Our Stories

Our Stories

An ambitious plan for CPS

Sep 18, 202402 min read
Chicago flag
In December, we sounded the alarm when CPS’ board adopted a vision to transition away from public school options.  But Chicago parents stepped up and spoke out. This morning, the Chicago School Board called a Special Board meeting to pass their five-year strategic plan for CPS schools that calls for “supporting schools across multiple models, […]

Stand Policy Fellowship 2024-25

Aug 16, 202403 min read
two black women in a business meeting
If this sounds like you… …then the 2024-2025 Stand for Children Policy Fellowship is for you!  Stand for Children is a unique catalyst for educational equity and racial justice, to create a brighter future for us all. Our mission is to expand equitable access to public education opportunities for all children – especially those who […]

A Naperville teen spent years in court over a misunderstanding

Aug 13, 202403 min read
Marla Baker and Amara Harris
Students in Illinois can be fined up to $750 by the police for non-criminal, school-based behaviors, requiring them to attend local administrative hearings that lack any due process protections. This process is called ‘municipal ticketing.’ Marla Baker’s daughter, Amara Harris, was having a normal day at school until she was accused of stealing another student’s […]

HOUSE BILL 303 WILL PROTECT ALL CHICAGO SCHOOLS

May 24, 202403 min read
Illinois State Capitol
Stand for Children Calls on the Senate to Save Critical Bill The following statement can be attributed to Jessica Handy, Illinois Executive Director of Stand for Children: “HB 303 would extend the moratorium on school closures for ALL Chicago Public Schools until the fully elected school board is seated. ALL of them. Magnet, charter, neighborhood, […]

Confused about… whether Illinois owes Chicago Public Schools $1 billion?

May 21, 202405 min read
Political cartoon depicting people marching toward the edge of a cliff. The cliff has a sign on the side that says "Coming soon to a school near you," and the edge is labeled "federal fiscal cliff, Sept. '24." The people are holding signs reading "cost of living increases," "teacher shortage," "migrant influx," and "persistent under-funding." At the bottom of the cliff is a safety net labeled "evidence based funding."
Evidence-Based Funding If the Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) Formula were fully funded, Illinois schools would see about $4.5 billion more in State funds, of which around $1 billion would go to CPS. When EBF passed, there was a stated intention to reach full funding by 2028 and a somewhat contradictory establishment of a $350 million “Minimum […]

The NewsSTAND: May 2024

May 16, 202401 min read
September 2023. The NewsSTAND. blue gradient
The Occasional Publication for Persistent Education Friends