Claude Robinson, Jr., Uhlich Children's Advantage Network by Brandon Beech August 21, 2008
Kids say more violence-prevention programs are needed in schools, but give adults low grades for stemming the violence epidemic.
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Q & A with Robert Barnett, Jobs for Youth by Rebecca Harris July, 2008
The nonprofit Jobs for Youth provides intensive help to young people looking for work. Last year, 658 young people were placed in jobs, half of which paid more than $10 per hour.
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Q&A with Bill Milliken by Sarah Karp & Cindy Richards May, 2008
Communities In Schools bills itself as the country’s largest dropout prevention organization and envisions schools as the center of a community. Bill Milliken founded the organization more than 30 years ago. On a recent visit to Chicago, he sat down with Catalyst Associate Editor Sarah Karp and Consulting Editor Cindy Richards to talk about his legacy.
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Q&A with Alan Anderson by John Myers April, 2008
Next school year, CPS is taking a gamble that its “turnaround” strategy will transform six underperforming schools with new principals, teachers and curricula. Signaling that the strategy is here to stay, the district created the new turnarounds office, led by Anderson, a one-time engineer who joined CPS as a Broad Foundation fellow. Data and Research Editor John Myers sat down with Anderson to talk about the challenges ahead.
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Q&A with Michael Feinberg by Lorraine Forte March, 2008
The mantra “no shortcuts” reflects the longer school day, Saturday school and daily homework that are staples of KIPP. Co-founder Michael Feinberg is adamant about the need for more teaching time to improve learning, especially for low-income kids who start school behind their middle-class peers. KIPP now operates a national network of 57 schools, including KIPP Ascend on the West Side. Feinberg, a Teach for America alumnus who was in Chicago recently, talked with Deputy Editor Lorraine Forte about motivation, expectations and lessons learned when another campus here, KIPP Chicago Youth Village, closed in 2006.
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