George Schmidt's life of love and service
[This article was originally published on Oct. 6, 2018.]
George Neil Schmidt's life was filled with his deep love of family and friends and an intense calling to serve humanity. He was born in Elizabeth, . . .
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Saying goodbye to George – visitations, funeral, graveside
[This article was first published on Oct. 10, 2018.]
We held two visitations at Mt. Olive Church in Chicago on Sept. 20 and Sept. 22. Many friends came to pay their respects and comfort us. . . .
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Thank you for your kind words
[This article was first published on Oct. 16, 2018.] In the few weeks since George has died, Dan, Sam Josh and I have been helped in our sorrow by the love and support shown to . . .
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Substance News to honor founder George Schmidt (1946-2018)
After Substance founder George Schmidt died in September 2018, many of us felt it was very important to keep Substance News alive and to continue George's work of advocating for economic justice, professional respect for . . .
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Readers may contact George Schmidt's widow with questions, concerns
As the owner of the Substance site and widow of Substance founder and long-time editor George N. Schmidt, I am maintaining Substance News as a way to keep our database of articles alive. Most of . . .
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July Substance stories moved to August
I'm posting articles about George on the monthly homepage of Substance now. I moved all the stories displayed on the July 2023 to August. . . .
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Dr. John Kugler editing Substance
Long-time reporter John Kugler is now editing Substance. He took over the online news service in June 2020.
Substance, both as a subscription-paid, monthly newspaper for nearly 40 years and as an online news . . .
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Stories about Substance founder and long-time editor George N. Schmidt on October 2018 Substance homepage
Dozens of stories about Substance founder George N. Schmidt, who died on Sept. 17, 2018, are published on the October 2018 Substance News homepage. Stories about George’s personal life appear on the left column . . .
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Haymarket Books celebrates May Day
The following notice came from Haymarket Books:
May Day, international workers’ day, is a day to honor and celebrate the radical traditions of the working-class movement. In the current crisis, workers across the country . . .
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Stand with striking workers on May Day 2020
The graphics may be all we need today during the coronavirus pandemic.
. . .
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May Day is Labor Day: History lesson and ballad
One nice thing about working from home during the coronavirus pandemic with a 15-year-old who is home from school is you can watch a video and read an article together on May Day when you're . . .
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Media Watch: Chicago Sun-Times doesn't use word "union" in its story's background of janitorial privatization
"CPS ditching Aramark, Sodexo for facilities management after one more contract renewal"
District officials are extending contracts one year to give themselves time to come up with an alternative to maintain buildings.
By . . .
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Chicago Tribune teacher-bashing soars to new heights: We're now to blame for COVID-19, too
It's not enough for the Chicago Tribune to regularly blame teachers for poor students' poor test scores, negate the need for decent salaries, benefits, and conditions, and question teachers' professionalism, the Tribune now blames teachers . . .
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Illinois primary is Tuesday, March 17, Substance among those endorsing Sanders
The primary race is looking more and more to be a battle between centrist VP Joe Biden and progressive Senator Bernie Sanders. While the CTU House of Delegates voted against endorsing Sanders, many in the . . .
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CPS still pushing test prep, while more colleges go test optional
In spite of the fact that Chicago city colleges and many four-year colleges that CPS students will attend do not require a minimum SAT score — with Northern Illinois University just joining the ranks of . . .
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CPS waits two weeks to apologize for egregious error
Thousands of Chicago public school employees received incredible news from CPS during the winter break: They are owed money. CPS “records indicate that the following check has not been cashed,” stated the letter dated Dec. . . .
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Social media discussion groups help teachers stay connected, understand confusing CPS crap
As one of the people who received the confusing CPS letter, I was releived when I saw Facebook posts by other teachers who said they'd gotten the letter, too, and already looked to their . . .
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Substance holiday open house and book give away
Substance staff members and friends are invited to a holiday open house and book give away on Dec. 23, 2 - 6 p.m., at the Schmidt home. Substance founder and editor George Schmidt (1946-2018) was . . .
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CPS waits two weeks to apologize for egregious error
Thousands of Chicago public school employees* received incredible news from CPS during the winter break: We are owed money. CPS “records indicate that the following check has not been cashed,” stated a letter dated Dec. . . .
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Substance holiday open house and book give away
Substance staff members and friends are invited to a holiday open house and book give away on Dec. 23, 2 - 6 p.m., at the Schmidt home. Substance founder and editor George Schmidt (1946-2018) was . . .
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Media Watch: Sickening outrage in Chicago Sun-Times editorial regarding policy it says "make sense"
The Chicago Sun-Times editorial board was so outraged about the CTU contract's provision regarding teachers banking unused sick days that it called teachers "pathetic."
Other rhetorical delights — by editorial page editor Tom McNamee . . .
