Despite push, some students still lack devices, and some districts aren’t providing data about who’s logging on.
Katie Drews
Judge Approves CPS Paying $4M to Family of Teen With Autism Who Drowned in School Pool
The Chicago school district also is paying out more than $100,000 to a special education teacher who says he lost his job after raising concerns about special ed staffing issues at the same Southwest Side high school.
Chicago Public Schools to Pay $4M in Special Ed Teen’s Drowning
Documents released after a judge lifts a publication ban against the BGA offer new details about failed oversight, warnings that were ignored and “mayhem” at high school pool on the Southwest Side in 2017.
17 Months After Teen With Autism Drowned at CPS Pool, Board of Ed to Strengthen Water Safety
Following BGA/Sun-Times investigation into special ed care at pools, Chicago’s school board is set to take up policy changes that would limit pool activities and focus lifeguard staffing.
Chicago’s New City ID Opens Doors But Stokes Fears
With its CityKey ID card, Chicago follows New York in launching a municipal document aimed at opening access to an array of services for residents who lack identification. But conservatives claim it’s a gateway to voter fraud.
Autistic Teen’s Death In CPS Pool Heightens Questions Of Special Ed Care
Fourteen-year-old Rosario Gomez didn’t know how to swim, wasn’t wearing a lifejacket and had significant problems communicating. His drowning in a high school pool last winter fuels doubts about Chicago Public Schools’ ability to care for its special needs students.
Understanding The Most Poorly Funded School System in America: Illinois
By design, Illinois places an outsized reliance on revenue from local property taxes to fund schools. That has led to dramatic increases in property taxes across the state while also creating a worst in the nation gap in funding between rich and poor districts.
Dorothy Brown Offers Political Advice — For A Price
Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown has long been dogged by allegations of pay-to-play in the administration of her office even as she also faces criticism for sloppy and inefficient record keeping.
Critics: CPS Special Ed Policy Is ‘Delay And Deny’
Parents, teachers and disability rights advocates say new oversight protocols keep kids from getting services they need, while BGA analysis raises questions about Chicago Public Schools’ claims that minority students are over-identified for special ed.
Pension Late Fees Hit Chicago Charters
More than $10 million owed to the city teachers’ retirement fund is paid late, triggering at least $1.8 million in fines.