Still Left Behind

On the final day of June 2009 the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago published a report entitled “Still Left Behind” which revealed a stark and disturbing reality regarding Chicago Public Schools.

The report’s key findings include:
- Nearly half of the students at non-selective-enrollment schools drop out before graduation. Additionally, more than 70% of remaining students at those schools fail to meet 11th grade state standards for college preparedness. High performing students are all concentrated in magnet and selective enrollment schools.
- The perception of improvement in the number of students meeting state standards on assessment tests reflects changes in testing made by the Illinois State Board of Education rather than improved student learning.
- To truly push improvement in CPS a more rigorous national test for student achievement must used as the benchmark. An independent auditor must also be responsible for ensuring all reports regarding student achievement are accurate and distributed in a timely, comprehendible fashion
- Improvement in education depends on providing quality alternatives, including expanding the number of charter and contract schools in Chicago. These schools outperform traditional public schools and spur all CPS schools toward improvement.

The report’s full text can be viewed at: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/downloads/CPS.pdf

National Alliance Charter School Conference

Check out these videos, which recap some of the speeches from last week's national charter school conference, courtesy of The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. I suggest you check out Dr. Howard Fuller's speech in particular:

INCS is on Facebook

We have finally joined 2009 and created a Facebook page for our organization. Click on the above link to become a fan of INCS.

Perks: learn the inside scoop on charter schools in Illinois, be up to date on events and connect with other charter school advocates. Plus, see adorable pictures of charter school students.

Charter Up slideshow

Check out the great photos from this year's Charter Up! Awards Ceremony, courtesy of Anna Bonick, of Hullabaloo Design.

Save the Date for INCS’ Charter Family Picnic

INCS is pleased to announce our fourth annual Charter Family Picnic on September 12, 2009 at Garfield Park.This is an exciting opportunity to connect with more than 1,200 charter public school advocates, parents, students, and teachers from all over Chicago who are coming to enjoy a day of food, games, music, and other fun activities at Garfield Park!

There are three ways that your organization can help us this year! You can select the level of participation that best meets your needs, and be secure in the knowledge that your commitment will be used to help INCS continue our important work!

Buy an ad in our Program Book

Donate an item or service for the Raffle

Help spread the word

For more information on sponsoring the Charter Family Picnic, please feel free to contact Aimee Mandolini at amandolini@incschools.org.

A note from INCS' Interim Executive Director

There have been big changes at INCS, what with the recent tide of positive charter school legislation and Elizabeth Evans’ departure after almost five years as Executive Director. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from being a part of the charter school movement, it’s that change means opportunity. As Interim Executive Director, I want to assure you that INCS will continue to support and fight for what matters – creating positive change for as many children in Illinois as possible. As Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education said recently on NPR, “I’m a big fan of good charter schools. For charters to be successful we need three things in place. First, you need to have a very high bar. You should only be taking the best of the best in allowing them to open new schools. That is a really sacred opportunity and obligation to educate our children and this cannot be 'let a thousand flowers bloom,' it should be the best of the best.”

Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. Now we have our chance to live up to the promise, as soon as Governor Quinn signs SB 612. Your support during this transition is appreciated and we look forward to the great strides ahead of us this summer and beyond.

Sincerely,
Sylvia Ewing, Interim Executive Director

Namaste Charter School on Chicago Tonight!

Recent Charter Up! Honoree Namaste Charter School was highlighted as an example of a highly successful school on WTTW's Chicago Tonight! Check out the video clip on WTTW's website.