Erica Kious I prepared testimony for one of two public hearings held by the Chicago Public Schools Truancy Task Force, a body mandated by state legislation. The meeting, held in a bank community room on the South Side, attracted more than 150 people, most of whom (including myself) were not given a chance to speak due to … Read more
The U.S. House is likely to vote this week on HR10, the charter proliferation bill. Of course, they call it the “Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act.” Please take a moment today or tomorrow to call or e-mail your Congressman asking him or her to vote NO on HR10. Here’s the fax that … Read more
Many of you remember Ismael Vargas, who was PURE’s bilingual trainer and assistant director for many years. Israel Vargas Not as many got to know Ismael’s brother, Israel, who worked for PURE for a couple of years back when we had our offices on Dearborn. Israel was a whiz of an admin asst and translated … Read more
Perhaps Blaine principal Troy LaRiviere’s May 3 letter to the Chicago Sun-Times emboldened other educators to speak out. For example, the former head of assessment at CPS, Carole Perlman, wrote this letter to the Chicago Tribune criticizing the use of standardized tests to evaluate teachers. “Though superficially appealing, using test scores to evaluate teachers will … Read more
I’m talking with Dick Kay on WCPT this afternoon about standardized testing. Tune in to 820 AM, or 92.5 FM (west side of Chicago) 92.7 FM (north) or 99.9 FM (south). Apparently you can also live stream the show here: Here are some of the topics I hope we’ll be able to cover: Testing fake … Read more
We are pleased to offer this one-stop spot to find many of PURE’s most useful fact sheets and tip sheets, most in both English and Spanish. Please feel free to download, print and use them, as long as you leave PURE’s information on the page. Please note that PURE’s address and other contact information have … Read more
After months of parent pushback on the threat to student data privacy, a campaign spearheaded by PAA co-founder Leonie Haimson of NYC’s Class Size Matters, inBloom today announced that they are closing their offices. We congratulate Leonie and all of the parents, teachers, students and others around the country who stood up and spoke out … Read more
The date and time have been finalized for the subject matter hearing on testing sponsored by the Illinois Senate Education Committee, and you are invited! The hearing will take place this Friday, April 25, at 2:30 pm at the Bilandic Building, 160 N LaSalle Street in Chicago, Room 600. This is our chance to share … Read more
It’s April. inBloom may be kaput but testing and related education forums are in full bloom! Fortunately they are all indoors so we won’t freeze! Wednesday, April 23, 7 – 8 pm: Good Morning Mission Hill film screening at Francis Parker School, 330 W Webster, followed by a panel discussion on democratic education. Thursday April … Read more