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Missing George with many
On the one-year anniversary of George’s death this year, I didn’t cry. I was too busy teaching freshmen and juniors at Steinmetz High School, interviewing people for my story about the Chicago student climate strike . . .
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Media Watch: Uncool PR-style puff piece by Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times ignored the facts of an unnecessary, $100 million building – that furthers segregation on the northwest side of Chicago, and will cause additional damage in lost enrollment to several existing schools, purportedly . . .
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Students to strike over climate crisis on Friday, Sept. 20; protest rally begins at 11 a.m. in Grant Park
Hundreds of Chicago public school students will join an international school strike to raise awareness of the climate crisis on Friday, Sept. 20. They'll meet at Grant Park at 11 a.m. at the intersection of . . .
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Substance staffer shows work in the Oak Park Art League's "The Aesthetic of our National Identity"
Retired teacher Jo-Anne Cairo is among several artists showing work at the Oak Park Art League's exhibition "The Aesthetic of our National Identity," which opened July 7 and runs through August 3 at 720 Chicago . . .
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Newly appointed Chicago Board of Education fails first test
Although greeted with high hopes by CTU and community members who have been adversely affected by the horrors of mayoral controlled school policies since 1995, the new Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed board of education, which . . .
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CTU press conference highlights needs in schools; former student testifies of help he received from social workers
A Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) press conference highlighted one of its contract demands of full staffing in the schools by social workers, school nurses, librarians, school psychologists, special education teachers and bilingual education teachers – . . .
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'A crisis of trauma and not meeting students' mental health needs' addressed at Board of Education meeting (video links included)
Several speakers at the Chicago Board of Education meeting urged the board to do better with meeting the needs of students. Oriole Park teacher Erika Wozniak said that in Chicago public schools there is one . . .
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Board of Education president responds to Substance: "George Schmidt was a great man"
Like so many who spoke at the June 26 Board of Education meeting, I said I was hopeful because of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's newly appointed board. I had signed up to speak to offer two . . .
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CTU financial mismanagement and lack of transparency in political spending and endorsements addressed by CORE leaders in open letter
Financial mismanagement and the lack of transparency in political spending and the endorsement processes in the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) are addressed in an open letter released on May 14 by a dozen active CORE . . .
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Musicians' strike continues into third week
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians remain on the picket line, striking since March 10 mainly over pensions. “The core difference between our plan and their proposal is that our plan keeps the guaranteed retirement benefit . . .
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CORE slate endorsement from CTU Recording Secretary Michael Brunson
As the Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) chooses its slate for the May 2019 union elections in an online vote this week, long-time CORE member and CTU Recording Secretary Michael Brunson urged CORE . . .
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Stories and tributes about George Schmidt available on October 2018 Substance homepage
The October 2018 Substance News homepage is devoted to stories and comments about editor George N. Schmidt, who died on Sept. 17, 2018. Stories about George’s personal life appear on the left column of the . . .
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While illuminating major problems with CTU practices, Joseph McDermott's officer slating survey responses for CORE show his qualifications
Serious ethical lapses, violations to the constitution and irregular political practices of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) leadership are evident in a letter to CORE (Caucus of Rank and File Educators) members and survey responses . . .
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George Schmidt stories and tributes on Substance October 2018 homepage
The October 2018 Substance News homepage is devoted to stories and comments about editor George N. Schmidt, who died on Sept. 17, 2018. Stories about George’s personal life appear on the left column of the . . .
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The Paul Vallas "education miracle" is a hoax, whether in Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans or Bridgeport
As Paul Vallas makes his case for becoming mayor of Chicago in the February 2019 election, mainstream media news coverage continues to repeat easily refuted lies of his success as a school reformer. Chicago reporters . . .
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Chance the Rapper speaks out against CPS plan to close NTA
Chance the Rapper, who has given generous grants for arts education to Chicago neighborhood high schools and spoken out against charter schools, is now speaking out against the National Teachers Academy closing. His commentary appears . . .
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Chance the Rapper's funny "Elderly Aldermen" shows why it's so tough to win an aldermanic seat
Chance the Rapper's new video on the Chicagoist explains why it's so tough for young people who are not incumbents, like Chicago teacher Erika Wozniak, running in the 46th ward, to win elections to Chicago's . . .
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Striking charter school teachers in good spirits
In spite of the 26-degree weather, teachers at Clemente Elementary, one of the 15 Acero charter schools in Chicago, were in good spirits on Day Two of their historic strike. The 500 Acero teachers and . . .
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Stories and tributes about George Schmidt available on October 2018 Substance homepage
The October 2018 Substance News homepage is devoted to stories and comments about editor George N. Schmidt, who died on Sept. 17, 2018. Stories about George’s personal life appear on the left column of the . . .
