For Immediate Release
June 14, 2006
ISBE Board Chairman Jesse Ruiz joins Chicago Public
Schools CEO Arne Duncan, parents and educators to highlight
advantages
of Small Schools concept
Panel discussion will allow parents
and educators to discuss benefits of Small Schools
to students CHICAGO – Illinois State Board of Education Chairman
Jesse Ruiz today joined Chicago Public Schools Chief
Executive Officer Arne Duncan, parents and educators
for a panel discussion at the DuSable High School on
Chicago’s South Side, to highlight the Small Schools
concept, part of Governor Blagojevich’s recently
unveiled plan to reform the state’s schools.
“Small schools can provide a more focused and
personalized education for students, especially those
who can most benefit from such a learning environment.
In small schools, parents of students who may be struggling
can work more closely with teachers and administrators
to design a plan to help that student,” said ISBE
Chairman Ruiz.
“The governor’s funding plan includes support
for some very strong education initiatives, including
small schools and identity schools. These are ideas that
deserve a full and open discussion of how they benefit
students,” said CPS CEO Duncan.
Last May, Gov. Rod Blagojevich unveiled a bold new education
plan aimed at reversing 25 years of chronic underfunding
in the state’s public schools.
The Governor’s plan will build on four consecutive
budgets that have invested record amounts in Illinois
schools, by implementing initiatives including: full
day kindergarten and universal preschool; funding new
school construction; creating “Small Schools” and “Identity
Schools”; helping school districts regularly replace
outdated textbooks; extending the school year for underachieving
schools; performance pay for teachers; increased takeovers
of failing districts; funding after school tutoring for
underachieving students; helping schools afford special
education teachers; increasing parent involvement; increasing
district consolidations; improving libraries; more and
better mentoring for principals and superintendents;
helping schools afford new technology; and reducing school
district administrative costs.
In the past four budgets, the governor has boosted education
funding to more than $3.8 billion, the largest increase
by an administration in Illinois history; raised high
school graduation standards, created universal preschool
and cut red tape.
The reform plan unveiled by the Governor builds on that
progress, focusing on five areas vital to improving schools
and helping kids learn, including:
- A good place to learn;
- Strong teachers and administrators;
- Quality materials;
- Enough time to learns; and
- Schools with the financial resources to get the job
done.
A key aspect of the Governor plan will be developing
more “Small Schools”. Small schools have
reported better attendance rates, stronger academic achievement,
lower dropout rates, greater participation in activities,
less vandalism and violence, and particularly strong
academic results for low-income students and minority
students.
The National Center for Education Statistics reports
that violent acts and drug abuse are far less common
in small schools. Less than 8 percent of urban small
schools report incidents of serious violent crime (physical
attack or fight with a weapon) while 26.5 percent of
urban schools with an enrollment of 1,000 students or
more reported such crimes.
Research by the North Central Regional Education Laboratory
(NCREL) shows that the most effective small schools share
common features such as clear goals and standards to
help focus curriculum, learning, and instruction; a distinctive
educational approach; strong outreach to and involvement
with students' families; an orientation toward active
learning in the classroom and in the community; extensive
partnerships with community and business groups (which
might include co-location); regular monitoring of student
achievement using multiple measures to refine and improve
schools; and involvement of students and educators by
choice.
A national study by Bank Street College of Education,
found that small schools in Chicago Public Schools have
higher attendance, fewer dropouts, fewer course failures,
fewer violent incidents of discipline, along with higher
teacher, student, parent, and community member satisfaction
than large schools.
“Small Schools have proven to be another effective
opportunity for students to learn. I applaud the Chicago
Public Schools for continuing to seek strategies to ensure
student and teacher success in schools,” said ISBE
member Vinni Hall.
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