Medieval 1020, Skewed Schools, Retaining Retention (Chicago IL)

What a week for articles about Chicago.

First, CPS finally admits that Renaissance 2010 in large part a school closing plan, which in the spirit of spiffy names I hereby name "Medieval 1020 (the evil twin)": Officials want ideas on closing schools; foes not about to help (Chicago Tribune), Which Chicago public schools need 'rebirth'? (Chicago Sun-Times), Chicagoans rally against Daley school plan (People's Weekly World). On a related note: Senn High families, teachers try to sink Navy academy plan (Chicago Sun-Times).

Then, the Sun-Times does an excellent piece on the skewed distribution of quality schools in the city, when all is said and done: Tough to get into school that meets standards. Equally as good is last week's Tribune piece about how districts -- not just schools -- can fail to meet the requirements of NCLB: Schools pass, but law fails districts.

There are also a couple of good articles in the new issue of Education Next about Chicago's student retention program, which despite what you may have heard remains largely in place three years after Vallas left, and is looked upon favorably by teachers and students who have to live with it: Retaining Retention, Teachers and Students Speak.
Best of the rest:
School test results will be late, but accurate Chicago Sun-Times
Education Board shaving $2.7 million from its budget Chicago Tribune
School projects in limbo as state money dries up Tribune
College draws top students from Chicago Public Schools The Chronicle
'Momma Hawk' may need her wings clipped Chicago Sun Times
Parents see remnants of racism at school Chicago Sun-Times
Up to 40 Catholic schools may close Chicago Tribune
Schools beef up emphasis on teaching kids to speak Chinese Chicago Sun Times
School buses get anti-fume devices Chicago Tribune