Thrive Chicago: Hundreds of Chicago-based organizations are collaborating and sharing best practices to increase the number of Chicago youth who graduate from high school, earn credentials of economic value, and go on to successful careers. Through Thrive, Chicago Public Schools and eight other organizations are piloting an effort to share data between schools and youth-serving organizations. These organizations will receive daily updates on student attendance, grades, and other information, allowing them to positively intervene in students' lives.

Pro bono partners: Deloitte, DLA Piper, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, KPMG, McKinsey & Company

City Colleges Reinvention: Since 2007, Civic Consulting Alliance and pro bono partners have supported Reinvention, the most ambitious transformation of a community college system in the nation. Under Reinvention, graduation rates have doubled - and are on track to double again - as the City Colleges prepare Chicagoans for the jobs of the future. Today, we are helping City Colleges students prepare for high-quality healthcare jobs by consolidating disparate healthcare programs into a new, $250 million, state-of-the art Malcolm X campus. 

Mayor Emanuel commented, "We have turned our City Colleges from teaching students what they should have learned in high school to preparing them for good-paying jobs and good careers."

Pro bono partners: Accenture, Bain and Company, The Boston Consulting Group, KPMG LLP, Lantern Partners, McKinsey & Company, Monitor Group, R. Kent Carson, Towers Watson

Early College STEM schools: To provide Chicago students with the skills they need to succeed in the modern workforce, Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago are working together to provide college-level Math and English courses to high school students at five Early College STEM Schools. Corporate partners are working with these schools to provide mentors, advise on curriculum design, and offer project-based learning experiences to students. Civic Consulting Alliance and partners developed an implementation plan for the initiative, which will allow participating students to graduate with both high school diplomas and associate degrees in four to six years.

STEM strategy: By 2018, one out of five jobs in Cook County is expected to be in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) field, with the majority requiring a bachelor's degree. To help Chicago students prepare for these jobs, Civic Consulting Alliance and pro bono partners developed a citywide strategy to triple the number of students prepared to enter careers in STEM fields. Eleven priority areas for investment were identified by a team from the Mayor's Office, Chicago Public Schools, City Colleges of Chicago, local universities, businesses and non-profits.

Mayor Emanuel commented, "In our first term, we launched a STEM strategy that will train 1,000 teachers in science, technology, engineering and math skills - and triple the number of students that receive STEM credentials by the year 2018."

Pro bono partners: Bain & Company, McKinsey & Company

Principal quality initiative: Of all the factors that lead to effective schools, a high-quality principal is an immutable necessity. Great leaders attract, develop, and retain great teachers, transforming educational outcomes for students. Civic Consulting Alliance supported Chicago Public Schools' goal of putting an effective, high quality principal in every school by establishing a program management office to oversee, coordinate, and support 16 strategic initiatives.

Mayor Emanuel commented: "We are now training 75 to 80 new principals each year, which is quadruple the number in the past."

Pro bono partners: Bain & Company, Ernst & Young, McKinsey & Company, Shaun Considine

Dual enrollment: To expose Chicago high school students to college and allow them to earn college credit, Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago have collaborated to offer college-level courses in high schools. Civic Consulting Alliance researched best practices from other districts and provided project management to support the collaboration.

Mayor Emanuel commented, "We will build upon our growing dual credit/dual enrollment program, which provides students with opportunities to earn City Colleges credit while still in high school."

Pro bono partner: Bain & Company

For more information, please contact Brian Battle.

In the news: Emanuel Unveils Second-Term Education Agenda

This report will help support students like Vanessa, a low-income, first-generation college student with exceptional high school grades. When Vanessa began to fail tests during her freshman year of college, she started questioning whether she really belonged on campus. In Chicago, thousands of academically promising students like Vanessa drop out of college every year.
 

Thrive's new report shines a spotlight on the challenge of college persistence and other educational milestones. The data reveal whether youth outcomes are improving and will inform collaborative youth-serving initiatives launched through Thrive Chicago.

"From cradle to career, we are working to ensure our children have the quality education they deserve," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "Through this support and collaborative efforts like Thrive Chicago, Chicago students will remain on the track to college, career, and a successful future."

The release of the report marks the first of many periodic progress reports to come from Thrive as it brings together public and private sectors to help all Chicago youth succeed.

Click here to read the report. 

For more information, please contact Brian Battle.