One-third of students who attend Chicago Public Schools began the new school year today. The school day is longer this year, but how is the time being spent? And is there any progress on teacher contract negotiations? CPS and CTU heads join us with updates.

Chicago Public Schools will hire nearly 500 teachers to accommodate a longer day for students. What does this mean for students and teachers? Paris Schutz has the latest.

The School Board and the union rejected a report that was originally meant to strike a compromise between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union. Now, a 30-day countdown begins to a possible teacher's strike. We talk with Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard and a union rep about the messy path forward.

Chicago Public Schools just released its proposed budget for next year. For many, it's a stunner, with the district planning to completely empty its bank account. We get reaction from all sides.

Chicago teachers begin voting Wednesday to authorize a strike. Why have relations between the CPS and the union deteriorated so badly? We hear from schools chief Jean-Claude Brizard.

Some aldermen are pushing schools to ban saggy pants and any "gangster-style" clothing. We hear both sides of this emotional debate.

Mayor Emanuel gives some ground on longer school days, after complaints from some teachers and parents that the original proposal was too long. But does today's action settle the dispute over the future of Chicago Public Schools? Paris Schutz reports.

A longer school day and extended year is slated to take effect for Chicago Public Schools, despite public outcry and what officials call a staggering budget deficit. Paris Schutz has the details.

A new app from government data hounds, Open City, aims to make CPS admissions a little easier.

An obscure state law allowed former alderman and Cook County Commissioner William Beavers to more than double his city pension; and he did it legally. Carol Marin and her guests have the details.

Public outcry is growing over plans to shut down or shake up 16 Chicago Public Schools. Elizabeth Brackett has more on a day of protest. Then, Carol Marin talks with leaders from CPS and the Teachers Union.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard joins us to discuss new sick-day policies and more.

Does the so-called "turnaround" of an underperforming school really make it better? A new report from the University of Chicago has some answers. We hear from representatives of the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union.

Parents in some Chicago neighborhoods are angry over changes proposed by Chicago Public Schools.

Nearly 40 percent of Chicago Public School students drop out. Why are they dropping out and what can be done to get them back on track to graduate? Elizabeth Brackett looks at two programs with some answers. Then, we talk with Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard about the dropout epidemic and how CPS is working to change it.

Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard is here to talk about new research showing African-American and Latino students testing far behind their white counterparts in the Chicago Public Schools -- and what he plans to do about it.