Halt Renaissance 2010

Halt Renaissance 2010

Children at Risk!

Renaissance 2010 proposes to close 60 schools and create 100 new charter, contract, and CPS-operated schools. Renaissance 2010 has the potential to privatize education, disrupt labor protection, and eliminate community governance structures in schools across the city.

Many parents, youth, community residents, Local School Council members and labor union members from the communities most affected by this plan have already voiced their opposition - add yours! We must let the mayor and CPS know that we want school transformation without closings, and without endangering children.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Halt Renaissance 2010

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

We, the undersigned, urge Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan to call a HALT to this plan that would displace thousands of Chicago school children, bypass local school leadership, and lay off dedicated, experienced union teachers and staff.

Let parents, teachers, students, and community members, not bankers and businessmen, decide what's best for our schools.

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
November 04, 2004


Background Information

The Chicago Board of Education passed the Renaissance 2010 plan at their September meeting, despite tremendous community and labor opposition. But there's still a chance to change this plan!

Renaissance 2010 privatizes our children's education and eliminates community and parent control over public education.

This plan will:

  • Close 60 schools in a few years, and won't provide bussing to children from those schools
  • Open 100 new schools: charter, "contract" and CPS-run in equal parts
  • Decrease parent and community control by ending requirements for elected Local School Council's (LSCs) in new schools
  • Decrease benefits and wages for school staff: charter and "contract" schools would be non-union
  • Place the blame of low-performing schools on the children who attend them
  • Primarily affect areas the city wants to gentrify

Renaissance 2010 is designed by business leaders and corporations, not parents, students and teachers. We need you to let CPS and the mayor know that we demand community voice in school reform.