Bad Rahmance
Certain elements in Chicago are losing their minds over the decision of Mayor Rahm Emanuel to send his children to the private University of Chicago Laboratory Schools instead of a city public school. Typical was a headline from Chicagoist: “Spawn of Rahm Not Attending Public School in Fall.”
Asked to comment, Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis laid it on thick:
“We understand why he would choose a school with small class sizes; a broad, rich curriculum that offers world languages, the arts and physical education; a focus on critical thinking, not test-taking; a teacher and an assistant in every elementary classroom; and paid, high-quality professional development for their teacher. It’s wonderful that he has that option available to him.”
I’m not sure what’s making Lewis so gassy. Teachers at the Lab Schools are unionized and represented by AFT Local 2063. The school’s director seems to crib his talking points from CTU anyway.
Lab Schools teacher salaries start at $44,885 for 2011-12, topping out at $99,208. Chicago public school teachers start at $49,159, topping out at $93,227. Apparently the only difference between them is that the Lab Schools take in pricey tuitions ($24,000 annually) and don’t apply the extra money to the teacher salary schedule. No wonder they have small class sizes and assistant teachers.
July 27th, 2011 at 14:06
Oh, but there is indeed another important difference betweeen them. The Lab School gets to choose its students. It doesn’t have to take anyone who presents at the door.
Plus, anyone who gets in but turns out to be a problem can be swiftly ushered out through the exit. No troublemakers wanted here!