News & Issues

Student sues school for alleged relationship with teacher

By Paul Katula •
A Belleville West High School math teacher allegedly had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student under 17, and now the student is claiming in a lawsuit that the school failed to prevent the encounter.

Movie Review: Won't Back Down

By Paul Katula •
A new movie about parents taking over a school, featuring excellent dramatic performances, is reviewed. We find the film to have a divisive political agenda and to be "one-sided in its presentation, narrow in its scope, and shallow in its understanding of the problems facing real schools or the paths to solving those problems."

Maryland is 1st state with Common Core for braille

By Paul Katula •
The Maryland State Board of Education adopted braille standards for use with the Common Core in English/language arts and mathematics. Maryland is the first state to formally adopt braille standards with the Common Core.

Maryland students continue to excel in AP courses

By Press Release •
The number of Maryland students who took at least one Advanced Placement exam last year increased, as did the number of students receiving a 3 or higher. Scores on the SAT were flat, compared to scores from a year ago.

A few facts about Chicago's longer school days, years

By Paul Katula •
We compare the amount of time Chicago Public Schools students spend in class with students in other large urban districts and in other countries, including Finland, which administration officials like to hold up as a shining example of a country that knows how to run education.

Teachers’ strikes are illegal in most states

By Paul Katula •
In case you're wondering about the legality of teachers' strikes, they are legal in Illinois and 12 other states. But that's all, primarily because most state legislatures have put education on par with police and fire protection as essential services provided by government.

Teachers’ strikes are illegal in most states

By Paul Katula •
In case you're wondering about the legality of teachers' strikes, they are legal in Illinois and 12 other states. But that's all, primarily because most state legislatures have put education on par with police and fire protection as essential services provided by government.

Segregation by race, income prominent in US

By Paul Katula •
Schools are becoming more segregated by race in the US, not less, and this trend seems to carry with it an increasing segregation in US schools by poverty level.

Chicago teachers are still on strike

By Paul Katula •
Chicago teachers are still on strike, the mayor plans to seek an injunction to get kids back in school, and the debate may not be soluble in the course of a labor negotiation. What else is new?