Chicago Public Schools is suffering from “chronic absenteeism” among teachers who missed 10 or more days in the 2023-2024 school year, according to a new report.
More than 41% of CPS teachers were absent for more than 10 days last year, according to state records. chicago tribune Reported. These absences include 10 days of winter break, five days of spring break and eight holidays, in addition to the school year vacation allotted to teachers, the report said.
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Chicago Teachers Union President Stacey Davis Gates (left) arrives with Mayor Brandon Johnson at the Legler Regional Branch of the Chicago Public Library on February 7, 2024. (Terence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“These 10 days represent a statistical benchmark used by experts to monitor 'chronic absenteeism' among teachers,” the Tribune wrote.
The report comes as contract negotiations continue with the Chicago Teachers Union, which is demanding 9% annual raises for teachers. The median salary for CPS teachers is nearly $95,000, the outlet said.
Teachers unions are seeking an additional $50 billion in funding to cover wage increases and other demands. For example, the money will be used to fully pay for abortions for members, create new immigrant services and facilities, and increase LGBTQ-related requirements and training in schools.
Huge demands are being made despite the fact that members have not achieved overwhelming results for their students. Only 21 percent of the city's eighth graders are proficient readers, according to the Nation's Report Card, which provides national results on student performance.
Miguel Perreta, chief labor relations officer for CPS, said the district cannot afford the raises demanded by the union and will not budge. ABC7 reported.
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In September, students at Chicago high schools were left without teachers for weeks due to chronic teacher absenteeism, the Chicago Block Club revealed at the time.
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 24: Members of the Chicago Teachers Union gather for a rally ahead of the educators walkout in Chicago on September 24, 2019. (Photo by Scott Hines/Getty Images)
“According to CPS data, approximately 46 percent of teachers were absent 10 or more times in 2023, meaning nearly half of Clemente teachers missed at least the equivalent of two weeks of school,” the newspaper reported. .
In June, Stacey Davis Gates, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, told a news radio host that conservatives don't want black children to read books, calling it “part of the oath to be right-wing.” ” he added.
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ABC7 reported that Gates appeared to double down on President-elect Donald Trump's post-victory comments in a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson demanding that black history teaching be included in teachers' contracts.
“We are concerned that teaching Black history may become an issue in the City of Chicago in the era of Trump due to restrictions the federal government may impose on the curriculum,” Gates wrote. .
The Chicago Tribune called for An editorial on Sunday called the salary demands “outlandish.”
“As CTU continues to make exorbitant demands on city and state taxpayers, what are Chicagoans paying for the current $30,000 investment per student, the highest per student in the state of Illinois? It's natural to ask, “Why is that all?” I've heard that CTU has more demands, but what do union members owe the city's taxpayers (and parents)? Haven't we heard anything from the union about whether there are any? ” the board wrote.
CPS did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
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Fox News' Joshua Q. Nelson contributed to this report.
