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Board faces sharp public backlash over May 1 civic-engagement agreement
Summary
Union leaders hailed the district's civic-engagement plan as instructional; parents and other speakers warned it risks politicizing classrooms and asked the board to pause the May 1 memorandum of understanding and publish more details. Board and CEO said the day will be full instruction with vetted civic activities and opted to collect attendance and curriculum data.
The Chicago Board of Education heard sharply divided testimony on April 23 over a memorandum of understanding that allows schools to incorporate May 1 civic-engagement activities into the school day.
Vicky Kurzidlow, recording secretary for the Chicago Teachers Union, told the board the district's recent directives requiring prior administrative approval for supplemental civic-engagement materials threatened teachers'professional judgment. "A blanket requirement for prior approval moves in the opposite direction," she said, urging the board to honor the CTU's memorandum of understanding and protect…
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