The Latest Breaking News from Chicago Public Schools

Parents of special education children need guidance, support

Parents need the training to become partners in educating children with special needs, a preschool special education teacher writes.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 3, 2024

Chicago Board of Ed wants cops out of public schools this fall, principals told

Removal of the “school resource officers” would align with Mayor Brandon’s Johnson’s vision, but detractors say local school councils should have final say on whether cops stay.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 2, 2024

To report on the impact of Chicago’s mass school closings, we turned to neighborhood residents

While City Hall and Chicago Public Schools put roadblocks in the way of reporting for the Sun-Times and WBEZ series, people who lived near the closed schools opened up with their stories.

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 28, 2023

Former CPS teacher continued to sexually abuse students after suspension, suit alleges

Attorneys for two families say they were not notified that elementary teacher Andrew Castro had been removed from teaching in May 2021 over abuse allegations and that he continued abusing three boys outside school.

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 12, 2023

CPS’ troubled special education department gets new leader

A celebrated principal of a high school for disabled teens and young adults has been tabbed to take over a department that serves 52,000 students.

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 11, 2023

All Illinois middle schoolers must pass a civics education class. How do you make sure it sticks?

CPS discourages civics tests based on rote memorization. Try a quiz using that approach — and see what schools are doing now instead.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 28, 2023

Truancy officers would help prevent chronic absenteeism in Chicago Public Schools

Having to stand before a judge and explain why a child is not regularly attending school is a great deterrent to chronic school absenteeism, a retired police officer writes.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 27, 2023

I was a CPS student in underserved neighborhoods, and I wasn’t prepared for college

Because the environment of a public school in an under-resourced neighborhood does not engage the minds of students, those who do enroll in college struggle, a former CPS student writes.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 10, 2023

Chicago Public Schools officials project $391 million deficit next year when COVID-19 relief funds run out

District leaders and Board of Education officials have warned of a financial cliff approaching next school year. Federal COVID-19 relief funds had papered over a structural deficit that officials estimate will reach $691 million. Only $300 million in federal funding is left to offset that,

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 25, 2023

School bus driver shortage still hits Chicago families hard

CPS has boosted pay to attract bus driver candidates and has hundreds of open positions. Chicago isn’t alone: The driver shortage affects school districts in every state.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 25, 2023