With Chicago ending its very acrimonious and very closely watched teacher’s strike on Tuesday, Larry Kudlow asks who won – and what did they get?
The strike has focused attention on a national debate over how to improve failing schools.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, backed by a powerful reform movement, wanted poorly performing schools to be closed and reopened with new staff or converted to "charter" schools that often are non-union and run by private groups.
Teachers wanted more resources put into neighborhood public schools to help them succeed.
The contract includes several compromises, including Emanuel’s demand that teacher evaluations be largely based on results of student standardized tests results, in reading, math and science.
CNBC has learned 30% of the evaluation will be based on standardized test results. They city was looking for a larger percentage but the teacher's held firm.
“No one was disputing if we should have quantitative measures,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers on The Kudlow Report. “The issue was the fixation on testing.”
Also, the proposed deal calls for an average 17.6 percent pay raise for teachers over three years and some benefit improvements. Chicago teachers make an average of about $76,000 annually, according to the school district.
Also CNBC has learned principals will retain hiring power.
Tuesday's vote was not on the contract offer itself, but on whether to continue the strike. The contract will now be submitted to a vote by the full membership of more than 25,000 teachers
However, teachers tell CNBC the vote is just a formality. Effectively the strike is over.
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"The Kudlow Report" airs weeknights at 7 p.m. ET.