Headline RoundupJanuary 11th, 2022

Chicago Reaches Deal With Teachers to Resume In-person Classes After COVID-19 Standoff

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Following a week-long standoff between Chicago and its teachers' union, the two sides reached a deal to resume in-person learning for public schools.

Students will return to Chicago Public Schools Wednesday after teachers' union leaders approved a new COVID-19 safety plan. Classes had been canceled for four straight days amid concerns about surging COVID-19 cases and a lack of access to tests. Teachers attempted to move to online learning last week, but the city reportedly locked them out of the system. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot had accused teachers of striking illegally and said "they abandoned kids and their families." Chicago Teachers Union president Jesse Sharkey called Lightfoot's opposition to remote learning "relentlessly stupid." The new deal still requires approval from the union’s full 25,000 members. Chicago is the country's third-largest school district.

Voices across the spectrum argued that the stand-off hurt students and families more than anything, and highlighted concerned parents who pushed for teachers to return to the classroom.

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