CPS asking teachers to take 7 percent pay cut, union says : Vivie Behrens (Period 6, Week 4)

     Because of a supposed 1.5 billion dollar deficit in Chicago, the district of Chicago is arguing to propose a seven percent pay cut, which would likely decrease staff significantly. District official, Jesse Ruiz, expressed his grief for the situation and the article notes the likely increase in class sizes and decrease in staff due to the new policy. It is suspected that this cut will not only affect teachers, but it will also decrease special education programs as well as restorative justice programs throughout the school system.

     This act would likely infuriate teachers, parents, and students who are involved in the education system: teachers because it would decrease their pay, parents because their kids will get less individual attention due to lack of staff, and students because their classroom will be disrupted by large class sizes. These three groups consume a vast portion of the country’s population; therefore, their opinions on these educational reforms make a significant impact on society. People, like government officials and the government itself, would probably oppose these groups because it increases government spending which increases taxes, etc. that affect the entire American population. This relates to APUSH because it shows how federal programs, such as public education, can often neglect those people who use these programs specifically because government officials are too focused on the big picture.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-teachers-pay-cut-met-20150505-story.html