Education – Page 29 –

Graduation rates have improved at West Aurora High School, according to data from the 2026 Illinois Report Card for West Aurora School District. (Molly Morrow/The Beacon-News)

West Aurora D129 sees lower chronic absenteeism rates, improvement in proficiency on 2026 Illinois Report Card

By Molly Morrow

November 2, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

West Aurora School District 129 saw a dip in chronic absenteeism rates, but its proficiency...

Paul Nord blows releases smoke from bubbles as people look on during the Haunted Science Lab held at Valparaiso University Saturday, October 31, 2026. Nord, a technical specialist at the university, said he was dressed as “hobo Abe Lincoln.” (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

‘Everybody loves it’: Science tricks offer a treat at Valparaiso University

By Doug Ross

November 1, 2026 at 4:05 p.m.

Valparaiso University students and faculty made science experiments fun on Saturday during the annual Haunted...

Anthony Hargrove and Michilla Blaise, candidates for the District 5B school board seat, debate at a candidates forum at Collins Academy STEAM High School in North Lawndale on Sept. 17, 2026. (Arthur Maiorella/baiduhai)

In the last stretch of school board races, a push to get out the vote

By Kate Armanini

November 1, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Chicago voters will elect all 21 seats on the Board of Education on election day.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King exits after a Board of Education meeting at CPS headquarters on July 30, 2026. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

CPS says schools will open on time but offers few details on reversing layoffs

By Kate Armanini

August 7, 2026 at 12:16 p.m.

Chicago Public Schools leaders told families that classes will begin on schedule, but they gave...

Burton Tower on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 2017. (Hunter Dyke/Ann Arbor News)

Bradshaw: Rating the benefits of top public, private universities

By Gerald Bradshaw

August 6, 2026 at 1:10 p.m.

The best university is not necessarily the most prestigious one but the institution offering the...

Oak Park Fire Department partners with U of I Fire Institute for cancer study

By Cam'ron Hardy

August 6, 2026 at 5:03 a.m.

Oak Park joins the Illinois Firefighters Cancer Risk Study at the University of Illinois to...

Alex Blacio's mother, Maria Mizhquiri, and father, Herman Blacio, gather in the 4000 block of North Western Avenue in Chicago on Aug. 5, 2026, to mourn the death of their son, age 16, who was struck and killed while riding an electric scooter there. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Teen’s death in North Center highlights danger of electronic scooters: ‘They don’t make it very safe for them’

By Lila Hempel-Edgers

August 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Alex Blacio is at least the third teenager to die this year in a crash...

A CTA elevated train passes over the McCormick Tribune Campus Center building on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus in Chicago on Aug. 4, 2026. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Illinois Institute of Technology cuts over 100 faculty and staff positions, quietly declares financial crisis

By Kate Perez

August 5, 2026 at 5:39 p.m.

Mass layoffs at Illinois Institute of Technology are in part to “ensure fiscal stability” at...

A Dance Force Elite dancer performs during the 96th annual Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 9, 2025, in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. (Dominic Di Palermo/baiduhai)

Bud Billiken Parade 2026: Route, start time and a look back at 97 years of Chicago’s back-to-school tradition

By Kori Rumore

August 6, 2026 at 9:27 a.m.

Nicknamed “The Bud,” the parade has been a back-to-school celebration and showcase for Chicago’s talented...

Assistant Director of Housing Administration Laura Trosien smiles while leading a tour of Calumet Hall on the PNW campus in Hammond, Indiana on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The new, three-story residence hall will have 50 single suites and 50 double suites. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

‘Adulthood with training wheels’: PNW unveils its newest dorm

By Michelle L. Quinn

August 4, 2026 at 4:15 p.m.

Purdue University Northwest’s new Freshman dormitory will fill many needs with its one purpose: getting...

Union Township School Corporation superintendent Leigh Barnes poses for a photo in the school's administrative offices on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

Referendum questions on ballot for Lake, Porter schools amid new property tax law

By Alexandra Kukulka

August 4, 2026 at 9:30 p.m.

Lake and Porter County school superintendents said referendums on the November ballot are required to...

Flourish Community Hub announced Monday it purchased a building from Bethel Church & Ministries that most recently housed City Life Center. The building is located at 225 W. 5th Ave. in Gary. (Carole Carlson/for the Post-Tribune)

Flourish buys former Boys & Girls Club to expand community services

By Carole Carlson

August 4, 2026 at 11:24 a.m.

Flourish Community Hub announced Monday it purchased a downtown Gary building from Bethel Church &...

"Magic Tree House" series books are among discarded school supplies and books in a dumpster behind Carlos Fuentes Elementary, an Acero School, in the Avondale neighborhood on Aug. 3, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Community members score on discarded school supplies: ‘This was needed’

By Kate Perez

August 4, 2026 at 9:17 a.m.

Educators and community members took to dumpster diving outside Carlos Fuertes Elementary School to retrieve...