysis of the Chicago Teachers Union

2004-08-03T19:46:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, an ultra-busy summer has kept me from regular updates, but school starts in just a few weeks. My schedule has also kept me away from witnessing any of the court appearances in the Chicago Teachers Union case.

The CTU was the subject of an article by Carole Goddard in the Sunday Trib. I liked the article because it more fully analyzes a dichotomy that I had written about (here).

The civil servant/professional question dovetails into thoughts about the Teach for America program. My experiences as a teacher tell me that some TFA teachers can be as effective as veteran teachers. I also know that my teaching skills developed considerably under the guidance of a great math teacher. I guess I would just like to see civic-minded people have an easier path into teaching and true professionals get paid appropriately. I think both groups have a place in front of a classroom.

A page at the Education Commission of the States (ECS) states "Hawaii is among the states that have elected to take advantage of the potential pool of teacher candidates who attend two-year institutions by establishing teacher preparation programs at the community college level." I think this has the potential to be a great solution. Unfortunately, I've found no corroboration to that statement. If anyone knows anything, please let me know.

Chicago Teachers Union's new President

2004-06-21T19:45:00.000-05:00

I wanted to take a moment to comment on teacher unions. The CTU recently elected a new president. Incumbent Debbie Lynch campaigned with her new unionism where the CTU was active in professional development for educators and in fighting for greater benefits for paraprofessionals. Marilyn Stewart countered with a campaign of "Protect teachers. Enforce the contract. Serve the members." I'm quoting Kate Grossman's Chicago Sun-Times story.

Whereas the ABA is interested in holding lawyers to high standards and the UAW is concerned with keeping its members well-paid and at work, the teachers unions try to do both at the same time. Too often they fail. Under Lynch, more teachers will lose their jobs so the leadership loses the members' confidence. A Stewart led union will make it more difficult to purge personnel but that erodes the public's confidence in the profession. This no-win situation is rooted in the state laws, which are slanted toward unionism. Changes at the top make it seem like things will change but for the rank-and-file teacher it really doesn't matter. If the state laws aren't helping the members, why keep the status quo? If the NEA and AFT cannot survive on their own, then lets not subsidize them.

The Pledge Case

2004-06-15T18:49:00.000-05:00

I just reviewed the "Daily News" section of Education Week. Of course every newspaper carried an article about the Pledge case. While I didn't read all the articles or opinions, a vast majority of the headlines were plainly wrong. For example, "Supreme Court prudently refrains from rewording Pledge of Allegiance." At NO POINT did the Court consider rewriting the text of the federal statute. The question was whether a school district policy mandating daily recitation of the Pledge was constitutional.

This distinction is important because shoddy reporting hinders the average person's ability to understand the decision. First, the standing issue is correct only in the district policy situation (reporting the court's decision as turning on a technicality would be appropriate if this were a purely establishment clause case). Lots of parents would like to undermine the custodial spouse's authority over a child through any avenue available. Even though I believe Mr. Newdow is genuine in his constituional claim, we can probably agree that a court should be wary of entangling itself in child rearing. Or restated, the federal courts should not undermine state court custody decisions. Second, characterizing the case as leaving the words "under God" in the pledge does not identify avenues for people who dislike these policies. Citizens should know that they can ask their state legislators to change the state's mandate. If power was given to the local Boards of Education maybe some Pledge policies would go by the wayside. This is not made clear by sensationalistic headlines.

Rural Schools

2004-06-08T22:21:00.000-05:00

The new issue of Education Week has an article about rural districts and towns competing for residents. It parallels my post from last week.

A Review of Downstate Illinois newspapers

2004-06-02T21:09:00.000-05:00

I hope to keep a statewide perspective on education so I spent some time looking at online news archives. No startling news this time although there are some "crises" here in Illinois.

First, there were numerous stories about school districts vacating buildings due to either declining enrollments, deteriorating buildings or budget cuts. I'm always amazed that journalists still print the mandatory comment from a parent or former student about how it's sad to see the doors close. Always sappy, always unnecessary. Direct your nostaglia to the people who were there with you, not the building itself.

In Farmington (near Peoria) all the various campuses are closing and being replaced with a single k-12 campus. I felt the new school's description worthy to include the link.

According to the Belleville News-Democrat, East St. Louis is vacating old buildings too but in favor of new construction. In the last five years, however, the district has averaged a loss of 300 students per year. I'll guess that more closings are on the horizon.

Second, I thought the problem of "evaporating" towns was a plains states' problem. While not yet to that degree, towns are fighting each other to provide monetary incentives to families who build new homes (read more schoolchildren equals more state money). Here's a story from the Champaign-Urbana area.

Illinois school reform

2004-06-01T20:25:00.000-05:00

SB 3000 is an agreed bill and should pass the final hurdles to become law (the budget stalemate notwithstanding).

Governor Blagojevich was plainly upset with ISBE when he made eviscerating it the central tenet of his "State of the State" speech on January 15. Calmer heads prevailed, but the compromise does cede he and future governors more control over education by changing the timing (terms will now expire soon after an inaugeration) and length (4 years instead of 6) of appointments to ISBE. A problem with the narrow topic of his speech is that one has to wonder, what's on his agenda for the last 7 months of 2004?

I'm doubtful that changes at the top will have much effect on students and their parents. One aspect that should help education is the General Assembly's creation of 6 divisions within ISBE. In reality there will be 4 education divisions (2 of the divisions are internal auditor and human resources). This will be a huge improvement over the current maze of divisions and departments.

One thing to watch for when Blagojevich nominates 7 new members to the reconstituted ISBE is any indication that school finance reform could happen during a 2nd term. He could do worse than selecting a slate of nominees who favor comprehensive change to school funding.

First post so why not acknowledges those already on the web

2004-05-31T17:55:00.000-05:00

This is my first foray into posting on the internet. At least 2 friends are already doing great things on the web:

Chris is at Digital Demand, LLC (service for lawyers) and Brad's at The Heckler (a satirical newspaper "By Cubs Fans, For Cubs Fans"). In the future I hope to do some good things myself. My passion is school/education issues but who knows what topics will come up.