(Photo by MD Duran on Unsplash)

Flowers are sprouting and migrating birds are overhead, but even as nature is doing its thing, the coronavirus pandemic has put a dent in a traditional spring rite of passage: graduation.

Illinois state legislators, including Rep. Jonathan Carroll, heard from parents, advocates and education leaders Tuesday during a public hearing about the use of isolation and seclusion rooms across the state. (WTTW News)
,

Advocates and educators spoke in Chicago on Tuesday, hoping to give state leaders a better sense of what must be done to address student isolation and seclusion in Illinois schools.

(NeiFo / Pixabay)

State education officials are in the process of rewriting rules for timeouts and physical restraints for students across the state. But some parents and educators say those new rules are bringing new challenges to light.

(Don Harder / Flickr)

An emergency action from the state board of education comes a day after a Tribune-ProPublica investigation revealed thousands of cases in which schools put students into seclusion. We speak with two of the reporters behind that story.

(sweetlouise / Pixabay)

It’s the beginning of another school year, but an age-old debate rages on. We talk about having “the talk” in Illinois schools.

State law enforcement and education officials want to spread the word about Illinois’ “move over” law after 16 state troopers were struck on roads in the first four months of 2019.

(Pexels)

Illinois is moving away from the PARCC assessment, but students might not notice much of a difference when the Illinois Board of Education rolls out its new federally mandated exam this spring.

State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Jan. 11, 2018.

Tony Smith announced Tuesday that his contract will not be renewed after it ends on Jan. 31, bringing to a close his nearly four-year term as Illinois’ schools chief.

Under a new component of the annual Illinois Report Card, 20 percent of schools are eligible for additional federal funding to make improvements.

(FeeLoona / Pixabay)

Only 24 percent of Illinois kindergartners are ready for school, according to a new state survey. But that number drops even lower for minority, low-income and diverse learner students.

Laura Boedeker (Courtesy of Illinois State Board of Education)

Parents of Chicago’s special education students say they have concerns about the state's choice of an independent monitor to oversee the district's special education program.

A state law passed in 2011 requires public schools to educate students about sexual abuse prevention. But the woman behind Erin’s Law says dozens of CPS teachers have told her these lessons aren’t being taught.

What the state says is needed to correct violations in Chicago Public Schools’ special education program.

State education officials have recommended additional oversight of special education policies at Chicago Public Schools after finding the district violated federal law.

Janice Jackson appears on “Chicago Tonight” on April 19, 2018.

CPS CEO Janice Jackson talks with us about school funding and investigations into special education and school cleanliness. 

State education officials interested in examining Chicago Public Schools’ special education offerings will hold open hearings this month after families, stakeholders and a media report stoked concerns last year of possible “systemic issues.”