Sarah Karp

Stories by Sarah Karp
A new Chicago dashboard tracks how youth are faring in every corner of the city
The tool paints perhaps the most comprehensive picture to date of how kids in each community are doing in school, in finding work and financially.
Chicago students are working to improve their schools through student voice committees
As part of a shift in civics education, CPS is moving beyond facts and dates and toward helping students experience what it is like to create change.
One year before Chicago’s first school board election, key details remain unresolved
Lawmakers agreed on a voting map but are considering a last-minute proposal to accelerate moving to a fully elected board. Here’s a primer for you.
Suburban Chicago Islamic school copes with fear, sadness after threat
Principal Tammie Ismail, like many, feels that dehumanizing rhetoric spread by U.S. politicians and media about Palestinians, Muslims and Arabs in the wake of the war in Gaza has inspired hate that’s endangering her students.
Latest Chicago elected school board voting map emerges
In one year, Chicago voters will choose school board members for the first time. But first, state lawmakers have to finally agree on the voting map.
Illinois reading scores bounce back, but math scores remain below pre-pandemic levels
New state test results also show higher graduation rates and strong gains for Black students, though their average scores still lag behind.
Chicago families left without a bus ride to CPS this year are demanding help
Amid a bus driver shortage, CPS in August canceled bus service for 5,500 eligible students in magnet and selective enrollment schools.
Chicago is moving to an elected school board but half of voters aren’t aware, poll finds
Voters will elect school board members for the first time in November 2024. There’s a public hearing Thursday on proposed voting districts.
Maligned CPS budgeting model has boosted funding equity in Chicago, research finds
Critics say CPS’ budgeting system hurts schools with dropping enrollment, but a study shows it also helps redirect money to low-income students.
Black community leaders call on CPS to fix achievement gap
A couple dozen Black leaders attended Thursday’s Board of Education meeting to ask for a committee that would develop a strategy to help Black students academically.