Teachers Union Delivers Lumps Of Coal As Mayor Touts Computer Curriculum
CPS Touts Computer Classes
(CBS) -- There's no break in the battle between Chicago's mayor the city's teachers union.
Mayor Emanuel on Monday announced new plans for high-tech programs, and teachers marched on city hall demanding more.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports on the continuing battle for the hearts and minds of parents.
The disconnect continues, and then there's no better illustration than two events, both carefully planned and orchestrated for maximum impact.
On the one hand, teachers and other activists marched on City Hall with lumps of coal for the mayor and selected aldermen. On the other was the welcome the mayor received from a CPS teacher on the North Side.
The mayor had spent the morning at Von Steuben High School with students writing computer code to build and control robots. Emanuel and his schools CEO say it's important to expand computer science teaching from kindergarten through the 12th grade because of expected job growth.
"We are not as country educating enough computer science and engineers to fill those jobs," Emanuel said.
Both were especially impressed by the percentage of young women in the classroom as well as teacher Amy Wozniak working to bridge the technology gender gap with an all-girls tech club, which competes nationally.
"I'm excited to say we win, often," Wozniak says.
Which is more than the mayor can do with the teachers union.
"If he wants to talk we're more than willing to come and talk with him, but let's talk about what we can do to improve our schools instead of shutting these schools down," CTU member Michael Brunson said.
