As the longer school day debate simmers – for now — with the recent compromise reached by Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union, the labor group is now putting more of its focus on the issue of classroom size. The union has launched a campaign to decrease class size in schools and change a 1995 Amendatory Act that prohibits CTU from negotiating over class size, staffing, or teacher assignments.
Union leaders say it is important to address the issue of class size during a time when the Board is moving increasingly closer to closing and consolidating more schools, especially since "class size reduction is one of only four, evidence-based reforms that have been proven to increase student achievement," explains a CTU release.
Read more »
Teacher union leaders staged a charged rally in downtown Chicago yesterday punctuated by Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis asking the assembled crowd, “What are we here for?” and the crowd chanting back, “Strike!”
The Chicago Board Education unanimously approved Wednesday night to
close, phase out, or turnaround 17 academically struggling Chicago
public schools.