Get that teacher an apple
With a perfect verbal score on the SAT and an Ivy League education, Daphne Whitington could have done anything she wanted. She opted for one of life's toughest assignments: teaching poor students with severe emotional problems who have been kicked out of regular schools. Up to 15 students must be physically restrained at her Chicago public school each day. A dozen teachers were hospitalized last year.
With a perfect verbal score on the SAT and an Ivy League education, Daphne Whitington could have done anything she wanted. She opted for one of life's toughest assignments: teaching poor students with severe emotional problems who have been kicked out of regular schools. Up to 15 students must be physically restrained at her Chicago public school each day. A dozen teachers were hospitalized last year.
19 new public schools wanted in next 2 years
Chicago hopes to add 19 public schools in the next two years, including a school for the arts for gifted kids and three schools linked to area universities, Chicago Schools CEO Arne Duncan announced Tuesday.
CPS cutting energy costs
The Chicago Public Schools expects to save $1.3 million a year in utility costs by renovating its main administration building at 125 S. Clark.
Successful city schools seek to branch out
Walt Disney Magnet, the city's first magnet school, and Burroughs Elementary, a successful neighborhood school, would be turned into "franchises" with multiple campuses under a proposal to be unveiled today by Chicago Public School officials.
Students given 'a real reason to write'
In a sunny classroom on Chicago's Southwest Side recently, a group of 17- and 18-year-olds in a radio writing class faced their first big test of the year.
Mixed grades for private dorms
They advertise "luxury" living for college students, including single bedrooms, kitchens with granite countertops and stunning city views. With four projects completed or under way, privately owned student residence halls are on the upswing in Chicago, but so far their rate of success has been decidedly mixed.
They advertise "luxury" living for college students, including single bedrooms, kitchens with granite countertops and stunning city views. With four projects completed or under way, privately owned student residence halls are on the upswing in Chicago, but so far their rate of success has been decidedly mixed.
Teen expelled for topless photo can't come back
A Loyola Academy student kicked out for taking a picture of a topless female student and showing it to several football players isn't getting a second chance, the Wilmette Roman Catholic school said Thursday.
A Loyola Academy student kicked out for taking a picture of a topless female student and showing it to several football players isn't getting a second chance, the Wilmette Roman Catholic school said Thursday.
Class of .08 T-shirts blow it
The students portray it as a warning against teen drinking. But school administrators see it as closer to a beer commercial.
School investigates Jena 6 event where kindergartner wore noose
GRAMBLING, La. -- Grambling State University President Horace Judson said the school is probing a Sept. 20 incident at Grambling's elementary school in which a noose was placed around a kindergartner's neck.
Prof who wrote nasty note sues
The note affixed to the office door handle of a Columbia College professor was short, simple and to the point. "Jack sucks donkey c---." It wasn't a student prank.
The note affixed to the office door handle of a Columbia College professor was short, simple and to the point. "Jack sucks donkey c---." It wasn't a student prank.
Oak Park school bans hugging
Hugging is now off limits at an Oak Park middle school. The new policy went into effect at Percy Julian Middle School last month because of administrators' concerns that so-called "hug lines" in the hallways were making students late for class and causing bottlenecks in the halls.
Hugging is now off limits at an Oak Park middle school. The new policy went into effect at Percy Julian Middle School last month because of administrators' concerns that so-called "hug lines" in the hallways were making students late for class and causing bottlenecks in the halls.
Sexual harassment case divides college
Miguel Parra, former president of the International Honor Society in Education at Northeastern Illinois University and a straight-A student, called it an "inappropriate attempt at humor.'' But the female student whose breast he touched during class and another who says he attempted to touch her thought it was criminal -- not funny.
Miguel Parra, former president of the International Honor Society in Education at Northeastern Illinois University and a straight-A student, called it an "inappropriate attempt at humor.'' But the female student whose breast he touched during class and another who says he attempted to touch her thought it was criminal -- not funny.
Cut half of college courses: Daley
Mayor Daley suggested Friday that colleges cut their course requirements in half -- allowing students to graduate in two years instead of four -- to defray education costs squeezing all but the wealthiest of American families.
Mayor Daley suggested Friday that colleges cut their course requirements in half -- allowing students to graduate in two years instead of four -- to defray education costs squeezing all but the wealthiest of American families.
Downstate college slashes tuition
One central Illinois college is bucking the trend of schools in much of the rest of the nation. Blackburn College will reduce tuition for new students by 15 percent. That'll amount to an annual tuition of $13,500.
One central Illinois college is bucking the trend of schools in much of the rest of the nation. Blackburn College will reduce tuition for new students by 15 percent. That'll amount to an annual tuition of $13,500.
Write or wrong: New exam for 8th-graders?
Chicago public schools are putting writing on the front burner.
Chicago public schools are putting writing on the front burner.
Search to begin for new Catholic schools leader
The hunt is on for a new chief for Chicago's Roman Catholic school system, the country's second largest. The current superintendent plans to resign by June.
The hunt is on for a new chief for Chicago's Roman Catholic school system, the country's second largest. The current superintendent plans to resign by June.
Students' math scores are up
Test results from the nation's only uniform way to compare students across state lines put Illinois in the middle of the pack nationally, with Illinois grade school students making significant gains in math but sliding back or making modest gains in reading since 2003.
Test results from the nation's only uniform way to compare students across state lines put Illinois in the middle of the pack nationally, with Illinois grade school students making significant gains in math but sliding back or making modest gains in reading since 2003.
National scholarship semifinalists named
These high school students from the city and suburbs have been named semifinalists in the 2008 National Achievement Scholarship Program.
