Chicago, Illinois
Since 2011 the 675 schools in the CPS system have been divided into five “collaboratives,” each of which consists of one high school network and two to four elementary school networks. In addition to these structural changes, CPS is implementing three major new initiatives during the 2012-13 school year. They include the implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), REACH Students (the district’s new teacher evaluation system), and an extended school day.
The district has defined three pillars in their SEL implementation plan to infuse SEL into the fabric of the schools: (1) creating a positive and proactive school climate in which SEL is present in all practices and procedures; (2) adult awareness and modeling of social-emotional competencies in their teaching practices; and (3) explicit and integrated student instruction in social-emotional competencies.
Within the CPS network system, two networks, the Rock Island Elementary Network and the West Side High School Network, were selected by CPS and CASEL to be the initial partners for the CDI. Since the spring of 2012 both networks have participated in quarterly SEL leadership development institutes. As a result, each elementary and high school in the Wave 1 schools has established an SEL team and a school-based SEL leader. Team leaders have also established their own SEL professional learning community and hold regular meetings. Nine CPS schools are currently field-testing the CASEL SchoolKit and are voluntarily involved in a series of five after-school professional development work sessions.
Chief Executive Officer: Barbara Byrd-Bennett, EdD, has been the chief executive officer of CPS since November 2012. In a career that spans 44 years in the field of education, she served as the chief academic and accountability officer in the Detroit Public Schools from 2009 to 2011. Previously she held the positions of chief executive officer of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and district superintendent of two school districts in New York City.
Learn more about the Chicago Public Schools at http://www.cps.edu/Pages/home.aspx.
District Stats
Joined Collaborating Districts Initiative: 2012
Total Student Enrollment: 403,770
- Largest Racial/Ethnic Groups: Hispanic (43.7 percent) and Black (42.9 percent)
- Economically Disadvantaged Students: 86 percent
- Students with Limited English Proficiency: 15.8 percent
- Students with Disabilities (Individualized Education Programs) 13.1 percent
Total Number of Schools: 580
- Elementary Schools: 474
- Middle Schools: 0
- High Schools: 106
SEL District Leads: Jennifer Loudon, Director and Karen Van Ausdal, Manager for Youth Development and Positive Behavior
CASEL Team: Pamela Randall and Ruth Cross
