Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has taken to the TV and radio airwaves in a $1 million ad blitz bankrolled by the non-profit arm of Education Reform Now. Emanuel says in the ads that the new contract inked by the Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Teachers Union leadership, which is pending CTU membership approval, is a win for many of his education reform goals. These include the longer school day, school "choice," i.e. alternatives to traditional neighborhood schools like charters, and the implementation of a new teacher evaluation system.
Education Reform Now is a familiar ally to the mayor. PI reported in June that the group funded ads criticizing CTU for taking a strike authorization vote.