More than a 100 educators, advocates, parents and students gathered on Thursday for the premier of the sixth and final episode of a local schools documentary series — and a lively discussion about how to improve Chicago high schools.
The forum was hosted by Catalyst Chicago and The School Project, whose final fim, “Teaching,” explores the use of intensified algebra — back-to-back periods of algebra — at Roosevelt High School.
Catalyst founder and publisher Linda Lenz moderated the forum.
Speakers included: Camille Farrington, a researcher at the Consortium on Chicago School Research who’s written a book about reforming high schools; Beatriz Ponce de León, executive director of Generation All; Laura LeMone, principal at Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center; Cynthia Nambo, principal at Instituto Justice and Leadership Academy Charter High School; Regeta Slaughter from University of Illinois at Chicago; and Warren Currie, math teacher at Michele Clark High School.
CAN TV Chicago broadcast the event live, and it will be rebroadcast at a later date.
The event is one of three town hall forums organized this year by Catalyst, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Join us for our future events, including our third Story Slam, and please consider making a donation so that Catalyst can continue reporting on education for another 25 years.
Below is a Storified version of the tweets from Thursday’s film showing and discussion. And see more photos of the event here.