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Chicago Board of Education disregards its policies when catering to those wanting segregation
While National Teachers Academy supporters, who are fighting to keep their school open for elementary students, hope that the release of this year's school ratings could help their cause (NTA stayed at 1+ and South . . .
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Media Watch: New York Times publishes education brilliance and baloney in Sunday Review
Alfie Kohn speaks to educators, bosses and parents in his article "Science Confirms It: People Are Not Pets" published in the New York Times Oct. 27 Sunday Review. Our children, students and workers aren't . . .
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Pro-charter 'Annual Regional Analysis' ignores Chicago facts of segregation, poverty and disinvestment
In the "Annual Regional Analysis," a report created by Kids First Chicago and the Chicago Public Schools that claims to provide "a universal fact-base of Chicago public schools," school ratings are presented devoid . . .
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Fighting injustice – 'for bread and roses, too'
I first knew George in 1997 from reading Substance. I saw his righteousness and passion in its pages. Then I met him and I was blown away by his intelligence, endurance, and experience. He seemed . . .
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Raised to serve others
George was raised in Linden, New Jersey, at a time when service to the country was highly respected. As were nearly all the adult males on his block, his parents were World War II veterans . . .
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George's development and exploration during his teen years — truth and beauty in literature, friendships, romance
As a teen, George began exploring nearby New York City, taking the train into the city to go to the 8th Street Bookstore. He loved poetry and great works of literature. His sister Terry and . . .
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Cancer snuck up on us
George knew he had Stage 4 lung cancer for only one month, but by then it was too late to fight.
In June, he felt lousy with a cough, chest pain and fatigue. After . . .
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Understanding the horror of war
As a child, George played with his cousins and the children on his block, swam at the Linden pool and took occasional family trips to the beach and Coney Island, led by his mother. He . . .
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Protesting the Vietnam War and racial injustice at college
In 1965, during George's second year at college, George first met people who opposed the Vietnam War. Tom Cornell, one of the first Catholic conscientious objectors and draft card burners, visited St. Vincent College during . . .
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Move to Chicago radically increases George's learning and organizing work against the Vietnam War
George hitchhiked west in the fall of 1966 to begin studying at University of Chicago. He relished his courses and top teaching professors. He read deeply, especially in poetry and philosophy. In a small seminar, . . .
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George Schmidt's teaching career cut short by Board of Ed
George began his work in the Chicago public schools in September 1969 as a substitute teacher. He taught at Crispus Attucks, DuSable and Forestville Upper Grade Center until 1971. He had a three-year break in . . .
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George's joy in his sons and marriage
George sought happiness in marriage. Before we met, he had been wedded to two other women he loved. He married college classmate and fellow anti-war activist Linda Haase in 1970. After they had been divorced . . .
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Of God and George being good
George was active in the church throughout his childhood, had read the Bible and studied theology. His Catholic high school helped him obtain a scholarship to a Catholic college. He had even said at one . . .
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Donations in George's name going to excellent organizations
In the death notice in the Chicago newspapers, I suggested that in lieu of flowers, people may send donations in George's name to the following organizations (to which many people told me they have donated):
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George Schmidt died peacefully
Substance editor George Schmidt died at home on Sept. 17 after a brief battle with lung cancer, complicated by a series of strokes. He was 71.
A ketch of his career, along with visitation . . .
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A lifetime of service
Union activist, journalist and retired Chicago public school teacher George N. Schmidt was the editor of Substance, which he helped found in 1975. The paper was in print until 2012, and has been an online . . .
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Substance urges CORE members to slate Michael Brunson for president
A special meeting "for the specific purpose of discussing the upcoming vacancies for Chicago Teachers Union Officers and CTU Trustees" of CORE members will be held on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. at the . . .
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WBEZ's 'How Chicago School Construction Furthers Race and Class Segregation'
The WBEZ report “How Chicago School Construction Furthers Race and Class Segregation” illustrates that the plan to build a $75 million school in Dunning is part of an ongoing pattern of new construction disproportionately going . . .
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'Rahm starving schools to feed the rich!' proclaimed on banners, signs... Chicago Teachers Union, allies march against continued Rahm and banks ripping off the public schools...
At least 2,000 and perhaps as many as 3,000 Chicago public school teachers and hundreds of their allies marched in defense of the city's public schools on February 4, 2016. The march included teachers, PSRPs, . . .
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Anti-censorship bill for high school journalists introduced in Illinois by Rep. Will Guzzardi... 'House Bill 5902 will ensure that our young journalists are prepared for careers in media and public life...'
In order to give greater First Amendment protection to high school student journalists and allow them to exercise their freedom of speech and of the press in school, Democratic Rep. Will Guzzardi introduced House Bill . . .
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Chicago Teachers Union takes major step towards strike in early 2016... Strike authorization vote to be held in all Chicago schools on December 9, 10, and 11 after unanimous House of Delegates vote in favor of a strike...
