Capitol Briefs: Lawmakers push bills addressing water quality, free school meals
State’s largest teachers union releases annual education report.
Tag: education
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
News Around Illinois – May 12, 2020
Gov. Pritzker’s Office Working From Home After Senior Staffer Tests Positive For COVID-19 CHICAGO – Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Monday that his office is working from home after a senior staffer tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member is reportedly asymptomatic, but staying in isolation. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) also reported 1,266 new
Former Urbana Substitute Teacher Accused Of Abusing Students
URBANA – Police in Urbana say a former substitute teacher is accused of abusing several 10-year-old students at an elementary school. In a press release on Tuesday, police identified the suspect as 36-year-old Clarence Walker of Champaign. He is scheduled to be arraigned on charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse on Wednesday. As of late
‘Little Free Libraries’ Provide Books To Kids While Schools And Libraries Are Closed
With schools and public libraries closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, communities are finding creative ways to provide children access to books and reading materials. Alexa Valadez, a seventh grader at Urbana Middle School, helps manage a “little free library” in her neighborhood in northeast Urbana. It’s a collection of books for children of all
News Around Illinois – April 18/19, 2020
Pritzker Orders Illinois Schools Closed For Rest of Semester CHICAGO — Illinois’ governor has ordered schools throughout the state to remain closed for the rest of the semester because of the threat of the coronavirus. J.B. Pritzker announced the action Friday during his daily coronavirus briefing in Chicago, extending school closures past the April 30