Chicago School Reform at UIC

It was definitely worth attending the CPS Reform meeting at the UIC Forum last Tuesday evening. Much of the panel brought some very interesting and valid viewpoints in Chicago's educational system and how much it needs to be restructured both financially and creativity (I'm sure there are more points that can be stated but those were the top two things that I was concerned about).
A few general comments stood out for me when they each reviewed and discussed the visions of the education reform. For instance, Vision 1, Provide bold leadership that addresses difficult systematic problems and avoids scapegoating the "usual suspects, adresses the financial situations for both faculty and schools. One of the panels discussed that test scores are based by student's income. I was a bit surprised about this and made me question: shouldn't students deserve a fair testing oppertunity like all other students? Is testing that expensive?
During the Vision II, Develop and implement education policy and reform initiatives that are primarily research driven, not market-driven, one of the speakers talked about equal educational rights for all students and neighborhoods, remembering the issue of Neighborhood School reform, and our education in Chicago should establish "living, democracy, & opportunity."
I agreed with Isabel Nunez's discussion about Vision III, Improve teaching and learning effectiveness by developing standards, curricula, and assessments that are skills-based, not sorting-based, saying that there should be a "flexible delivery of a standard education" among all students.
Lastly Vision IV, Ensure the support, dignity, and human civil rights of every student, was importantly stressed by Therese (the arts and creativity as well as equality) and a thorough discussion about class sizes and fair education among all types of students.
I also enjoyed listening to the other speakers, especially Jackon Potter's rousing and motivating speach about more action rather than talk.
Overall it was a great review of what CPS need and all educational schools in general should have. Hopefully change comes soon and Chicago can lead that example for all schools in the nation.