Chicago Public School has appointed Chicago Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz as interim CPS CEO, replacing Barbara Byrd-Bennett who is taking a paid leave of absence amidst a federal investigation of a $20.5 million no-bid contract. What are the implications of this on CPS contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union? Carol Marin and her panel discuss the latest CPS news and the future of the district.

CPS Facing Federal Investigation

We share what you had to say about the federal investigation of Chicago Public Schools  in tonight's viewer feedback.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett has taken a leave of absence amidst a federal investigation into a no-bid contract awarded to a company that once employed her.
Gov. Bruce Rauner said this week that bankruptcy may be the best option for the Chicago Public Schools system to get its fiscal house in order. One day later, it was revealed that the federal government is investigating CPS. News reports say the investigation involves a no-bid contract for principal training awarded to a company that once employed CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett. We'll discuss the challenges facing CPS with a panel of experts.

Jesse Jackson Jr., CPS and CTU, Urban Coyotes

We share what you had to say about Jesse Jackson Jr.'s release from prison, contract negotiations between CPS and CTU, and Chicago's urban coyotes in tonight's viewer feedback.
Contract negotiations between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools have formally begun – and the union’s initial list of demands is not the traditional one. We have the details.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett announced this morning that the district will, in fact, administer the PARCC test to all required grades, rather than 10 percent of schools as previously planned. We have the details.
In recent weeks, the Chicago Board of Education has received letters from both the state Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education threatening the loss of more than $1 billion if Chicago Public Schools fails to administer the controversial standardized test, PARCC. Wednesday's meeting is the Board's first since those communications from the state and federal governments. Find out what, if any, action they take. We also have reaction to the referendum on an elected school board, and information on what actions the school board is considering to save $10 million.
A new project from the University of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools focuses on preparing middle school students for college readiness.

Study Says 14 Percent Earn 4-Year Degrees

A new report updates the percentage of Chicago Public Schools' ninth-graders who will graduate from college by the time they turn 25.
A debate rages in City Council over whether or not Chicago Public Schools can recover millions lost in toxic bond deals, in light of the Chicago Tribune's investigation. Paris Schutz has the details.
The Chicago Tribune's analysis of borrowing by Chicago Public Schools has been causing quite a stir. The reporters on the story lay out what they found.
Whether you support Chicago neighborhood schools or the creation of more charters, many residents agree that something needs to be done to bolster Chicago's education system. But how did we get to this point? A new docu-series traces the history of school strife in Chicago and the issues facing our youngest generation to spur conversation and change.  
CPS high school students in need of non-traditional high school settings can choose among more than 40 Options Schools. Learn more about these schools and why CPS has expanded the number of seats available. 
The mayor pulls a sneaky end-run around aldermen who had wanted city voters to weigh in on whether or not there should be an elected Chicago Public School Board. Paris Schutz has the latest on today’s strange developments.
Since launching the Student Outreach and Re-engagement centers, or SOAR, Chicago Public Schools has helped 170 former high school dropouts earn their diplomas. Find out how the program works and what students are saying about it.
 

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