Chicago Teacher's Strike By The Numbers

• Chicago teachers have the highest average salary of any city at $76,000 a year before benefits.

• The average family in the city only earns $47,000 a year.

• Teachers pay only 3 percent of their health-care costs.

• Out of every new dollar set aside for public education in Illinois in the last five years, a full 71 cents has gone to teacher retirement costs.

• Just 15 percent of fourth graders are proficient in reading.

• In 1987, 43% of incoming Chicago freshmen would drop out of high school without graduating.

• 2012: Chicago's freshmen drop-out rate is 39.4%, the lowest it has ever been.

• Only about 60% of Chicago high school students graduate compared with national average of 75%.

Source: Chicago Sun Times: 1987 teachers strike is an ugly lesson for Mayor Emanuel; 9/9/12

Source: Reuters: Chicago teachers, school officials resuming talks to avert strike; 9/9/12

Source: Chicago Public Schools System CPS.edu