Sarah Karp

Reporter, Education

Sarah Karp is a reporter at WBEZ. A former reporter for Catalyst-Chicago, the Chicago Reporter and the Daily Southtown, Karp has covered education, and children and family issues for more than 15 years. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. She has won five Education Writers Association awards, three Society of Professional Journalism awards and the 2005 Sidney Hillman Award. She is a native of Chicago.

Stories by Sarah Karp

- Education
‘You Don’t Know What Tomorrow Is Going To Look Like:’ Reflections From The Class Of 2021

Meet four high school seniors from the Chicago area and listen as they share stories of a senior year like no other.
June 2 read more
- Education
Chicago’s Mayor Vows To Change Elected School Board Bill Before It Becomes Law

Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the bill passed by the Illinois Senate Tuesday could hurt the school district’s ability to replace the outgoing CEO.
Updated June 2 read more
- Education
The Pandemic Propelled CPS From The Tech ‘Dark Ages’ Into The Modern Computing Age

CPS bought 170,000 laptops and iPads in the last year. Elated school staff wonder if the tech focus can be sustained.
May 26 read more
- Education
Will Chicago Get An Elected School Board?

WBEZ breaks down the two competing bills in Springfield, who’s on what side and the odds of any legislation actually passing.
May 21 read more
- Education
Janice Jackson On An Elected School Board, Declining Enrollment And Why She’s Leaving CPS

As CPS CEO Janice Jackson prepares to step down, she urges the next CEO to focus on academics and not get distracted by the “silly stuff.”
May 7 read more
- Education
Learning Loss, Declining Enrollment And A Combative Teachers Union: What Lies Ahead For CPS’ Next CEO

Janice Jackson’s replacement would also enter as the mayor begins gearing up for reelection, leaving the new CEO’s long-term fate unclear.
May 5 read more
- Education
National Search For New CPS Leader Begins As CEO Announces Plans To Step Down

CEO Janice Jackson is resigning after more than three years on the job. She joins other top CPS leaders who recently announced their departures.
Updated May 3 read more
- Education
Door Cracks Open For A Vote On A Chicago Elected School Board In Illinois Senate

Illinois’ senate president tells WBEZ he wants to call a bill to eventually create a fully elected board. Previous bills have been blocked.
Updated April 30 read more
- Environment & Public Health
Need A Chicken With That Blouse? Shopping Malls Search For Ways To Remain Useful.

COVID-19 may be easing, but some malls still face the threat of changing shopping habits and struggling anchor stores.
April 29 read more
- Education
Chicago High Schools Restart In-Person Classes More Than A Year After Shutting Down

As many as 26,000 public high schoolers are due back in schools beginning Monday. Teachers approved the reopening agreement this weekend.
Updated April 19 read more