Over the weekend, Chicago public schools failed to meet the Chicago Teachers Union demands of better pay and job security. Teachers work just as hard as anyone else and deserve respect and fair treatment. However, demanding job security – a wish every other working American desires – is delusional. When these demands were not met, public school teachers went on strike yesterday and have prevented about 350,000 students from entering school.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel must adopt swift change and reform to resolve this issue and the greater underlying problem: Chicago public schools are failing.
A startling report from the U.S. Department of Education revealed that only 21% of Chicago eight graders can read at their level. Math skills are just as depressing with only one in five students performing up to par. Radical policies should be immediately implemented to get teachers back in the classrooms and help students meet basic standards on aptitude tests.
Michael Sharnoff, PhD 