Officers of the Chicago Teachers Union held a press conference on December 2, 2015 to announce that the union's leadership is recommending that the union's more than 28,000 members vote in favor of authorizing a . . .
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Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates votes in favor of resolution backing reforms in Chicago policing....
The Chicago Teachers Union's 800-member House of Delegates approved a controversial resolution submitted by the union's 45-member Executive Board concerning the current problems facing Chicago police and policing. The December 2 House of Delegates meeting . . .
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Investigation into CPS 'network chief' Josserand uncovers past scandal
A Substance story about a principal who censored a student's news story in the high school paper uncovered corruption in the principal's "superior" Network 3 "Chief of Schools" Randel Josserand. Questions into Josserand's claims . . .
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Student publishes censored article about CPS changes in school bell schedules on her own website...
Although a student's article intended for the Nov.-Dec. 2015 issue of the school newspaper, the Steinmetz Star, was censored by the principal, reporter McKenzie Lacefield published it on her own website: //childoffire.wordpress.com/2015/12/18/time-change/
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Principal censors the Steinmetz Star, one of Chicago's most highly praised school newspapers...
Stephen J. Ngo, principal of Steinmetz High School, 3030 N. Mobile, censored a students article intended for publication in the November - December 2015 edition of the school newspaper, the Steinmetz Star. The story was . . .
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Lengthy CTU push poll questions frustrate those looking for a straightforward strike vote...
Chicago Teachers Union members who were expecting to vote on Nov. 5 on their willingness to strike were instead given the CTU's "Contract Poll Practice Vote" handout that asked four lengthy questions, confusing voters and . . .
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Clergy demand justice and mercy for Dyett hunger strikers...
With Dyett High School supporters going into their third week of a hunger strike, Christian and Jewish clergy called on Mayor Rahm Emanuel, at a press conference on August 31, 2015 at City Hall, to . . .
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Dyett Hunger Strike continues as community, parent and union leaders expose the mendacities of the 'compromise' announced by City Hall and CPS.. 'The CPS decision to turn Dyett into an arts school with a 'technology hub' is NOT a victory for Bronzeville's children...'
Following a brief but melodramatic interlude after Chicago Public Schools officials (surrounded by a group of African American politicians who had never supported the Dyett hunger strike and its objectives) announced that a "compromise" had . . .
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Aldermen add voices in opposition to charter expansion, as protests against Board's budget priorities grow...
While there was a great deal of activity before, during and after the July 22, 2015 meeting of the Chicago Board of Education (the last to be chaired by David Vitale, who is being replaced . . .
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MEDIA WATCH: Does Tribune story on school newspapers distort and oversimplify a reality?.. Why should students 'fundraise' to have a newspaper? Steinmetz Alumnus Hugh Hefner 'added that he hoped alumni of other high school papers across the country would be inspired to help their former schools...'
It was a pleasant surprise to turn to the front page of the April 14, 2015 Chicago Tribune and discover not only that the Tribune was covering the Steinmetz Star newspaper (of which I am . . .
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Rahm says voters who want an elected school board have been 'tricked'!
At the �Chicago Women Take Action� mayoral forum on January 24, 2015, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said people had been �tricked� into wanting an elected school board. With a referendum scheduled in the majority of . . .
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BBB dress code memo sent to schools, although only meant for Network Offices
In a memo sent network chiefs, Chicago public schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennet laid out a "general rule" that CPS employees should wear business attire.
The memo was dated April 22 and shared to some . . .
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Rally at Network office supports teachers boycotting ISAT... '
A rally of 200 parents, teachers, students and community activists was held outside the "Network 7" office of Chicago Public Schools on the afternoon of March 10, 2014, as teachers and parents continued the largest . . .
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OPT OUT NEWS: Explosion of resistance to ISAT testing program grows as Drummond Elementary teachers vote to boycott the testing program that begins Monday
Surrounded by parents, students, fellow teachers and reporters, teachers from Chicago's Drummond Elementary School proudly announced on the afternoon of February 28, 2014, that they were joining their fellow teachers at Saucedo Elementary School in . . .
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CPS backs off on some threats against teachers, parents, and children in ISAT boycott
In a February 28, 2014, 5 p.m. email communication, Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools, backed off from the threats of retaliation to teachers boycotting the ISAT and the children whose . . .
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OPT OUT NEWS: CORE Saturday forum at South Shore library expands resistance to ISAT testing
The Opt Out movement and resistance to high-stakes testing continued to expand and grow in Chicago over the last weekend in February 2014 with forums and discussions at different locations and telephone organizing taking place . . .
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OPT OUT NEWS: Explosion of resistance to ISAT testing program grows as Drummond Elementary teachers vote to boycott the testing program that begins Monday
Teachers at Chicago's Drummond Elementary School announced at a February 28, 2014 press conference that they had voted to boycott the ISAT testing program that begins in Chicago's public schools on Monday. At an afternoon . . .
