Posts tagged Invest in Kids Act
THE POLICY SHOP: THE CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION’S AFFINITY FOR FAILURE
February 29, 2024 // The district already has 20 sustainable community schools, including 12 elementary schools and eight high schools. Sustainable community schools integrate student services coordinated by the school with outside organizations, such as housing or food assistance, medical or dental care, mental health services, English language or parenting classes. CTU claims the model promotes improved outcomes, such as decreased absenteeism rates, increased student performance and improved school culture, including “decreases in school discipline referrals, suspensions, and expulsions.” With dwindling enrollment in CPS, CTU markets the expansion of sustainable community schools as an attempt at “fortifying neighborhood schools.”
ILLINOIS: Union president’s school choice sparks debate over Illinois’ expiring program
September 11, 2023 // State Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago, did not comment directly on whether the Invest in Kids Act should be extended but said it should be up to the parents to do what they believe is best for their children. "I believe every child should have the opportunity to go to the school that their parents choose for them to go to. Period," Ford told The Center Square. Ford said the choice by Davis Gates to send her child to a private school speaks to another issue he sees. "We cannot miss that her decision to place her [child] in a school outside of Chicago Public Schools speaks volumes to the deficit in those schools," Ford said.
CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION TRIES TO KILL SCHOOL CHOICE FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS
January 5, 2023 // The Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program is Illinois’ take on offering parents and students more flexibility in school options. But the Invest in Kids Act is set to expire Dec. 31, 2023. If CTU and its allies succeed and lawmakers allow the program to die, thousands of Illinois students and their families would be left scrambling for ways to stay in their schools. Or they might have to leave their private schools altogether. Lawmakers in the new year should make the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program permanent.