District 299 The Chicago Schools Blog

The Genius Behind Teach For America - Politics on The Huffington Post

I'm not exactly sure why I am writing for The Huffington Post, which is generally much more traditionally liberal than I am.  But here's my latest piece over there, about what's right -- and wrong -- about Wendy Kopp's Teach For America: The Genius Behind TFA.

Evil Geniuses At UofChicago Set To Take Over The World

There's a big article in this week's EdWeek about everyone on this blog's favorite topic, the University of Chicago and its school reform efforts.  I know, I know.  They're evil academic geniuses out to ruin a shining example of urban education and gut teacher job protections.  I get it.  Still, there are some tidbits you might want to check out.  In addition to Chicago, Stanford University, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of New Orleans are also running schools.  And many other universities in other places are authorizing but not running charters. Hands-On Learning.

Myths About "High-Impact" Nonprofits

Following up on last week's discussion of whether TFA was helping or not, a friend sent me this report on the characteristics of high-impact nonprofits that came out earlier this fall (Creating High-Impact Nonprofits). 

It looks at everything from Habitat for Humanity to NCLR to Share Our Strength (SOS) to TFA. 

Check it out.  Pass it on.  Found anything good to read lately?

More Philanthropy For Chicago Schools

Sometime this week, two big foundations are going to announce "a major investment that will help support a promising new network of high-quality high schools to underserved students in Chicago and several other urban communities around the country." Who do you think that could be, and what will they be funding?

UPDATE:  Yes, Gates - and the Ford Learning Institute.  Here's the press release announcing the event tomorrow below.

Principal Pipeline For TFA Alums In Area 14 (Englewood)

Education Week's Lynn Olson has a new story out this week about how TFA is partnering with Chicago and a couple of other districts to train TFA alums to be principals (TFA Teams With Districts to Groom Aspiring Principals). The story focuses in Carolyn Eggert, a Hirsch High School math teacher, and says TFA plans to have 800 alumni leading schools (or districts) within 3 years -- up from roughly 270 at present.  There are only two participants this fall in Chicago, however, with plans to expand to 10 next year. 

More Cash For Ren-10 Schools

Check out the attached email from the Renaissance School Fund announcing nearly $4 million in additional funds to support the operation of 23 Renaissance 2010 schools. 

The fund is giving $3.9 million to support operations at 23 new schools -- up to $500,000 over three years for each school -- and has "raised $41 million since 2005 to help open 38 new public schools, among the 56 schools created though Chicago’s Renaissance 2010 initiative." 

Chicago Int'l Charter School Joins The School Turnaround Effort

Apparently Chicago International Charter School is heading a new effort, dubbed ChicagoRISE, focused on turning around low-performing schools. 

They're looking for someone to head the effort, which from the looks of it will focus on district, not charter schools. 

Check it out (jobdescription) and contact Lauren Martin for more information or to apply.  Via Eduwonk.

Cutting Class

Four takes on the Consortium's freshmen attendance report:

Freshmen schooled on attendance Tribune
A 90 percent on a test can mean a pat on the back and an A. But attending school only 90 percent of the time in the first semester of high school means you may not graduate, according to a new study on graduation rates in the Chicago Public Schools system.

Freshmen Grades Critical to Graduation Prospects WBEZ
That finding in a new study is behind a push by Chicago Public Schools to reach out to the families of incoming ninth graders.

Average CPS freshman: 19 absences, 2.6 F's Chicago Sun Times
The average Chicago public school freshman misses nearly a month of school and racks up more than two semester grades of F in their critical first year of high school

Slipping Through Grand Canyon-Sized Cracks Chicagoist
Is it just us, or are those some exceptionally depressing numbers?

The U Of C's Education Efforts -- Better, Worse, or About The Same?

Check out this week's EdWeek commentary from UofC education honcho Tim Knowles and others about the UofC's education initiative, which has grown like kudzu over the past couple of years.  Whether you like what they do or not -- or don't really know -- you'll be interested to hear what they're up to and how they see it all fitting together(John Dewey for Today). And, if anyone has any direct experience with these schools, support services, or teaching candidates, let us know.  What I wonder is what the UofC is up to these days any better, or worse, than it was during previous years under Tony Bryk?

Gates Announces New Education Honcho

Late on Wednesday, the Gates Foundation announced who would replace the long-departed Tom Vander Ark as chief of the education operation: Vicki Phillips, currently supe of the Portland public schools:  Phillips hired by Gates Foundation.