Chicago Teachers Strike Over; Students Back in Classrooms Today
Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »
CHICAGO – Chicago Public Schools are open again today as the Chicago Teachers Union ended the first teachers strike in 25 years in the nation's third largest school district after teacher delegates voted on the concept of a new contract.
Indians on the Picket Line
Some 16,166 American Indian students were among the 350,000 students in the Chicago Public Schools who have been out of school for seven days.
“Our students will be back in school tomorrow with their teachers, right where they belong,”
said Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard late Tuesday.
“There, they will continue their learning with the full school day, using more time for reading, math, science, world languages and enrichment such as arts, music and physical education.”
The new contract includes:
- Elementary students gain 1 ¼ hours and high school students gain a ½ hour.
- All students gain two additional weeks.
- Principals retain authority to hire teachers of their choice.
- For the first time, layoff decisions will be based on performance.
- Groundbreaking evaluation system that accounts for student growth and supports teacher development.
At least one teacher, a Lumbee, is not totally happy with outcome of the seven-day strike.
Previous Coverage
16,166 Native Children Are Going Without an Education for the Third Day
New Hope for End of Chicago Public Schools Strike
Chicago Public Schools Remain Closed Today
“I am feeling this was all for nothing. We sacrificed days with no pay, only to go back to the drawing board,”
commented art teacher Nicole Lombardi commented to the Native News Network on Tuesday evening.
“I am happy to be back in the classroom. It will really be played out over the next few months, but I feel we were duped. I just feel that our voices weren't heard in the media and the mayor was able to put a spin on everything and discredit us, which is disappointing and sad.”
posted September 18, 2012 10:10 am edt
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