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Adolescent Literacy

A raft of past programs have failed to substantially improve the reading skills of middle grade and high school students. CPS is trying once again, as part of a federal project that aims to help teens learn how to analyze complex non-fiction.

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Guest Column

"Don't give up": Veterans share their experience with young educators June 07, 2011 By: Mark Larson Liz Kirby, 38, has been principal of Kenwood Academy High School for six years. At a recent event, she asked Deborah Meier, 80, who has been an activist, author and reformer for 45 years, an important question: “How do you remain true to your principles, especially in a time like this?” Meier responded by saying that educators must “be a citizen of the world but also have a little tunnel vision about what you want to accomplish.” Read More \| (1) Comments	To stop violence, start with the youngest children April 06, 2011 By: Jane Mentzinger As the prison sentences are handed down in the beating death of Fenger High School student Derrion Albert, this is also a time to reflect and question: What sparks such violence? At what age are children making critical, life-changing decisions about involvement in violent acts? How can communities— and especially schools—respond to help students? Read More \| (0) Comments
Defining values: A roadmap to helping urban youth February 14, 2011 By: Montana Butsch Sometimes, young people value doing nothing over doing something. Read More \| (1) Comments	To the Schools CEO: A simple prescription for improving schools January 06, 2011 By: Pete Leki Dear Mr. Mazany: This is an open letter to welcome you as the new, if temporary, leader of the Chicago Public Schools. The example that you set by volunteering your services for the token salary of $1 per year speaks to your dedication and the unique perspective you bring to this job. Read More \| (1) Comments
To improve schools, stop guessing and start using research January 04, 2011 By: John Simmons The data are clear: Unless Chicago and the nation can find a better way to accelerate improvement in the quality of education and implement it in the next 10 years, we will lose our competitive edge against other nations and another generation of children will be lost. 80 percent of Illinois high school graduates are not capable of doing the college-level work essential to getting the well-paying jobs that the economy already has to offer, but which are not being filled. Read More \| (0) Comments	New schools chief must focus on education reform and student needs November 16, 2010 By: Andrew Broy The news that Joel Klein is leaving the New York City Schools and that Ron Huberman will leave the Chicago Public Schools left two of the largest school districts in our country grappling with leadership challenges. [Note: Terry Mazany, president of the Chicago Community Trust, will serve as interim CEO for CPS after Huberman’s departure.] Read More \| (2) Comments
Don't wait for 'super-teachers,' restructure schools to use teachers' strengths October 01, 2010 By: Sabrina Laine, Ph.D “Waiting for Superman,” the documentary by Oscar-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, embraces the belief that good teachers make good schools. And recent research, legislation and public commentary have embraced the idea that we need to strengthen and reform our efforts on teacher preparation and professional development programs in order to build a better teacher. Read More \| (0) Comments	School finance reform doesn't have to be costly--just fair September 13, 2010 By: David E. Thigpen Two years ago the Chicago Urban League and a group of plaintiffs went to court to root out what we believe lies at the heart of the continuing failure of Illinois public schools: the state's fundamentally flawed and discriminatory funding system. As children return to school and our lawsuit resumes its progress through the courts, it is a good time to look at where we've been and where we're going. Read More \| (0) Comments
Community schools support immigrant students, strengthen democracy August 16, 2010 By: Carlos Azcoitia Immigration and community-focused schools reflect and strengthen the core values of democracy in America. Both are just and wise investments. Our country was founded on the principles of freedom and economic and educational opportunities. All immigrant groups have contributed to these ideals. Yet, history sadly repeats itself as new immigrants face resistance. The draconian measures advanced in Arizona and legislative initiatives in other states are the antithesis of what our country is all about. Read More \| (1) Comments

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