STRONG NEIGHBORHOOD HIGH SCHOOLS FOR A STRONGER CHICAGO THE GENERATION ALL ACTION PLAN APRIL 2016 Generation All envisions a city in which: all is a shared responsibility to reach their potential so that our city can thrive. top-quality public high schools that have the active support of the wider community. students graduate and are prepared contributing to the vitality of their Learn more about Generation All at generationallchicago.org or on Facebook and Twitter. The Generation All Team Associate Executive Director TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................... 2 ...................................................... 3 .................................................... 4 Our City . 7 They Serve All Students. 8 Neighborhood Public High Schools: Fast Facts . 10 ............................ 14 An Action Plan That Puts Neighborhood Public High Schools Front and Center . 18 Solution 1: Practice ................................................20 Solution 2: Policy .................................................32 Solution 3: Public Engagement ........................................ 36 An Invitation ......................................................... 42 . 43 . 43 Appendix B: The Generation All Planning Process ........................ 44 Appendix C: Chicago Public Neighborhood High Schools 2015-16 . 46 .............................................................. 47 MESSAGE FROM THE STEERING COMMITTEE Fellow Chicagoans, Generation All is a citywide initiative with a bold yet simple vision: to unite us all in revitalizing our neighborhood public high schools. GUIDING PRINCIPLES Community vitality and school success go hand Equitable, adequate and sustained investment in hand. is essential to the success of our neighborhood 1 2 public high schools. Young people prosper when they feel they are part of a safe and supportive community. that welcome everyone. 3 4 Learning takes place anytime, anywhere. grounded in research and practice. 5 6 GUIDING PRINCIPLES 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 only 28 percent.2 Generation All’s Action Plan for Putting Neighborhood Public High Schools Front and Center 4 While across the city. 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – Pasi Sahlberg, PhD, Visiting Professor of Practice in Education, Harvard University SOLUTION 1: PRACTICE 1a. Strengthen teaching and learning. 1b. Invest in teachers and principals. 1c. Make neighborhood high schools centers of their community. 1d. 1e. Make schools safe and supportive for students and adults. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 SOLUTION 2: POLICY 2a. Put a hold on the closing and opening of public high schools 2b. Make school evaluation less punitive and more focused on problem-solving and growth. 2c. Adopt a more equitable funding formula for Chicago’s public schools. SOLUTION 3: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT 3a. families. 3b. 3c. Design innovative and practical ways for community groups, businesses and residents to support neighborhood high schools. Visit the Generation All website to find out how you can get involved. 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WHAT IS AT STAKE? OUR CITY Our city’s future prosperity depends on the quality of the education our young people receive today. 5 is only 28 percent.6 8 of CPS high school students aspire to earn at least a 4-year college degree, 75% but only 17% are predicted to do so WHAT IS EDUCATION EQUITY? — 9 Equity in education means that every student has a fair chance to get a high-quality public education. It is based on fair and just access to high-quality learning opportunities and resources for all students, enabling them to complete high school prepared for college or careers and lifelong learning. students, regardless of circumstances. It means leveling the playing poverty, race, language or learning challenges—do not prevent them from reaching their potential. Education equity is achieved when all students and schools have access to what they need to succeed. This will vary by school and by student or groups of students. WHAT IS AT STAKE? 7 WHY NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS? THEY SERVE ALL STUDENTS.