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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INCS News
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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Achieving the Dream: Chicago Charter High Schools Improve Academic and Life Outcomes for Students
Since the first charter high school opened its doors in 1997, Chicago’s charter public high schools have been transforming the public education system to improve academic achievement and outcomes, especially for African-American and Latino students who have historically faced barriers to academic success. This issue brief examines how charter public high schools have moved the…
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INCS Grateful Classes Resume, Displeased with Shortened Instructional Time
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) is pleased that Acero students will return to the classroom and learning will resume. As the largest advocate for charter public schools, INCS continues to honor the deep contributions charter teachers make daily. Fostering academic growth and well-being of children will always be our highest priority and the…
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INCS Disappointed with Failed Contract Negotiations, Teacher Strike
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) is disappointed with the breakdown of contract negotiations, prompting charter public school teachers who are unionized to strike. INCS has always honored the contribution of charter teachers, who work daily to create safe and productive learning environments for all students. INCS is therefore discouraged with the Chicago Teachers…
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INCS Stands Firm on Quality, High-Performing Charter Public Schools
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) has always been about establishing and supporting high-performing, quality charter public schools. INCS’ stance on quality applies to all public schools—any school that serves Chicago students should he held accountable for improving student performance. Parents are aware of the performance of their locally-zoned schools, and when zoned to…
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INCS Pleased with Illinois Senate Vote to Retain HB 5175
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) is pleased that the Illinois State Charter School Commission will retain its authority to hear appeals from those denied by school districts to start a charter public school. Votes in the Illinois Senate Wednesday evening came up short in an attempt to override the governor’s veto of HB…
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INCS Continues to Set the Record Straight on Funding
INCS is disappointed to learn that the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and ChiACTS are calling for a strike authorization vote. The charter movement was founded on the principle that students need additional educational opportunities and a strike would do nothing to further such opportunity. Particularly troubling is the fact that CTU/ChiACTS are attempting to justify…
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Perspectives Interns Exhibit ADL Principles During INCS Internship
Kyla and Kayla, juniors at Perspectives Charter School, recently participated in a six-week internship at the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) to gain more experience in a work environment. This is one of many internships that Perspectives offers to juniors who attend the school. We asked Kyla and Kayla a few questions about Perspectives and their internship experiences,…
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Divvy Bikes and Education Funding
By Rich Haglund, Chief Operating Officer at INCS Now that spring appears to be fully present in Chicago, I face more competition for Divvy bikes (Chicago’s bike-sharing program). Sometimes I have to walk to a second or third dock near the train station to get a bike to ride to my office. I admit I’m…
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