In 1987, Chicago was among the most troubled school systems in America. Thirty years later it ranked among the most improved. How a City Learned to Improve its Schools offers an account of how this transformation in Chicago’s schools occurred at every level from enhancing classroom instruction, to the organization of more engaging and effective school communities, to strengthening the preparation and support of teachers and school leaders, to sustaining an ambitious evidence-based public informing agenda on the progress of key reform initiatives and the challenges still ahead.

Chicago Public Schools’ next chapter hangs on the result of the April 4 mayoral runoff election between two candidates boasting unusually strong ties to public education — and diametrically opposed ideas for schools.

Paul Vallas plans drastic changes to CPS’ structure, bolstering principals and local leaders’ power over spending and programming — and even the ability to let a charter school take over their campus. He would prioritize standardized testing and make it easier to hold students back a grade so they don’t graduate without necessary reading and math skills...

The K–12 issues at stake in the Chicago mayor’s race were neatly distilled earlier this month, when a bizarre standoff ensued between supporters of the two candidates.

I recently participated in a half–day advisory board meeting in which Teach for America shared its new approach to coaching recruits. It was a treat to learn more about the Cultivate Survey, developed by my colleague Camille Farrington who manages the UChicago Consortium on School Research. Camille is currently adapting the survey for use by TFA coaches to use with new corps members.

City Council members act quickly to cement some of their power before the next mayor comes in. Where the candidates stand on education. And the latest on a suburban bakery harassed for drag shows...

Alexis Mennis has a light breakfast around 5 a.m. then heads off to the Greek American Rehabilitation & Care Centre in Wheeling, where she works as a certified nursing assistant. After her shift, the Rolling Meadows High School senior goes to a physiology class at Harper College, then wraps up the day practicing with the high school track team.

Key Findings

• 28% of eligible students participated in Chicago Connected by May 2021—68,385 of 242,471 eligible students.
• Participation rates were higher for students in households for lower economic means.
• English Learners and students with disabilities were more likely to participate in Chicago Connected—but differences in participation rates for students with disabilities was not statistically significant in our multilevel models
• There

Key Takeaways

• When schools foster socioemotional development (SED), students are more likely to thrive in high school and beyond.
• Many 'school quality' measures miss the important ways in which high schools foster student thriving. 
• School climate is strongly and positively tied to school effectiveness.
• Effective schools are rigorous and relationship-oriented. 

Key Findings

• High schools that fostered eighth- to ninth-grade student growth across multiple dimensions positively influenced students’ social and academic traj