WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

A new coalition of parents says it’ll be pushing for an elected school board in Chicago.The parents are mad at the school district over a whole host of issues. Some oppose the board’s policy of closing down failing schools. Others think the district is demonizing teachers.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he did not direct a consulting firm with ties to him to help groups in favor of his education reforms.The Chicago Tribune reports Resolute Consulting gave money and organizational aid to religious and community groups in favor of lengthening school days, strengthening

Chicago Public Schools is releasing Monday a guide for principals to help them implement the new, longer school day. The benchmarks are for principals of CPS elementary schools and they're designed to boost academic achievement by requiring certain amounts of instructional time in various subjects.

The battle over how long teachers and students should be in the classroom continues for Chicago Public Schools.

An unfair labor practices complaint filed by the Chicago Teachers Union is moving forward. It challenges the district’s school-by-school push for a longer school day.The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board determined late Thursday that a violation of labor laws may have occurred.

About 300,000 Chicago kids head back to school today.Some are heading into completely new school buildings or programs.In just 10 months, a shiny metal-and-glass, super-modern school has emerged from vacant industrial land on the Southwest Side.  It’s an UNO charter school, where Juan Rangel is