Illinois schools turn to retirees, substitutes, outsourcing & state grants to combat prolonged teacher shortage
Annual educators’ survey showed lack of applicants, salary issues and poor working conditions among main causes.
Tag: education
Midgets no more? Bill would require Freeburg High School to change its mascot
A bill introduced in the Illinois General Assembly would prohibit public schools from using discriminatory references to disabilities as mascots — requiring Freeburg High School to phase out Midgets by 2028. Little people with dwarfism consider the term to be dehumanizing and derogatory. “We don’t want to erase history,” said Shelby Holloway, co-director of Mascots Matter, a national
New Decatur school preparing to welcome students in August
Officials with Decatur Public Schools District 61 announced Tuesday that construction is wrapping up for the building, which is set to replace the American Dreamer STEM Academy.
Dissecting Trump’s proposals for education policies
As part of Illinois Public Media’s special series Four More Years: The View from Illinois, the 21st show takes a look at President-elect Donald Trump’s proposals for education policy.
Capitol Briefs: Lawmakers push bills addressing water quality, free school meals
State’s largest teachers union releases annual education report.
Education secretary praises Springfield after-school program during visit
U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona met Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state school Superintendent Tony Sanders Wednesday at Fairview Elementary School to promote the Education Department’s “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” agenda.
Supreme Court strikes down affirmative action in college admissions, says race cannot be a factor
The Supreme Court has ruled that colleges and universities must stop considering race in admissions, forcing institutions of higher education to look for new ways to achieve diverse student bodies.
Parents fuming over planned changes to Urbana elementary school
Move would likely cause school redistricting for many elementary school students URBANA — At a committee meeting of community members and school administrators, the district superintendent unveiled a possible plan to turn Wiley Elementary school into a sixth grade center. This plan didn’t appeal to many community members. Wiley is closing its doors starting this
Bill calls for review of teacher licensing standards
Task force would review use of edTPA exam.
Only 1 in 3 Illinois 4th graders is a proficient reader. Why are we struggling to teach kids to read
DEKALB — Only one of every three 4th-graders in Illinois is a proficient reader, and that puts the state in the middle of the pack. Reading is not natural. That’s one thing David Paige says a lot of people don’t really understand. He’s a literacy professor and director of the Jerry Johns Literacy Clinic at
As a conservative group criticizes Decatur public school curriculum, locals rally in defense
DECATUR — Illinois now requires every elementary and high school teach a unit on Black History, ranging from African civilizations to U.S. slavery to the Civil Rights movement. This week, Illinois Family Action (IFA), a conservative, Christian group, based in suburban Chicago, held a meeting with about 35 attendees, discussing those changes and attacking the
Educators talk candidly about students and violence at next News, Brews & Beatz forum
CHAMPAIGN – Illinois Public Media is committed to discussions about decreasing gun violence in Champaign-Urbana. Last year, we launched our News, Brews, and Beatz series of conversations. Our next event is Monday, February 21 at 6:00 p.m. Illinois Public Media News Director Reginald Hardwick, who co-moderates these discussions, previewed Monday’s conversation with Morning Edition host
Illinois Bill Requiring Asian American History Education to Address Hate, Discrimination
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois could become the first state to require public schools to teach the history of Asian Americans, a community that reported an increase in anti-Asian hate incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History, or TEAACH Act, would require Illinois K-12 public schools to teach a unit of Asian
Champaign Unit 4 Schools Propose Hybrid In-Person And Distance Learning For Second Quarter
Champaign Unit 4 school officials outlined a plan for a mix of in-person and distance learning for elementary students in the Second Quarter, at Tuesday night’s school board meeting. Since school began in August, Champaign Unit 4 Schools have been operating on an entirely distance learning basis. However, challenges remain, despite efforts to provide students
News Around Illinois – May 19, 2020
Illinois Supreme Court Disbars Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich CHICAGO — Disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been officially disbarred. The Illinois Supreme Court announced on Monday that it revoked Blagojevich’s law license. The announcement was not a surprise, as Blagojevich didn’t even attend a March hearing in which the matter was discussed and indicated