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In 1987, U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett described Chicago's schools as "the worst in the nation." Fed up with a failing system, Chicagoans demanded change. The 1988 Chicago School Reform Law ushered in an exciting new era by establishing elected Local School Councils at each school, providing an unprecedented opportunity for parents, teachers, principals, universities, community organizations, business leaders, and foundations to work together for reform.
More help came in 1995 when the state legislature gave Chicago's mayor the authority to appoint a school board and CEO, bringing stability and accountability to the system. The combination of local school governance and a strong central administration achieved positive results. Student test scores began a slow but steady climb. Innovative school partnerships with outside agencies improved teaching practice in schools across the city. New school buildings and additions were built. "Small schools" and charter schools opened. New resources were provided for low-performing schools. A decade after being labeled the worst in the nation, Chicago's schools were held up as a national model.
Despite these important achievements, much work lies ahead before the promise of school reform is fully realized. Many Chicago public school students are still not getting the education they need to be productive and engaged citizens. Prince Charitable Trusts has been an active partner in this long-term, city-wide effort to improve Chicago's public schools, and makes grants to support reform in the following three areas:
School Improvement Partnerships Working to Effect Whole-School Change
The Trusts fund "external partner" agencies (such as universities or non-profit community, social service, and cultural organizations) that act as consultants and service providers to schools. External partners help develop and implement comprehensive school improvement strategies resulting in better teaching and learning in the classroom. This work has included classroom training, school planning and management, and curriculum and assessment design. Priority is given to programs working in networks of schools that emphasize high-quality, sustained professional development for teachers.
Organizations and Programs That Increase Parent and Community Engagement in School Reform
The Trusts fund a variety of efforts to build broad-based support for improved schools. This work has included parent and community organizing, training for Local School Council members, Local School Council election campaigns, parent leadership development, and reform and advocacy organizations that inform the public debate on education issues.
System-Wide Change
The Trusts make several grants each year to organizations and programs working to improve the policies and practices of the Chicago public school system. Grantees have worked to redesign principal recruitment and evaluation processes, promote "small schools" within the Chicago Public Schools, transform college guidance in high schools, and support Chicago's community schools movement.
Note: The Trusts no longer accept unsolicited proposals for charter schools.
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