Soto bill would stop Chicago school closings

Curtis Black at Huffington:

A report at Community Media Workshop's Newstips details how CPS's imprecise measurements of space utilization -- which disregard students with special needs and enrichment programs at schools -- are used to close good neighborhood schools in order to free up real estate for new charters and other Renaissance 2010 schools. The pattern of school closings often indicates an agenda of promoting gentrification.

On a positive note

The current issue of Catalyst, ("Renaissance Workforce,") features two small schools I like: Ace Tech and Austin Poly.

To date, there are few measures of the school’s effectiveness. Only freshmen and sophomores are enrolled this year. But a majority of students surveyed by the district reported that the school is safe and teachers are supportive.