Chicago's Mayoral Race: Endorsements, Early Voting, and Education Controversies.
Paul Vallas, a candidate for Chicago mayor, has a history of promoting charter schools and militarized schools in the districts he has managed around the country. He has opened at least 12 militarized charter schools and is currently listed as the CEO of the Arkansas Military and First Responders Academy, a charter school slated to open in Little Rock in August. Vallas has also expanded standardized testing and zero-tolerance disciplinary policies. Critics argue that his approach undermines unions and relaxes requirements for educators, while supporters say it provides school choice and character-building experiences.