News and Advocacy

Kia Banks Addresses Chicago Board of Education

Good morning, I don’t have to tell you school leaders in Chicago Public Schools are busy people.

CPAA Thanks Chief Education Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova on Her Next Chapter

The Chicago Principals and Administrators Association (CPAA), the union representing Chicago’s principals and assistant principals, extend

DOE’s Withholding of $6.9 Billion in FY2025 K-12 Funding Threatens Student Success and Paralyzes School Systems Nationwide

School leaders now face the impossible task of opening schools without knowing whether the federal funds they relied on will arrive—or when.

Day Care Council, CSA Reach Deal to Boost Child Care Directors' Pay

The agreement, which was ratified this month, covers 150 directors and assistant directors, and spans from Oct. 1, 2020, through March 2028. The tentative deal includes a ratification bonus, annual retention bonuses and increases to the union’s welfare fund.

AFSA Members Heading Blue Ribbon Schools

Dozens of schools across the nation led by AFSA members have been awarded Blue Ribbon designation by the U.S. Department of Education. 

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, started in 1982, recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Governor Pritzker Signs HB297

It’s Official!

Our Arbitration Bill, which passed both the House and Senate, has now been formally signed into law by Governor Pritzker! We are thrilled to celebrate its passage and want to extend our deepest gratitude to every single member who made calls, signed petitions, sent messages, and stood with us through this journey. It’s been a tough fight, but together, we’ve secured the protections we deserve as Chicago’s foremost school leaders: principals and assistant principals. 

There are key players we absolutely must thank:

Bill to Expose Health Insurers’ Claim Denials

How many times has this sequence happened to you or someone you know?

You get sick. You go to the doctor. She or he prescribes treatment for you…antibiotics, medicines, surgery, physical therapy, whatever. Her office submits the payment claim to your insurance company. The company turns thumbs down, and you get stuck with the bill—a bill that can run into thousands of dollars or even land you in bankruptcy court.

School Leaders and Sleep

March is National Sleep Month, a time to emphasize the vital role sleep plays in our daily lives. While the connection between sleep and leadership is often overlooked, it's essential to recognize how sleep impacts the well-being and effectiveness of school leaders. Educators face a range of responsibilities—managing staff, monitoring student performance, addressing crises and making decisions that affect the entire school community.

Women’s History Month: Margarita Hernandez-Abeigon

“Seeing my parents struggle, I wanted to be independent and self-sufficient."