AustinTalks | education

Opinion

Improving education in Illinois

By Rep. La Shawn Ford | March 16, 2021

Legislation signed into law last week by Gov. J.B. Pritzker expands already required Black history coursework to include pre-enslavement of Black people, why Black people came to be enslaved and the American Civil Rights renaissance. The new law – a key part of the Illinois Black Caucus’ legislative agenda – also increases the percentage of grant funds prioritized for Black males and incorporates consideration of financial need in awarding grants, among other improvements to higher education.

Chicago Public Schools

West Side LSCs still seek members after low turnout

By Shelby E. Hawkins | February 17, 2021

There are nearly 700 open seats on 267 local school councils across the city; five schools in Austin are still looking for members to serve. See the list AustinTalks has compiled of members currently serving on LSCs in Austin.

After School Matters

Applications open for After School Matters spring programs

By AustinTalks | February 2, 2021

Slots are available for approximately 8,000 young people to participate in the after-school program that begins the week of March 8. The programs will be offered remotely, as they have been since last summer. Teens will earn a stipend between $90 and $250 depending on the length and level of expertise required for the program.

Business

St. Catherine – St. Lucy students hope to repeat last year’s performance in stock market contest

By Suzanne McBride | January 5, 2021

The 8th grade class is competing in an annual, year-long competition that introduces investing basics and the importance of financial intelligence to hundreds of students in the Chicago area. Last year, the 8th graders from St. Catherine – St. Lucy placed third out of 64 teams.

black excellence

Lewis School receives grant to help teachers be more culturally responsive

By Shelby E. Hawkins | December 30, 2020

Principal Aquabah Gonney-Buckner was able to secure $10,000 in funding for her school, the Leslie Lewis School of Excellence. Teachers at the Austin school are learning about the history of race and race relations to prepare themselves for the difficult conversations they say students are ready to have.

News

Host of COVID-related problems continue to affect West Siders

By Zach Cunning | December 16, 2020

At a community meeting hosted last weekend by state Rep. La Shawn Ford, community members discussed concerns they have about e-learning and the opioid crisis, which is hitting the West Side even harder this year than in 2019.

education

Local School Council elections held this week

By AustinTalks | November 18, 2020

Elementary school LSC elections are Nov. 18, and high school LSC elections are Nov. 19. In-person polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Local school councils — made up of parents, students and community members that can make school budget and principal hiring decisions — were once seen as a bastion of school-level democracy, according to Block Club Chicago.

Community

Austin lawmaker proposes changing the state’s history teaching standards

By AustinTalks | October 10, 2020

State Rep. La Shawn Ford is proposing legislation that would create a commission to review and update Illinois’ history curriculum so that textbooks, class discussion and other course material more accurately reflect history through the inclusion of diverse perspectives.

Opinion

Youth call on Chicago Board of Education to remove police from schools

By AustinTalks | August 26, 2020

VOYCE – a youth organizing collaborative led by students of color from six community groups – says the school resource officer (SRO) program criminalizes Black students. Instead, the youth want CPS to invest in a trauma-informed public health approach to safety. The board of education is expected to vote Aug. 26th on the issue.

News

Dozens of young people in Austin protest police in schools

By Zach Cunning | August 25, 2020

About 50 people gathered at La Follette Park Friday before marching to Chicago Board of Education member Dwayne Truss’ residence. They were protesting the contract between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Police Department, and calling on Truss to vote against the contract at CPS’ Aug. 26th meeting.