Zareen Syed

State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, center, speaks to colleagues after Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivered his annual budget address on Feb. 15, 2023, at the Illinois State Capitol. Canty introduced a bill that would mandate schools to create a full-day kindergarten program by the 2027-28 school year.

Full-day kindergarten could soon be required in all Illinois districts as bill heads to Pritzker’s desk

May 23, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

A bill requiring public school districts in Illinois to establish full-day kindergarten within the next four years passed the state legislature Friday and awaits Gov. J.B. Pritzker's approval. Democratic Rep....

Tony Sanders, state superintendent of education, takes a selfie with the school mascot Raptor and Co-Principal Janice Wells as he visits the Rich Township High School STEM Campus in Olympia Fields on May 19, 2023.

New state superintendent of education aims to bring his accessible approach to ISBE

May 20, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Tony Sanders' office in the Illinois State Board of Education's Chicago headquarters in the West Loop doesn't yet have that lived-in feel as he has occupied it only for a...

Urban Prep seniors participate in a college signing day rally and announce their future college plans at Daley Plaza in Chicago on April 27, 2023. The school recently got its charter status revoked and its appeals were denied by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Urban Prep’s looming closure concerning for students, parents as CPS takes over: ‘The school was a safe haven for these boys’

May 15, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Looking ahead to his senior year of high school, Myles Brown isn't sure what to expect. He's conflicted, hopeful, sad. "I really thought this would be the school I graduate...

Helen Chan, a fourth grade teacher at South Loop Elementary School, holding her son Zachary Chan, 2, celebrates after winning a Golden Apple Award on May 10, 2023, in Chicago.

Golden Apple Award winners full of emotion receiving cheers from students: ‘My heart cannot hold all the love’

May 11, 2023 at 10:12 a.m.

Immediately after being "surprise bombed" with a Golden Apple Award on Wednesday, South Loop Elementary School fourth grade teacher Helen Chan, tried her hardest not to get choked up. "I...

Glenbard West student arrested for making bomb threat

May 4, 2023 at 4:01 p.m.

A 17-year-old Glenbard West High School student was arrested Wednesday evening following a bomb threat made at the Glen Ellyn school earlier in the day. Glen Ellyn police said it...

Rolling Meadows High School Principal Eileen Hart visits the greenhouse at the school on April 24, 2023. She helped start the agriculture program at the high school. Hart, who is retiring after this school year, was named the 2023 Illinois High School Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association.

Retiring Rolling Meadows High School leader named Illinois principal of the year

April 27, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.

Rolling Meadows High School Principal Eileen Hart is capping off her 12-year run with a bang. Not only did Hart welcome first lady Jill Biden and Secretary of Education Miguel...

Ayesha Ibrahim, an account manager at Expedia Group, on April 18, 2023, in Chicago.

As Eid holiday nears, Chicago-area Muslims face a recurring struggle: Scheduling time off without knowing when to celebrate

April 20, 2023 at 10:15 a.m.

Last year at the end of Ramadan, Faiza Siddiqui — like millions of Muslims each year — was waiting intently for the moon sighting announcement determining if the next day...

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