catalyst-chicago.org

What works: Listening and giving support

The daunting transition from middle school to high school was even more challenging for Bowen High sophomore Olivia Rodriguez, who entered freshman year unable to write in English. "I've been having problems now that everything is in English," she says.

Her counselor helped by recommending that she take English as a second language courses for another year until her writing improved. He also suggested courses led by teachers who are patient with her struggle to grasp written English. Olivia hopes her counselor will also help her...

This spring, the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) will graduate its inaugural class of fully certified teachers—31 career changers who pledged to teach five years for CPS in exchange for a free master's degree and a paid residency under award-winning mentors.

By paying student teachers and cutting by half the time it takes to earn an advanced degree in education, AUSL has removed the roadblocks of time and money that keep many from switching to a teaching career. The program is the latest brainchild of venture capitalist Martin "Mike" Koldyke, founder of the Golden Apple...

Counselors at Lake View High get good reviews from the school's toughest critics—the students.

Junior Stephanie Butler recalls counselors stepping in on her behalf when she was in trouble. "They talked to teachers for me," she says. "If they see you slacking off, they'll come to you. You don't always have to go to them first."

At Lake View, counselors make customer service a priority. Though beset by many duties, meeting students' needs comes first.

Recent figures indicate they're making headway. Counselors estimate that in the last few years, about 70 percent of Lake...

A study of counseling practices at four Chicago public high schools with predominantly Latino enrollment indicates many Latino students are not getting basic services that could help them stay in school.

A survey of students at those schools last winter and spring found that 40 percent had not yet met with a counselor that year. Latinos had the least contact compared to Asian and white students. Overall, 31 percent of Latino students surveyed said they had never met with their counselor, compared to 16 percent of Asian students and 17 percent of white students.

Over 4,200...

At Gage Park High School, counselor Kenneth Banks complains of spending more time doing paperwork than talking to students about colleges and careers. This year, he is responsible for tending to the academic and career counseling needs of close to 300 seniors. Three other counselors and a trainee cover juniors, sophomores and freshmen.

Ideally, Gage Park counselors would be proactive and help students address problems—like class cutting or academic failure—that jeopardize their chances of graduating, Banks explains. But the department is short two counselors, and one of the...