What Was Vallas Thinking? (Chicago IL)

Partnership schools starting over.
The jig was supposed to be up after this second year (one under Lynch, the other under Stewart), but Stewart seems to have won a reprieve for them: Plan sees Fresh Start for 10 schools Chicago Sun-Times, Schools, teachers union to let 10 sites start anew Tribune.

While we're on the subject of special-category schools:
Next Ren10 proposals due 8/18 Friday Fax
The Helen DeBerry Story: Was Success Punished? EdWonks
New Schools for Chicago Website Now Online T&L
Chicago’s thoughtful charter schools EW

Softer standards, fewer summer school kids?
Record few must attend summer school Southtown
Record few students here must attend summer school CST
Retention threat sways students Boston Globe

Softer standards, II
Special ed quote criticized Tribune
Limited-English schoolkids get a break on testing CST
Reading test may get easier to pass Trib

What was Vallas thinking?
It was an amazingly ill-considered and brief waste of whatever remaining political capital he has left. First, Vallas and his brother float that he might in some sort of reverse carpetbagging play come back for another try at the Governor's mansion (His eye on politics, Vallas files for Illinoisresidency PhilInq, Where does Vallas live Southtown). Not that the current Gov. doesn't deserve some opposition. But then it's all over in an instant: Vallas says he won't challenge governor Tribune.

Best of the Rest
State revives writing exam Tribune
Educators, legs join re achievement gap CST
Suspended principal quits job Tribune
9th grade Fs lead to dropouts CSTA report card for CPS WBEZ
Saving Pablo Casals WBEZ
Limos for 8th graders Tribune
State looks closely at tutoring Tribune
Getting to class a crosstown treck Tribune
Chicago-to-Indiana migration puts strain on schools IndyStar