Mike Klonsky reports the latest news from Chicago.
Rahm Emanuel said that Dyett would re-open as an open-enrollment high school. This was his way of thumbing his nose at the hunger strikers, whose proposal called for a school whose theme was green technology and global leadership.
The community leaders want a voice. They will continue their hunger strike.
They are proof positive that real change happens when people act and do and put their bodies on the line.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Rahm and Claypool could make brownie points if they brought the community into the discussion and looked at their proposal. I’m not sure why a high school can’t have both the arts, a strong science program related to emerging green technology, and a social studies program with a strong social justice program that works with their immediate community.
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Copied this from comments on The Chicago Reporter article on Dyett. “The hunger strike continues! We are looking for supporters to join the Hunger strike. The Mayor and his self appointed “community leaders” have spat in the hunger strikers face. Black children want to save the world not continue to perform at the pleasure of others. Call the mayor and demand he support the Dyett Global Leadership and Green Technology High School. 312-744-3300
Peace and Blessings,
Cathy”
This is a reference to the mayor/CPS decision to make Dyett an arts school where the resulting jobs and careers will be primarily in things that entertain others. A green tech/global leadership school would provide way more jobs and careers in a wide array of market sectors from chemistry to construction to energy and beyond that have far more influence in what the world becomes. No evidence yet from CPS on the claim that the community wants arts more than green tech, just a puff piece in the media about how the school was named for a well known music teacher. Bottom line, this is absolutely a slap in the face to the community who made their choice very clear after having been asked for a proposal by CPS. I guess the mayor and CPS can’t stand to lose face due to the community coming up with a far better idea than they ever could or would have, though I do expect this idea to be stolen and used by some charter profiteers. The idea is just that good.
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Cost limits the variety of programs that can be offered. The arts are essential to a well-rounded education, and should be in EVERY school. However, the community strongly favors the green technology and global leadership focus, so that should be the guiding factor in decision making.
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Cost has nothing to do with it. If Lincoln Park wanted a green technology high school it would be a done deal.
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You mean this Lincoln Park?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=389Rk1jzPMk
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