Chicago Teachers Union Closes Schools to Support Democrats

As Chicago hosts a major political convention, the city's public schools are nearly deserted, a decision made by district leaders to accommodate an expected influx of 75,000 visitors. The start of the school year has been delayed by a week, allowing students to engage in the civic process surrounding the event. This week, approximately 320,000 students are out of school while political discussions on education take place, raising questions about the priorities of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). Critics point to the dismal performance of local schools as a stark contrast to the convention's focus on education. At Robert Nathaniel Dett Elementary School, located near the convention site, less than 1% of students are proficient in English Language Arts, and over 60% are chronically absent. These alarming statistics reflect a broader trend, with district-wide reading and math proficiency rates below 30%. Enrollment has plummeted by over 50,000 students since 2018, and many schools are operating at less than half their capacity. The CTU's recent demands, totaling $50 billion, have sparked further debate about the financial implications for taxpayers. These requests include significant salary increases not linked to performance and reduced standards for teacher evaluations, which critics argue could exacerbate existing issues within the education system. The situation in Chicago serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of union control over public education.