I must address the recent article in the November 22 issue of the Reader titled “Reform or Rehash?” by Ben Joravsky. The article focused on the Chicago Public Schools’ recent reform efforts, including its plans to expand preschool programs. The story contained a number of inaccuracies, and I’d like to set the record straight.
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With this expansion of our program, we will be able to serve another 5,100 three- and four-year-olds, bringing the total number of children in preschool programs to 17,100. An additional $10 million was allocated in the 1996-’97 budget to support such programs.
The article indicates that as of mid-October only 60 classrooms were operating. In fact, over 50 new classrooms had already opened in the spring of 1996. Another 133 classrooms are currently in operation. The majority of those classrooms were fully operational in mid-October, contrary to the article’s misstatement. The expansion of the early childhood program is well ahead of schedule.
Lula Ford
I never wrote that “as of mid-October only 60 classrooms were operating.” I wrote that only 60 of the 125 new classes were operating in October because the central office hadn’t delivered the necessary desks, chairs, and other furniture.