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Charter high schools slated for Northwest Side are supposedly to 'relieve overcrowding' but the high schools in that area are not overcrowded!... Belmont Cragin community voices strong opposition to new charter schools
The almost unanimous opposition to charter school expansion on Chicago's Northwest Side was clearly in evidence at the CPS hearing on January 7, 2014 on the Intrinsic and Noble Street charter schools proposals. Intrinsic proposes . . .
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Protesters demand a no vote by the Board on January 22 on all charter proposals. They oppose Noble's construction near Prosser... 'They didn't even wait for the Board to vote!'
Despite the fact that the the Chicago Board of Educations vote on Noble Networks proposed charter high school at 5357 W. Grand doesnt take place until Jan. 22, construction has begun on the new high . . .
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Overnight vigil against charter proliferation begins
The overnight vigil at the Chicago Board of Education in protest of the expansion of privately held charter schools at public expense has begun. Parents, student and community allies are out tonight in the cold . . .
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Students oppose charter high school proposals
The following is my presentation to the Chicago Board of Education on Dec. 18 about my students opposition to the proposed charter school expansion on the Northwest Side.
Good afternoon. My name is . . .
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Belmont Cragin community voices opposition to proposed Noble St. charter high school at town hall meeting
Spurred on by the Thursday, October 17, 2013 Chicago Plan Commission Meeting at City Hall in which the commissioners* will vote on a proposal by Noble St. Charter Network to build a new high . . .
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'If CPS has $8 million for Noble, CPS has money to reverse the budget cuts, and teacher layoffs in Belmont-Cragins neighborhood schools...' Students protest proposed Noble St. charter high school on northwest side
"Is that right? No!" students from Roosevelt, Prosser, and Steinmetz high schools yelled at a press conference today in front of City Hall. CPS cut millions from their schools, and is now planning to fund . . .
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VALLAS FACTS: Paul Vallas failed to improve test scores, but doubletalked on the issue
[Editor's Note: The following article first appeared in Substance in March 2002, and was published on line in the first issue of Substance to go up at the Web on the "old" Substance Website (www.substancenews.com). . . .
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VALLAS FACTS: Resume padding and doubletalk about his 'teaching' experience and certification began in Illinois a long time ago... By the time he ran for Governor in 2002, Paul Vallas had been getting away with padding his resumé for a long long time
{Editor's Note: The following article was published originally at www.substancenews.com in March 2002 while Paul Vallas was running for the Democratic Party nomination for Governor of Illinois. As part of his campaign material, as reported . . .
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VALLAS FACTS: Was Paul Vallas ever really a teacher? NO. 'It all depends on what your definition of 'Is' was then, sort of... Did Paul Vallas 'teach' and how much does it matter (except to show that he's a liar)...
[Editor's Note: Back in 2002, when Paul G. Vallas was still warm following his dumping by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley (June 2001) from the position of "Chief Executive Officer" of Chicago's public schools, Substance . . .
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Boardwatch: Parents can protect their children from excessive testing by opting out of CPS tests
At today's Chicago Board of Education meeting I spoke about testing and the costs of the school closings. The following are my prepared remarks. Good afternoon. My name is Sharon Schmidt. I am a CPS . . .
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Boardwatch: Parents can protect their children from excessive testing by opting out of CPS tests
I spoke about opting out of excessive standardized testing and the costs of the school closings at the April board meeting. The following are my prepared comments. Good morning. I am a CPS parent and . . .
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'Out of a possible 810 students, the administration of Seattle's Garfield High School was able to test only 118...' Teachers and students who boycott tests speak of their experiences at CTU 'More Than a Score' forum
CTU President Kaaren Lewis, Seattle teacher Jesse Hagopian, and several other speakers “enlightened, inspired, and energized” participants at a special community forum on standardized testing, said one teacher who spoke at the end of the . . .
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Seattle test boycott update: Supt. backs down... Victory for the Garfield teachers and other MAP boycotting schools in in Seattle!!... No teacher will be disciplined!
Seattle schools supt. Jose Banda has backed off on his promise to discipline teachers who boycotted the MAP test and has additionally agreed to scale back the use of the MPA with students. The teachers . . .
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Major forum on testing features CTU President and Seattle High School Resistance leader on March 19 in Chicago
The Chicago Teachers Union continues its "Pencils Down" program of resistance against the misuse of testing and the regime of high-stakes testing with a March 19, 2013 forum on Chicago's south side featuring CTU president . . .
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CTU and allies fan out at seven locations across Chicago in opposition to looming closings... CTU helps North Austin residents speak out against the threat to their neighborhood schools
North Austin residents who spoke with canvassers from the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) gladly signed a petition calling for a moratorium on school closings and turnarounds. Several residents of the area surrounding Lewis Elementary School, . . .
