Sarah Karp

Stories by Sarah Karp
The Board of Education says now is the time to avoid a $600 million CPS deficit
Federal pandemic relief funding has papered over long-standing issues, but that money is set to run out in two years.
Chicago’s mayoral candidates have radically different approaches to fixing public schools. Here’s why.
Paul Vallas is a technocrat devoted to school choice. Brandon Johnson is a teachers union organizer. Their backgrounds explain their clashing views.
Un programa de Illinois para salvar las vidas de menores con tendencias suicidas es, para muchos, un camino a ninguna parte
Una investigación de WBEZ encontró que la solución del estado se está debilitando ante la creciente demanda de servicios de salud mental, especialmente entre menores de familias de bajos ingresos.
Few hospitals are willing to bear the cost of providing psychiatric care for kids
Only about 30 hospitals statewide have beds for kids who need inpatient mental health care. “No matter what the investment is, we need to make it,” says one doctor.
What’s your experience with youth mental health in Illinois?
A WBEZ investigation found a lifeline for children in extreme emotional distress has become a bridge to nowhere. Help us dig deeper into youth mental health issues.
An Illinois lifeline program for suicidal kids has become a bridge to nowhere for many
A WBEZ investigation finds that the state’s solution is buckling under the demand among low-income children for urgent mental health services.
Kids in crisis face long waitlists as they struggle to get appointments for therapy
Treatment options for the low-income children served by SASS are limited by insurance hoops, systemic blockers and the sheer scarcity of therapists.
Lightfoot’s campaign sent 9,900 emails seeking support from CPS and City Colleges staff, documents show
Lightfoot’s campaign says again that they halted the recruitment effort to CPS and City Colleges students.
Why has the CPS budget increased while enrollment has shrunk?
In The People’s Agenda survey from WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times, a question about the Chicago Public Schools budget required explaining.
Chicago Public Schools grapples with a spike in after-school killings
Last year, nine children 17 years old or younger were killed on a weekday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., a WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times analysis found.