News and Advocacy

Cleaning House: The End of CPS's Contract with Aramark

As the custodial management contract with Aramark inside Chicago Public Schools (CPS) comes to an end, there’s a palpable mix of anticipation and reservation.The decision to bring management back unde

AFSA Joins Hands with Italian School Leaders

AFSA has embarked on an official collaboration with the largest network of school leaders in Italy, Senza Zaino.

Data-Driven AP Lifts Up Students, Teachers

Lizzy Crispin headed the committee that led Leonardo da Vinci High School to become the first and only Blue Ribbon high school in Buffalo, New York.

A Video Tribute to Robert Croston

On Sunday, services were held for Robert Croston and our brother was laid to rest. His wife sent out a call for people to make short videos about Rob, and we responded with the video below. He left an immense legacy for us to uphold.

Respectfully,
Troy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-DHsA25lvc&feature=emb_title

Two Days Left for Principals to Contribute to ISBE Special Education Inquiry

As you know, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is conducting an inquiry into special education policy at CPS. Last Friday at 1:46 PM, LIz Kirby, CPS Chief of School Strategy and Planning, sent the following email to principals encouraging them to cooperate with the inquiry by sending the attached flyer home with students.

ISBE Asks for CPAA Special Education Survey Data

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has begun its public inquiry into CPS special education policy.  The inquiry team will collect evidence and testimony on these issues and present its findings to the State Board in a final report. The findings will then be made available to the public.

The ISBE inquiry is focused on four key questions:

  1. Do CPS' documentation and data collection requirements result in unlawful denial or delay in the identification of eligibility or provision of special education and related services to students?

President LaRaviere Delivers Compelling Testimony on Special Education Before the Illinois House Education Committee

On Friday, CPAA testified before the Illinois House Education Committee as the Illinois General Assembly sought to hold CPS accountable for defunding your schools’ special education programs. Three of the points we drove home with our research are:

  1. CPS lumped special education and general education into a zero-sum funding competition with one another by insisting schools pay for special education services through cutting staff from the general education program.

President LaRaviere Delivers Compelling Testimony on Special Education Before the Illinois House Education Committee

On Friday, CPAA testified before the Illinois House Education Committee as the Illinois General Assembly sought to hold CPS accountable for defunding your schools’ special education programs. Three of the points we drove home with our research are:

CPAA and Community Partners Prevail: ISBE to Launch Special Education Investigation

School Leaders:

As you know, CPAA and several advocacy organizations requested the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) intervene with the CPS Special Education program. ISBE has responded with anannouncement that they’ll investigate CPS’s special education practices.