Chicago Public Schools teachers’ strike over

[Robb]

Source: Chicago Sun Times

The Chicago teachers’ strike is over.

The Chicago Teachers Union’s House of Delegates voted Tuesday to end its strike after seven days, meaning classes will be in session Wednesday for 350,000 Chicago Public Schools students.

“Everybody is going back to school,” said Jay Rehak, a delegate from Whitney Young High School.

Delegate Mike Bochner said “an overwhelming majority” of delegates voted to suspend the strike.

Read more: http://www.suntimes.com/15224814-761/chicago-public-schools-teachers-strike-over.html

[louis-t]

1. Good.

[frazzled]

2. Hallelujah

And just let me say one little thing. This is how collective bargaining is supposed to work. For those who were trying to make Chicago into Scott Walker's Wisconsin, you couldn't be farther off base. This contract has been under negotiation since last November. Each side seems to have gotten some of what they wanted: there's a longer school day to put Chicago within the range of other cities; teachers are getting a good raise; the forty-year-old teacher checklist evaluation now includes student improvement on tests scores and other criteria, but test scores will comprise a smaller part of those evaluations than originally proposed.

Both sides came in with strong demands; both sides have met in the middle and gotten something. I'm happy everyone's going back to school.

[charmay]

4. agree!

Collective bargaining is neutral, and that bothers power-hungry teabaggers like Walker who are so weak and paranoid that they have to get rid of it.

[TroyD]

3. From Dan Lopez, ABC News:

Negotiations will continue but teachers feel they are very close to getting a fair contract.

Chicago teachers will be back to work tomorrow.

https://twitter.com/4danlopez

[MissMarple]

5. Good. Now the real problems must be faced.

I don't think the mayor is up for that, though. He has a huge systemic set of problems that require multi-directional approaches. If he has the will he can possibly marshal the forces to begin addressing the issues of systemic poverty in his city. The schools were never intended to cure such a broad array of social issues. Even then it's going to take awhile. That won't happen for the next testing cycle. But does he even want to take the fist steps? Does Chicago? Are they ready to start this journey?

Parents who have jobs and can provide for their families tend to raise children who do better in school. They begin to see the value of a good education. At least that's the theory. Safe neighborhoods and adequate school buildings with actual libraries are another thought. And why do children living in poverty only go to school six hours a day, nine months a year. And where are the preschools? Is Head Start even working? Hungry children living in what is essentially a war zone not only don't learn, they join gangs. And someone is going to have to address the war on drugs that has become a war on America's poor.

Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer, I caught up on my "Up With Chris Hayes" today. Sunday's segments were pretty heavy.

[frazzled]

7. It's less systematic poverty in the city than systematic poverty in the school district

87% of the 400,000 CPS students receive a free or reduced lunch, meaning they come from poor families. Less than 9% of the students are white. These statistics do not represent the city of Chicago as a whole, but they sadly define the district.

One thing to remember: The current mayor (in office for just 16 months) did not create this situation, either with the poverty issues or the schools. Mayor Daley was in charge for 21 years, and he ignored the poorest neighborhoods the entire time. The schools did not start to crumble recently. The unrest has to do with the fact that Daley cut a lot of nice deals with CTU, but left CPS with more than a billion dollar deficit.

It's going to be a very tough row to hoe for everyone.

[MissMarple]

9. I know, I am just frustrated with how bad things are.

I joined AFT when I taught in Kansas City in the 70's. Things were not good then. A judicial take over didn't help. The current mayor and school board didn't cause all this in Chicago, but they are responsible for helping to change it...they are going to need a lot of help. A surge in the economy or the hope of charter school miracles are not real solutions. The union really needs to step up its game. They are educators, they need to start educating the public about how to really teach and, yes, test, children in every neighborhood. The mayor and the school board needs to start bringing the agencies, the departments, the legislators and the neighborhoods together to help identify the problems in a targeted way and start the process. This takes money. No libraries? That is just so wrong.

Our country shouldn't leave people behind in pockets of extreme poverty. Many move up, but too many cannot by themselves or with the inadequate resources we send their way. The poor will always be with us, but how poor is the question. Hunger, ignorance and despair should be no one's inheritance.

I'm hoping that the "inelegant" Romney remarks will motivate the American people to really look at poverty, and why, in so many places it is so dire, seems so hopeless.

Peace

[SoapBox]

6. Good news...

and let's hope that in the end, everyone (well, almost every one!) is happy.

[rocktivity]

8. CUE THE VONAGE THEME!

Vacation's over, kids...


rocktivity

[madrchsod]

10. and they said it could`t be done....

the teachers fought state legislation, media,public opinion,school board,outsiders, and the democratic machine in chicago.how did they do it? i`d say saul ,paul,martin,and others who gave them the path to follow.

they took on the machine and won...let`s hope this is an example for everyone who thinks we can not win!

[senseandsensibility]

11. I agree. The won against incredible odds.

Wow.

[harmonicon]

13. '

[midnight]

12. Oops.... Teachers had to pay for copies of document that they didn't

get to completely read????? They have to vote on this 180 page contract without seeing it.....

[Pterodactyl]

14. Oh, be serious now. You actually expect them to read it?

Congress doesn't read what they vote on. Why should anyone else?