catalyst-chicago.org

Since 1991, the Consortium on Chicago School Research has regularly surveyed Chicago public school principals, teachers, and students to learn their views on and experiences in the public schools. The surveys ask about learning climate, student-teacher relationships, leadership and quality of the school's instructional program. They also ask about the school's professional environment and the nature of the school's relationships with parents and the community. Starting with the 2001 survey, questions about education technology have also been included.

This 2005 study by Catalyst found that from the perspective of student-based budgeting, schools with the fewest poor students and schools with selective enrollments have padded budgets. At the other end of the funding scale, large and overcrowded schools, many of which are mostly Latino, are likely to be shortchanged. Catalyst calculated a budget equity index for each school, for various types of schools (e.g. high schools, small schools, magnet schools) and for each of the city's 77 official community areas.

This 2002 study by researchers at Chapin Hall looks at the role of after-school programs in literacy development. It is based on surveys of more than 200 after-school programs in Chicago and Seattle and case studies of 16 programs in Chicago, New York City and Seattle.