[Lancey Howard]

the Chicago Public Schools for the first time will start scrutinizing schools with high numbers of teachers taking sick days.

LOL! Maybe they'll appoint a commission. The Democrats will be up in arms if anything serious is done. In the end NOTHING will be done except, perhaps, a symbolic handful of scapegoats made into public pariahs with the help of the liberal press.

[decal]

They're not missing; they all moved to New Orleans and became cops...

[george76]

"A national model for urban education."

However, it seems that the teachers have a problem getting to class...

[Wiseghy]

This is a common problem. Unlike regular jobs, teachers do not have the flexibility during the school year to take a day off here and there for family vacations. Thus, they are forced to call in "sick".

If we're thinking about reforming education, we may want to consider a more flexible attitude and more respect for teachers as professionals who need flexibility during the year. If would be easy to account for this by adding in a few work days during the "summer" break. Unfortunately, antiquated collective bargaining processes do not make change of ANY kind easy.

[CindyDawg]

I was out sick 5 days last month and it's only Feb. People get sick and need time off for various reasons.

[NonValueAdded]

If their contract calls for one day off for every three weeks, why are they surprised when the teachers take them? Sure, that is an average and there will be some abusers identified. But what did they expect?

[hgro]

The cesspool we call Chicago once again is revealed for what it is, a scam of proportions that boggle the mind.

[kittymyrib]

If it's like Texas, you are stupid not to take your sick/personal days. When I retired, I had 30 days of unused sick leave for which I got absolutely NOTHING. What incentive is there in that?

[Born Conservative]

If you have asked to be added to this list, and haven’t been receiving the pings, please let me know. I’ve had a problem with my file synchronization between my home and work computer, and apparently have lost some names on the list. I think I have the problem fixed, and will gladly re-add your name.

[sageb1]

Our elementary gym teacher used to take sick days for her son's hockey tournaments.

[SoftballMominVA]

I'd be interested to know if they plan to look at the problem on a local basis rather than at the whole school.

3 years ago when my daughter had cancer I was out constantly--I used up my sick leave from that year and from 5 of the previous years I had been in this system. (She's fine now, btw :)) The next year, I used up a great deal for followup appointments. This year, I doubt I use all 10 days granted to me.

But on the surface a teacher missing over 40 days of school in one school year looks bad--real bad, until one looks at the reason and then at the long term history.

[wolfcreek]

That's pretty sad for a bunch of people who don't even have to work weekends and get the Whole summer off.

[Lockbar]

Seven years ago in Chicago a public school teacher was discovered to have a hidden TV set in her desk. It turned out she watched TV during class for years. The students were prohibited to come up to her desk to show her things or talk to her with out her permission in an attempt to keep her TV set a secret. The teachers union went to the mat for her and she kept her job, only receiving a written reprimand. Thats education in Chicago, enough said!!!

[XR7]

Chicago to target absent teachers..

To make sure they have their right adress to mail their paychecks to.

[Mamzelle]

If a teacher is a professional, how can there even be such a thing as a substitute teacher?

[Rakkasan1]

6-8 % doesn't seem terribly high. I'd say the average large corporation probably has a similar rate. the difference of course, is taxpayer money taken by force versus consumer choice with a private company.

we should expect and get more with our confiscated dollars-we don't.