Boycott Of Inner City Chicago Students Over Unequal Education Funding Called Off

Chicago, IL (AHN) - A boycott by 1,000 Chicago public school students who skipped classes to protest unequal education funding was called off two days early and students were urged to report back to class Thursday.

In an attempt to draw attention to what the group called "disparities" in school funding, nearly 1,000 students had boarded buses provided by Chicago churches on Tuesday and traveled to two suburban schools where they attempted to register at New Trier High School and Sunset Ridge Elementary School to attend school there.

The group says that Chicago schools lack the same level of funding for students that wealthier school districts have in the city's suburbs.

With 70 percent of school funding tied to property taxes, districts with higher house values have more money. For instance, Chicago Public Schools, spent $11,300 per student last year, while New Trier High School in the wealthy Winnetka School District spent $17,500 per student.

State Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago) had called what was supposed to be a four-day boycott, but called it off late Wednesday after only two day, saying that Gov. Rod Blagojevich had refused to meet to discuss Illinois school funding as long as students were still actively protesting.

Meek is asking state officials to support a $120 million program to support troubled schools.

Many of the students also worked on homework while they were boycotting classes.