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Diane Ravitch at Lane Tech Monday, October 15, at 4 p.m. speaking on how testing and choice are undermining education
The Chicago Teachers Union is sponsoring a forum with historian Diane Ravitch at Lane Technical High School, 2501 W. Addison Ave., Chicago, IL beginning at four p.m. after school on Monday, October 15, 2012. Admission . . .
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New York Times notices growing movement to opt out children from testing
With most of the state of Texas and a growing number of public school districts moving to end the regime of high-stakes testing that has characterized the corporate "education reform" movement for the past two . . .
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Club Lago supports teachers, offers free food to CTU members!
Guido and GianCarlo Nardini, owners of Club Lago, 331 W. Superior, will offer free to CTU members through the duration of the strike.
“Club Lago stands in solidarity with Chicago’s educators in their . . .
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Powerful rap praises Chicago teachers
"Chicago Teacher" by Rebel Diaz, produced by DJ ILLANOIZ, written and performed by G1 and RodStarz, and released today on the Rebel Diaz website, covers the highlights of the Chicago Teachers Union strike and . . .
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Veteran activists discuss militant history of Chicago Teachers Union
Four long-time union activists shared how the CTU fought for its contracts and how the strikes in the 1960s through 1980s produced big gains for CTU members, at a CORE forum on Chicago’s northwest side . . .
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CTU pickets Track E schools with 'informational pickets', August 20-24
Chicago Teachers Union launched a city-wide campaign of informational picketing at Track E schools today to highlight ongoing disputes with the Chicago Public School system over a lack of resources and deteriorating labor talks.
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Substance reporter George Schmidt to be on public TV 'Chicago Tonight' show at 7 p.m. July 10
Substance reporter (and founding editor) George Schmidt will be one of the guests on the WTTW television "Chicago Tonight" show at 7:00 p.m. on July 10, 2012. The show, which will also include guests Linda . . .
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CTU rejects independent fact finder report
The Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates voted unanimously to reject a contract negotiations fact finding report issued by Independent Fact Finder Edwin Benn. While the report proposed a fair salary increase for teachers, . . .
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MEDIA WATCH: George Schmidt appearance on Channel 9 (WGN) TV from July 16 now available
Less than a week after WTTW Chicago "public" television blacklisted Substance reporter and Chicago Teachers Union consultant from its "Chicago Tonight" show, Chicago's superstation, WGN TV, invited the union to send an expert to talk . . .
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MEDIA WATCH: Sun-Times shows its anti-union, teacher bashing bias in choice of parent source for its July 22 'strike' story
The venom of one wealthy parent of a selective-enrollment high school student trumped the informed and active concern of a parent leader for the entire Chicago public school community in the Sun-Times, Sunday, July 22, . . .
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CTU/CPS interim agreement decreases CPS previously announced teacher work day hours, opens positions to displaced teachers
CTU President Karen Lewis announced that an interim agreement signed today with CPS was "a win for students and teachers and para professionals and clinicians." The agreement addresses teacher work day hours, 500 new . . .
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Final push for elected school board petitions this weekend
Although the campaign for an elected, representative school board took a hit in City Council when a ward ballot advisory referendum sponsored by 10 aldermen was blocked on July 23, the petition drive to get . . .
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Chicago Tonight continues blacklist against George Schmidt, lies to CTU about reasons for canceling him
Chicago Tonight and the Chicago Teachers Union planned for CTU budget consultant George Schmidt to appear on Chicago Tonight on July 10 to discuss the CPS budget with CPS Chief Administrative Officer Tim Cawley. See . . .
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CTU to hold strike authorization voting beginning June 6
Karen Lewis and the officers and members of the Chicago Teachers Union announced at a packed press conference on Friday afternoon, June 1, 2012, that the union will conduct its strike authorization referendum during the . . .
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In order to skip the ISAT, parents need to keep children at home during testing
My husband George Schmidt and I are going to keep our son Sam (a ten-year-old fifth grader at O.A. Thorp Scholastic Academy in Chicago) home during ISAT testing this week and next week. The tests . . .
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Some family reasons for skipping the ISAT
I will not allow my son Sam take the ISAT this year because there are no good reasons for him to do so. High-stakes tests, like the ISAT, pressure children. They label and stigmatize them. . . .
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Raise Your Hand community forum pushes parent and teacher activism
Since Mayor Rahm Emanual and Chicago public schools chief Jean Claude Brizzard announced the longer day for next year, many parents and educators have been in reactive mode, said Wendy Katten, co-founder of the . . .
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Support Our Libraries... Today (February 6) is the 'Library Call-In Day' to the Mayor's Office
Why should teachers join Chicago's librarians in calling the Mayor's Office on February 6? Teachers aren't the only public servants Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been trying to bully in his foul way. He's also . . .
