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
- WBEZ Investigations
Celebrated all-boys charter school in Chicago cited by CPS for ‘dismal’ financial management

CPS says Urban Prep operated using cash advances and predatory loans. School leaders say its financial issues have been resolved.
June 30 read more
- Education
Does Chicago’s Near South Side need a new $120 million high school?

The Chicago Board of Education postponed a vote on Wednesday on a controversial proposal to build a new high school near Chinatown.
Updated June 22 read more
- Education
As cops leave Chicago public schools, staff move fitfully toward a new model of helping students

The departure is part of a broad effort to move away from suspensions and arrests. But replacing police in schools has proven to be complicated.
June 16 read more
- Education
- Race, Class & Communities
Private fundraising in Chicago Public Schools — who wins and who loses?

WBEZ found that fundraising by CPS schools has skyrocketed since 2010. And the big fundraising is by schools where most kids aren’t low income.
June 2 read more
- Education
Stacy Davis Gates elected Chicago Teachers Union President, defeating two challengers

The current CTU leadership group was reelected in the union’s most hotly contested race since their slate came to power in 2010.
Updated May 21 read more
- Education
Chicago teachers will soon decide if their union should remain a political force for social justice

In a May 20 leadership election, teachers will choose whether to focus more on classic concerns such as pay, prep time and pensions.
May 11 read more
- Education
A winning Chicago public school made the city softball playoffs. But CPS couldn’t get them to the field.

Hancock Prep didn’t compete because there was no bus. Players say this shows a lack of support for their Southwest Side school and others like it.
Updated May 10 read more
- Education
Racial issues remain unaddressed at Jones College Prep, students and staff say

A new racial equity study underscores frustration among students and staff, and the ways in which school leaders have failed to tackle these issues.
Updated May 4 read more
- Education
Chicago public schools brace for budget cuts as enrollment continues to decline

Parents and community members say the reduction in resources will hurt students already struggling with the effects of the pandemic.
April 13 read more
- Education
Chicago Public Schools is flush with federal COVID-19 relief cash but is spending little of it

A WBEZ analysis shows that 69% of the $536 million in federal COVID relief money CPS budgeted this year is unspent.
Mar. 24 read more