Getting parents involved - Before states' rights and local control became a national obsession, Chicago parents staked out right to run schools. Elected school councils hire and fire principals, fight bureaucratic gridlock. Voter turnout was strong in recent elections, April 17-18. New teaching methods - Schools have launched major efforts to bring new methods into classrooms. Under scrutiny from reformers, CEO Paul Vallas vows to rebuild schools, root out corruption, squeeze more from budget.
Schools control how they spend some funds.
State law favors districts with wealthy property-tax bases, creating disparity between rich, poor areas. Gov. Jim Edgar in spring proposed hiking income tax, reducing property taxes to lessen the difference, but Republican legislators, fearing voter backlash, said no. Counterproposal by House Speaker Lee Daniels would increase funds but not lessen disparity. Contact sources above or Community News Project to set up visits to these or other schools. Success Stories on the Highway to Change describes improvements at 10 schools.