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Marquette Park march on Martin Luther King holiday challenges CPS attack and 'turnaround' proposal for Marquette Elementary School
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 16, 2012, nearly 300 people protested with the Chicago Teachers Union against the Board of Education’s plan to “turnaround” Marquette Elementary school. Students, teachers, parents, CTU officials, and . . .
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Anti-union, privatization groups pushed the fifth annual 'New Schools Expo' January 28 at Soldier Field
After months of Robo calls and public service announcements and a week of preliminary “news” reports announcing the event, Chicago Public Schools finally held its “New Schools Expo” at Soldier Field’s United Airlines room on . . .
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Hollywood scripting for Chicago's corporate media or simply a lengthy infomercial? How Rahm Emanuel staged a media event to promote 'turnaround' by the AUSL crowd at 'Morton School of Excellence' on November 29
Everyone who spoke at the lengthy November 29, 2011, media event at Morton Elementary School, 451 N. Troy in Chicago, announcing six schools slated for "turnaround" under the management of AUSL (the Academy for Urban . . .
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Cost and abuse of Chicago testing becomes major issue during and following the September 28, 2011 meeting of the Chicago Board of Education
With the intention of alerting the public to the problems with the CPS testing program and to obtain Board financial information, this reporter spoke at the September 28, 2011, Chicago Board of Education meeting.
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CPS standardized testing program is excessive and experimental, and just how expensive?
With the intention of alerting the public to the problems with the CPS testing program and to obtain Board financial information, this reporter spoke at the September 28, 2011, Chicago Board of Education meeting.
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CPS elementary students take over 100 standardized tests
Some of the tests administered to elementary school students and high school students are listed on the CPS website: http://research.cps.k12.il.us/cps/accountweb/Assessment
The reality is that testing varies by area. For example, on the website . . .
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SOS March on Washington gives thousands a chance to shout the truth
After years of suffering test-based education policies that include school closings, job losses, student pressure and grade retention over test scores and loss of valuable education opportunities — teachers, parents, and students from throughout the . . .
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Use Your Teacher Voice video campaign launched by Chicago teacher Adam Heenan
Since Chicago teacher (blogger, organizer and Substance reporter) Adam Heenan launched “Use Your Teacher Voice,”
a video campaign on August 15, the You Tube campaign has been promoted by GOOD . . .
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Students opt out of CPS tests
For more than a year, my husband George Schmidt and I have been opting out our son Sam from the Chicago public schools’ excessive testing program. Any student may opt out of the Scantron Performance . . .
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Junket will cost thousands of dollars while Chicago school board says it's broke... BYOB bus trip, resort accommodations for Area 26 new teachers to learn 'Rubicon Curriculum Mapping'
Several dozen Area 26 first-year teachers will be attending professional development in curriculum mapping Tuesday, March 8 through Thursday, March 10 at the Sawmill Creek Resort in Sandusky, Ohio. The trip begins Tuesday afternoon with . . .
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Sam's perspective: 'It's the right thing to do'
George and I have had many conversations with Sam about school and testing. I knew he was over tested because he told me. We had not received information about testing from the school when he . . .
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How to opt out
It’s simple — say ‘no’ and send a good book to school with your child.
However, parents will face resistance from principals. We spent much time listening to our son’s . . .
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100 + unnecessary tests
The testing schedule in the Chicago public schools varies by school and area. What follows, though, is a typical schedule, as specified on the CPS research and evaluation website. To know exactly which tests will . . .
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Diane Ravitch stirs overflow crowd in CTU lecture
It was a little after noon on March 12, 2011, and while many from Chicago were downtown at the St. Patrick's Day parade and many others had gone to Madison, Wisconsin, for another massive rally . . .
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CTU postpones House of Delegates meeting until Friday, February 2, 2011
The Chicago Teachers Union announced in mid-afternoon on Tuesday, February 1, that the House of Delegates meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 2, at the Operating Engineers union hall (South Grove Street) has been postponed. The . . .
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Scholastic journalists are not the enemy
"A central pillar of President Trump’s politics is a sustained assault on the free press," began the August 15, Boston Glode editorial. "Journalists are not classified as fellow Americans, but rather 'the enemy of the . . .
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Substance News
The October 2018 Substance News homepage is devoted to stories and comments about editor George N. Schmidt, who died on Sept. 17, 2018. Stories about George’s personal life appear on the left column of the . . .
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Labor Beat releases 'Corporate Media and the Pillage of Public Education' showing how reporters for Chicago's corporate daily newspapers and TV distort news to fit the corporate narrative against unions and teachers
Chicago's Labor Beat on August 3, 2010, announced that it has just released its latest study, 'Corporate Media and the Pillage of Public Education.' The video, which is 27 minutes long, features Chicago Teachers Union . . .
