Chicago Reporter (https://www.chicagoreporter.com/author/elizabeth-blass/page/2/)
Nominations are due by April 30th for the six community-selected slots on CPS’ Local School Council Advisory Board, the body that acts as a liaison between LSCs and the district. Terms for the current board end June 30. Educators, parents and community members interested in serving on the board must submit a nomination form to the Department of LSC Relations.
Mason High in North Lawndale will follow model that offers a student-friendly schedule and connections to the community
The state senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that could boost Illinois’ chances for landing so-called “Race to the Top” education grants under the federal stimulus package. Sponsored by state Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), the bill lays the groundwork for a statewide “P-20” data system that will track students throughout their academic careers, from preschool to graduate school.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has stressed repeatedly that states and school districts need to spend stimulus dollars in forward-thinking ways, or lose out on nearly $5 billion in additional stimulus grants that will be awarded on a competitive basis this fall.
The creation of a longitudinal data system is one of four requirements laid out under President Barack Obama’s education stimulus plan. The president is also expecting states to beef up student assessments, teacher quality programs and intervention strategies for struggling schools.