Chicago - A message from the station manager

The [Wednesday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

“CPS has spent the last week touting what officials say is a big decrease in suspensions, culminating with a school visit and press conference by Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday, where the mayor declared that curbing suspensions was just the ‘right thing to do,'” Sarah Karp reports for Catalyst.
“But a confidential document obtained by Catalyst Chicago shows that suspension data from last year is more troubling than something to boast about. Last year, young elementary-age students were suspended far more than in previous years.
“Plus, the racial disparity in suspensions of black students compared to whites and Latinos – long a problem in CPS and something that current CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett says she cares personally about – has widened over the past few years.”
Go read the whole thing – and then marvel yet again at how the truth is always exactly the opposite of what City Hall and CPS says it is.


Test Prep
The importance of reporters – and elected officials, ahem – having kids in the system.

Just got an “emergency” ISAT email from my kids’ school that said opting out isn’t an option. Uh, yes it is. CPS looking pretty desperate about shopping this test. Just saying.

–
See also: Franklin Fine Arts Principal Gets It Wrong.
Rahm Gets A Rush
This spectacular deed is getting lots of play.
chi-20140211-001.jpg(See an enlarged version here)
Never one to let a medical crisis go to waste, Rahm Emanuel announced the following this morning:
* Writing rooftop messages in the snow will now require a Rooftop Snow Message License, available through the city clerk’s office for $500. Each license is good for one winter and must be renewed annually.
* The city will contract with private enterprise for Rooftop Snow Message Inspectors, who will make sure all Rooftop Snow Messages meet health, safety and environmental standards. Also, fines will be issued for bad spelling and grammar.
* Workers and residents in buildings within a block of each Rooftop Snow Messages will be required to make a deal with Tom Ricketts before viewing each Rooftop Snow Message. Without a contract in place, workers and residents will be required to avert their eyes. This will be policed by a private security force of Rooftop Snow Message Viewing Officers contracted by the city.
* The city will propose privatizing Rooftop Snow Message services for public buildings through its Infrastructure Trust, so it can finally get a deal under its belt.
Jer Bears
“Former Bears GM Angelo Says Cutler Has ‘A Lack Of Poise.'”
Cutler Says Angelo Has “A Lack Of Class.”
At least in our imagination.
Medicaid Madness
“Gov. Pat Quinn has released a five-year plan to restructure Illinois’ Medicaid program,” AP reports.
I’ve got a better idea: A five-day plan for getting Illinois their Medicaid coverage promised to them when they signed up for Obamacare. Coverage that was supposed to start on January 1st is still in limbo because the state still hasn’t processed everyone’s applications – leaving hundreds of thousands of people screwed.
How The Tribune Saw The Beatles
Like squares, unsurprisingly.
Porn-Shaming
Viral media teaching wrong lesson about a Chicago student whose browser history was exposed on WGN-TV.
You Know Who Else Collected Metadata?
The Stasi.
Should We Play United Airlines $49,500* For In-Flight Promotion?
*Introductory Rate.
Sorry Barney, Beckham
In the new installment of Dan O’Shea’s Fantasy Fix draft guide.
–
BeachBook
* Free And Open Internet Threatened.
* Attacks On The Press In 2013.
* I Took Off My Hijab.
–
TweetWood


*


*


–
The Beachwood Tip Line: Open and shut.

Permalink

Posted on February 12, 2014