These high school students from the city and suburbs have been named semifinalists in the 2008 National Achievement Scholarship Program.
Crushing debt
Her terse response: Jason is dead. And, she said, "You are part of the reason he took his own life.''
Special ed teacher tied to abuse of 3 autistic boys
He is a 12-year-old autistic boy who never learned to speak. The Hoffman Estates boy's chirps and moans help his parents understand his moods. And he has a special touch-screen computer with "happy," "sad," and "mad" faces. So when the boy came home from Robert Frost Junior High School in August, he had no way to explain the horrible bruises on one of his shins.
He is a 12-year-old autistic boy who never learned to speak. The Hoffman Estates boy's chirps and moans help his parents understand his moods. And he has a special touch-screen computer with "happy," "sad," and "mad" faces. So when the boy came home from Robert Frost Junior High School in August, he had no way to explain the horrible bruises on one of his shins.
Disgraced?
Alumni wonder if their degrees have been tarnished. Faculty question the intellectual commitment of campus leaders. The student newspaper calls the circumstances "ludicrous.'' A well-read higher education blog calls the school a "laughingstock.'' These are among reactions to allegations that Southern Illinois University president Glenn Poshard plagiarized some portions of the doctoral dissertation he wrote while a student at the school 23 years ago.
Alumni wonder if their degrees have been tarnished. Faculty question the intellectual commitment of campus leaders. The student newspaper calls the circumstances "ludicrous.'' A well-read higher education blog calls the school a "laughingstock.'' These are among reactions to allegations that Southern Illinois University president Glenn Poshard plagiarized some portions of the doctoral dissertation he wrote while a student at the school 23 years ago.
Thousands of nails in playground mulch
After spreading 12 truckloads of cedar chips on a playground, workers at the Woodstock Early Learning Center discovered there was some bite to their bark: The recycled mulch contained almost 3,000 nails.
After spreading 12 truckloads of cedar chips on a playground, workers at the Woodstock Early Learning Center discovered there was some bite to their bark: The recycled mulch contained almost 3,000 nails.
Illinois public high school reading scores take a dive
Illinois high school reading scores took their biggest tumble in at least five years, while elementary reading scores moved solidly upward, 2007 statewide test results showed Wednesday.
Illinois high school reading scores took their biggest tumble in at least five years, while elementary reading scores moved solidly upward, 2007 statewide test results showed Wednesday.
College students not up to speed on U.S. history
When it comes to U.S. history, college students get failing grades.
When it comes to U.S. history, college students get failing grades.
What we don't know
Here are some of the most commonly missed questions on an American history test given to college students:
Here are some of the most commonly missed questions on an American history test given to college students:
Drinking and talking don't mix
BLOOMSBURG, Pa. -- Bloomsburg University's student government president was charged with drunken driving just weeks after saying the media has unfairly portrayed students as irresponsible.
BLOOMSBURG, Pa. -- Bloomsburg University's student government president was charged with drunken driving just weeks after saying the media has unfairly portrayed students as irresponsible.
No 'juking': Schools fight suggestive 'sex' dance
Fliers announcing this month's Evanston Township High School homecoming dance carry the warning: "salacious or inappropriate dancing" -- often called "juking" -- is outlawed. As the homecoming dance season approaches, Chicago-area schools are wrestling with how to stomp out sexually suggestive dancing.
Fliers announcing this month's Evanston Township High School homecoming dance carry the warning: "salacious or inappropriate dancing" -- often called "juking" -- is outlawed. As the homecoming dance season approaches, Chicago-area schools are wrestling with how to stomp out sexually suggestive dancing.
Did Poshard prod pal to sway poll on resignation?
On Thursday afternoon, Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard called a religious leader on campus to discuss an online survey being conducted by the Springfield State Journal-Register. The survey question: Should Poshard resign over allegations he plagiarized some parts of his doctoral dissertation?
On Thursday afternoon, Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard called a religious leader on campus to discuss an online survey being conducted by the Springfield State Journal-Register. The survey question: Should Poshard resign over allegations he plagiarized some parts of his doctoral dissertation?
Curfew may be too lax: Daley
Teenagers already chafing under Chicago's rigid curfew ordinance could face an even shorter leash: Mayor Daley says 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 p.m. on weekends "may be too late."
Parents of slain student join bid to curb violence
Ron and Annette Nance-Holt's son Blair -- gunned down on a CTA bus last May on his way home from school -- didn't need a place to find something positive to do.
Ron and Annette Nance-Holt's son Blair -- gunned down on a CTA bus last May on his way home from school -- didn't need a place to find something positive to do.
57 percent of teachers OK new pact
Chicago teachers ratified a new five-year contract Monday that brings them obvious benefits but makes no immediate headway toward top reform goals for the district, chief among them a longer school day.
Chicago teachers ratified a new five-year contract Monday that brings them obvious benefits but makes no immediate headway toward top reform goals for the district, chief among them a longer school day.
Teachers vote to ratify 5-year contract
Chicago Public Schools teachers voted Monday to ratify a five-year contract that contains annual raises of 4 percent, a source told the Chicago Sun-Times this morning.
Chicago Public Schools teachers voted Monday to ratify a five-year contract that contains annual raises of 4 percent, a source told the Chicago Sun-Times this morning.
CPS payroll glitches hit retirees
Movers descended on Marvin Nochowitz's house last week to haul the recently retired Chicago teacher's belongings to a new home in South Carolina he and his wife had saved for. But a CPS computer glitch has thrown his finances into disarray.
Movers descended on Marvin Nochowitz's house last week to haul the recently retired Chicago teacher's belongings to a new home in South Carolina he and his wife had saved for. But a CPS computer glitch has thrown his finances into disarray.
