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May 23, 2013

Chicago Approves Largest School Closure in U.S. History 
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The Chicago Board of Education has approved a plan to carry out the
largest mass school closing in U.S. history. On Wednesday, the board
voted to close 50 public schools, most of them in Hispanic and
African-American neighborhoods. Together they account for close to 10
percent of Chicago's elementary schools. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has
pushed for the closures, citing a $1 billion deficit. Chicago teachers
and parents have led a vocal campaign in protest, staging rallies and
filing a lawsuit last week accusing the city of discriminating against
affected students. In a statement, Chicago Teachers Union head Karen
Lewis said: "Closing schools is not an education plan. It is a scorched
earth policy."

 

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