At a time when many high school students focus on summer activities, Teyonna Lofton, a rising senior at Perspectives Leadership Academy, a charter public school in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, stood before hundreds of her peers to speak out against gun violence on Chicago’s South Side. “There is so much pain we carry as young…
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INCS News
CICS Principal Lindsey Robinson Receives National Recognition
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools congratulates Lindsey Robinson, recipient of Accelerate Institute’s 2019 Ryan Award for exceptional school leadership. Robinson earned the national award for her work as principal of Chicago International Charter School (CICS) Avalon campus. “Charter public school principals like Ms. Robinson are helping transform the lives of thousands of children, and we, along with CICS, congratulate her…
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INCS Statement Regarding the Illinois State Charter School Commission
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) is deeply grateful for the extraordinary work and leadership of the Illinois State Charter School Commission, which will conclude its work June 2020. The Illinois State Board of Education will assume the Commission’s work and authorities, which includes overseeing a checks-and-balance system to ensure fair treatment of Illinois’…
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INCS Statement on the Appointment of New CPS Board
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) congratulates the newly appointed members of the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education (CPS BOE): Miguel del Valle, president, Sendhil Revuluri, vice president, Dwayne Truss, Elizabeth Todd-Breland, Lucino Sotelo, Luisiana Melendez and Amy Rome. The CPS BOE consists of a diverse group, including former graduates, a parent, a principal and community advocates, who will…
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INCS Statement on Budget Framework for Chicago’s Charter Public Schools
In their mutual commitment to ensuring that Chicago students are provided access to high quality public education, the charter public school community and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recently concluded discussions in a way that will protect classroom and staff resources and preserve quality programming in charter public schools. Based on this agreement, restoration of fourth-quarter…
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INCS Statement on the Inauguration of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) extends its congratulations to Lori Lightfoot, who was inaugurated today as Chicago’s new mayor. INCS is eager to partner with Mayor Lightfoot in deepening support for the city’s public schools, bridging the economic gap among neighborhoods, and supporting other initiatives to lift up families across our great city….
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Parents tell lawmakers “charters change lives” at 2019 INCS Lobby Day
Families and advocates of charter public school students gathered at the Illinois State Capitol May 8 to celebrate the successes of charter schools and to call for equitable treatment from lawmakers as part of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools’ (INCS) Lobby Day. Representing the 64,700 families who have chosen charter public education in Illinois,…
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Charter Public School Parents Meet with Illinois Lawmakers to Call for Fair Treatment
CHICAGO (INCS)—Hundreds of parents of charter school students will gather at the state capitol May 8 to celebrate the successes of charter public schools and to demand equitable treatment from elected officials. More than 64,700 families in Illinois have selected charter public schools to educate their children, and these parents voices will be heard as…
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INCS Response to Strike Authorization Votes
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) is disappointed that the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has issued strike authorization votes at Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy High School, Instituto Justice and Leadership Academy Charter School, Youth Connection Charter School – Latino Youth High School, and Youth Connection Leadership Academy. A strike places significant burdens on…
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Going the Distance
Lena Kendall traveled 20 miles a day in Chicago traffic to take her son to school. Through rain, sleet and snow, she never regretted the commute from 91st and Ashland to Belmont and Kolmar. Kendall’s situation is not unique. About 45 percent of students in Chicago travel outside their neighborhood school boundary. Kendall’s purpose for…
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Illinois Charter Commission Approves Appeal, Overturns Closure
CHICAGO (INCS)—Earlier this week, the Illinois State Charter School Commission upheld the decision to close a low-performing charter public school and voted to approve a campus expansion of an existing high-quality charter public school. The Commission also denied an appeal by another charter school seeking an additional campus and overturned a decision to close an…
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INCS Mourns the Passing of Harrison I. Steans
Illinois lost a true champion. The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) mourns the passing of Harrison I. Steans, an entrepreneur and founder of North Lawndale College Prep, a two-campus charter public high school.
Read MoreINCS Statement on Governor Pritzker’s Budget Address
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools applauds Governor Pritzker’s plan to fully fund the education formula in Illinois by allocating $375 million in additional funds, a $25 million increase over the statutorily targeted increase to the formula. For too many years, Illinois has lagged other states when it comes to state support for public education….
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INCS Statement on CTU’s Call for Strike at CICS
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools is disappointed that the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has chosen to strike at four Chicago International Charter School (CICS) campuses, which affects the education of 2,200 students. The safety of students and staff along with maintaining a stable, high-quality learning environment remains a CICS top priority. INCS therefore calls…
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INCS Honors Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today, we at the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) reflect on the work of one of our nation’s greatest moral champions. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. fought tirelessly for equality in the face of substantial resistance, eventually making the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of a simple ideal – that America live up…
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INCS Statement on the Inauguration of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) extends its congratulations to J.B. Pritzker, who has been inaugurated today as Illinois’ 43rd governor. INCS looks forward to working with Governor Pritzker in fostering education policy that advances student achievement and benefits all Illinois residents. The governor has been a national leader in early childhood education, and…
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Elevating Chicago: Bridging the City’s College Divide
Chicago’s public school system has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past twenty years.The transformation has gone largely unnoticed, but it has had a profound impact on the city’s overall educational performance. Unlike twenty years ago, Chicago students are now just as likely to attend a school choice option as they are to attend their…
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Chicago: A Choice District
Chicago’s public school system has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past twenty years. The transformation has gone largely unnoticed, but it has had a profound impact on the city’s overall educational performance. Unlike twenty years ago, Chicago students are now just as likely to attend a school choice option as they are to attend…
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Paving a New Path
Paving a New Path provides practical advice for the key phases of planning a charter school, from exploring the idea of charter school development to submitting a high-quality charter school proposal and preparing to open your school. Drawing upon the collective wisdom and technical information from the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and other experts…
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Illinois Statewide Survey: Public Education and Charter Public Schools
Education remains one of the highest priorities among voters, and there are strong opinions on the current state of Illinois’ public schools, according to the poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies. Polling more than 600 registered voters, including both parents and non-parents across a wide spectrum of demographics, political parties, and counties in Illinois, the…
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