Is Great Teaching Enough: The impact of school-community connections on the achievement gap

The final segment of the10th anniversary Chicago Schools Policy Luncheon Series began with an up-close view of the Harlem Children’s Zone and its comprehensive effort to educate the children of that disadvantaged community, beginning at birth. Then two of Chicago’s leading community organizers shared their experiences and theory of community building. Below, you can download a Power Point on one local effort, the Elev8 program of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation / Chicago (LISC).

Luncheon 3: What it takes to create a village

Paul Tough, author of “Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America” and an editor on the New York Times Sunday magazine.Chris Brown, director of education programs at Local Initiatives Support Corporation / Chicago (LISC). Nancy Aardema, executive director of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association.

1. First, download the PowerPoint presentation.
2. Now you are ready to listen. Click here. (please be patient while the file loads)

Luncheon 2: Social support for students and keeping the peace

Kareem Manuel, Leadership and Activism Coordinator, Mikva Challenge; Antwan Ward , senior, Orr High School; Edward Ward , sophomore, Orr High School; Dr. Michael Woolley , assistant professor, School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago.

1. First, download these PowerPoint presentations by Kareem Manuel and Michael Woolley so you can follow along.
2. Now you are ready to listen. Click here. (please be patient while the file loads)
3. Read  Catalyst’s blog posting on Orr High and responses from readers.

Luncheon 1: The Evidence

Charles Payne, author of “So Much Reform, So Little Change,” and Penny Bender Sebring, founding co-director of the Consortium on Chicago School Research.

1. First, download this brief background paper containing definitions.
2. Then download this PowerPoint presentation so you can follow along.
3. Now you are ready to listen. Click here (please be patient while the file loads)
4. Read questions from the audience and responses from the participants.
5. For more information, read the September/October issue of Catalyst In Depth.

The Policy Luncheon Series is organized by Business and Professional People for the Public Interest (BPI) and Catalyst Chicago. The 2008 program partner is the Consortium on Chicago School Research.

Support for the 2008 series was generously provided by:

• Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

• McDougal Family Foundation

• Oppenheimer Family Foundation

• Prince Charitable Trusts

• Relations Foundation

• ShoreBank Corporation

• Union League Club of Chicago

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The Rev. Jose Landaverde at the Jan. 21 rally in Chicago. Photo by Lucio Villa.

A flag waving during the rally for a moratorium for deportations says: “Legalization for all immigrants.” Photo by Lucio Villa.