Chicago charter schools underperform traditional schools, according to a study by the Institute on Metropolitan Opportunity. We talk with the director of the institute about the study.  

The Chicago School Board approved seven new charter schools for the city. Where are they located in comparison with the neighborhood schools that were closed down? View a map of charter vs. neighborhood schools.

Chicago Public Schools officials are calling for new charter schools despite massive neighborhood school closings and deep budget cuts. Elizabeth Brackett has the details. Read CPS's full proposal.

She was one of the strongest voices in the school reform movement, but less than a decade ago, Diane Ravitch, a former assistant secretary of education under President George H. W. Bush, had a change of heart.

We share your comments about recent stories when we read Viewer Mail.

The mayor begins rolling out an ambitious expansion of charter schools. We look at how these schools fit into Chicago's contentious education plans.

As the teachers' strike comes to an end, Bruce Rauner, a board member from the Chicago Public Education Fund, says teachers unions protect bad teachers. Rauner and Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Jesse Sharkey join us.

While the Chicago teachers’ strike continues into a second day, some 52,000 students are going about their normal, daily routines. These students are served by the 119 charter schools in Chicago.

Are Charter Schools a shining example for the future-- or a budget busting waste of money?  As contract talks intensify between the Chicago Public Schools and its teachers, we take up that debate.