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State's Decision To Keep Open Failing Charter Schools 'Shameful': CPS CEO

By Evan F. Moore | March 2, 2016 5:28pm
 Claypool used the library of a Pilsen elementary school to illustrate his point.
Claypool used the library of a Pilsen elementary school to illustrate his point.
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DNAinfo/Evan F. Moore

PILSEN — Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool had strong words Wednesday after a panel appointed by Gov. Bruce Rauner's moved to keep open three charter schools the district had tried to close.

"The decision was shameful. This decision will ensure that these children fall further and further behind," Claypool said. "Once again, Gov. Rauner has relegated poor, minority children to second-class citizens."

Claypool used the library at Pilsen's Manuel Perez Jr. Elementary, at 1241 W. 19th St., as his backdrop to address the state charter commission’s Tuesday decision to take over three poor-performing schools.

RELATED: State Saves 3 Charter Schools After CPS Moved To Close Them

CPS had planned to close Amandla Charter High School in Englewood, Betty Shabazz-Barbara A. Sizemore Academy in Greater Grand Crossing and Bronzeville Lighthouse Charter in Bronzeville, until the state Charter School Commission stepped in to save them.

Claypool said the commission should have no say in when and where CPS chooses to close failing schools.

"An unaccountable commission voted by the governor should not usurp local control," Claypool said. "They should not allow quality standards to measure the academic standards of our children to be thrown aside."

Claypool had earlier said the charter schools were "failing to teach children basic math and reading skills."

According to CPS, state-authorized charter schools receive more money than CPS' neighborhood or charter schools.

Claypool said that Tuesday's ruling set a precedent for state government to interfere with education decisions. 

"What the commission was saying with the ruling from last night is that no charter school can be held accountable," Claypool said. "The decision last night was not in the best interest of our children."

Attempts to contact Rauner's office were unsuccessful, but in a statement released Tuesday night after the meeting, commission chair DeRonda Williams said CPS broke rules in closing the schools.

“After a rigorous and thorough review of the appeals filed by all three schools, the Commission determined that CPS violated state law by changing its charter school standards after the deadlines when schools must be notified,” Williams said. “It is not only the Commission’s mission to ensure a quality education for Illinois students, but also to see that all policies and contracts with charter schools are enforced and honored.”

The decision allows the schools to remain open for another year, state officials said, but "performance issues could still lead to charter revocation in the future."

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