Homeless children have certain rights aimed at maintaining stability for them at school, including the ability to stay at the school they’ve been attending.

The admissions process has built up a reputation for being stressful on families, but many value the ability to choose a school they see as the best fit for their child.

The financial cost of college was a big reason students have leaned toward schools that are an undermatch, in lieu of attending more selective schools

Illinois is one of the few states that have not expanded their voucher-like program. During the veto session, lawmakers did not move a bill that would have extended the state’s program, known as Invest in Kids.

The details of Chicago’s 2024 school board elections are still being hammered out by state lawmakers.

Senate Democrats put forward a plan that would allow residents in 10 of 20 districts — or only half of Chicago – to vote for school board members in 2024. Now, House Democrats want to pair the 20 districts so everyone could vote.   

State lawmakers put forward the new proposal late Friday ahead of next week’s veto session. It also creates ethics rules and a committee focused on Black student achievement.

Illinois lawmakers have released a new draft map of 20 districts for Chicago Board of Education elections. Elections for 10 of the 21 seats are set for November 2024.

As Mayor Brandon Johnson and his hand-picked school board exert their influence, charter families and advocates see challenges ahead for the sector.

The Class of 2023 were freshmen when the pandemic disrupted in-person learning. District data indicate 84% of those students graduated in four years, the highest rate in modern history.

Illinois students are starting to gain ground on learning recovery but test scores lag behind pre-pandemic levels and chronic absenteeism is still high.

Some of the students have endured dangerous journeys to the United States, on top of the disruption of leaving their homes behind.

Districts across the nation, including Chicago, have been bracing for financial challenges as their pandemic relief dollars run out.

The governor will work with the legislature in spring 2024 to formalize the new agency’s structure. He is appointing a transition director and advisory committee to help figure out how to bring together preschool funding, daycare licensing, early intervention, and the state’s child care assistance program. 

State lawmakers have introduced a measure during veto session that would lift the ban on paying board members from Chicago’s elected school board.

Chicago teachers showed up at the Illinois State Board of Education’s monthly meeting to urge board members to help the city’s public schools with the ongoing migrant crisis.