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'Hey Barack!... Race to the Top Is a Crock!' Organized by CORE, Chicago teachers and others protest Obama's education policies during August 5, 2010 Chicago visit
Chicago's Labor Beat covered the CORE demonstration against Race To The Top during Barack Obama's visit to Chicago and has produced another video scoop covering a major Chicago story. This time, the Labor Beat video . . .
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O. A. Thorp parents and 38th Ward alderman Tom Allen protest elimination of all-day kindergarten
In the hope that Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Ron Huberman and the Board of Education would reverse their decision to cut full-day kindergarten, parents from O. A. Thorp Scholastic Academy, 6313 W. Warwick, . . .
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Letter to members of the Board of Education regarding the end of all-day kindergarten at O.A. Thorp
Sharon Schmidt
5132 W. Berteau Ave.
Chicago IL 60641
(773) 725-6182; smgschmidt1@aol.com
www.substancenews.net
Wednesday, May 25, 2010
We are asking the Board members and CPS administrators to quickly rethink . . .
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CORE leads vote count
CORE is leading the CTU vote, with approximately 75 percent of the votes counted. At 10:15 p.m. tonight the American Arbitration Association released the following numbers:
15,215 votes counted
UPC: 6,201
CORE: 8,261
. . .
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Lewis thanks supporters at June 12 press conference
In her first press conference as the newly elected president of the Chicago Teachers Union, Karen Lewis promised “the beginning of the end of scapegoating educators.” “We will be working day and night for you,” . . .
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THE HOME STRETCH: CORE speaks to Steinmetz on May 18
Jesse Sharkey, CORE candidate for vice president, and Howard Heath, former CTU vice president, now on the CORE slate as a delegate to the AFT, spoke to a handful of high school teachers at Steinmetz . . .
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SEA caucus, Hajiharis campaign kick-off attracts crowd
Approximately 100 supporters attended the School Employee Alliance (SEA) caucus campaign kick-off event and fundraiser on April 23, 2010, at the Chicago Ale House, 2200 W. Lawrence. The SEA caucus presidential candidate Theodore Hajiharis spoke . . .
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Chicago needs to establish parents' and children's rights in all CPS testing programs
Reporter's note: The first "official" words on Chicago parents' rights to opt out our children from standardized testing were written by CPS officials after I delivered the following speech the the Chicago Board of . . .
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CORE testing task force begins work on activist agenda at January 20 founding meeting
The Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) "Testing Task Force" met for the first time on January 20, 2010. Convened by CORE after reports from the teachers union of British Columbia that the union . . .
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Research shows academic, physical and emotional benefits of recess
Students, parents, and teachers know from personal experience that children need unstructured breaks in their day. Research also has proven the physical, emotional, academic, and social benefits of recess. For information, see any of the . . .
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Will 'Dallas v. CTU' be the next expensive legal mistake from Marilyn Stewart? Substance editor George Schmidt wins $166,000 after four-year legal battle against Stewart's 'You're fired!'
On June 12, 2008, Substance editor George N. Schmidt received a check for $166,774.38 signed by Chicago Teachers Union President Marilyn Stewart following a four-year legal battle in a case that became known as “Schmidt . . .
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University of Arizona... Substance editor receive 'Dr. Kenneth Goodman in defense of good teaching' award
Substance editor George N. Schmidt received the Kenneth S. Goodman “In Defense of Good Teaching” award on March 8, 2008, at the University of Arizona in Tuscon. The university’s Department of Language, Reading and Culture . . .
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'The Read Aloud Handbook' inspires parents and teachers
Jim Trelease’s “The Read Aloud Handbook” lays out the evidence for reading aloud to children — at home and in the classroom — in a highly accessible book (2006, Sixth Edition, Penguin Books, 340 pages).
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'Real Men Read' program aims to motivate CPS boys and girls to love books, enjoy reading
Thousands of children and many of their mentors celebrated the culmination of the first year of the Real Men Read program May 30 at a picnic on Northerly Island. During the Real Men Read program, . . .
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'It's time for the children of Chicago to play!'... Recess bill passes Illinois House of Representatives
A bill introduced to the Illinois General Assembly by Representative Mary E. Flowers, requiring the Chicago Board of Education to provide recess for elementary students, passed the House of Representatives 111 to 5 on May . . .
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'Educator Roundtable' holds first meeting in Atlanta... Loud 'No!' to No Child Left Behind
While the nation’s news media attempt to claim that the range of opinion on the federal “No Child Left Behind” law ranges from “modify it” to “keep it as is,” there is a growing movement . . .
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Chicago report shows perils of NCLB sanctions against schools, teachers
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Test-driven reforms of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act have been tried and failed in Chicago, according to a report, “Chicago School Reform: Lessons for the Nation.”
