The Economist cited Wirepoints’ research on empty Chicago schools in an article this week.
Read The Economist piece: America’s schools are heading for a crunch
Read more from Wirepoints:
- New CPS data: Mayor Lightfoot, Chicago Teachers Union continue to keep dozens of empty, failing schools open
- Good luck attracting more teachers into Illinois classrooms…especially after looking at the record of Illinois’ new State Superintendent.
- Don’t assume more funding makes schools better
- Not a single student can do math at grade level in 53 Illinois schools. For reading, it’s 30 schools
With $162 billion more from taxpayers, couldn’t you deliver a few bond upgrades, too
Audio and summary 
A largely unasked question is becoming glaring: Is Illinois doing all it should to use artificial intelligence to make government cost less and work better? So far, the evidence says no.
The Chicago Teacher’s Union is responsible for this. Soon to be former mayor Lori Lightfoot caved to the teacher’s union twice and agreed to their demands and salary/benefit increases. Hopefully, Paul Vallas will become the next mayor and will stop all this wasted money and close those schools with less than 70% capacity and find a legal way to terminate non-performing teachers.
Sounds like it’s the mayors fault. Unions are designed to get the best contract they can obtain. Nothing prevents management from being tough. You even point out Vallas will be better. Stop blaming employees for trying to maximize their pay and benefits.
The big time! Congratulations to WirePoints!
Cost per student is very high in the Chitty of Chicago, the results are even lower.
CPS is the laughingstock of the country.
Unaffordable costs and zero return means it’s working. It’s working! Seriously