Congratulating Charter Schools for Their Ongoing Contributions to Education
CONGRATULATING CHARTER SCHOOLS FOR THEIR ONGOING CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 06, 2004)
SPEECH OF
HON. DANNY K. DAVIS
OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2004
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the continued success of our Nation's charter schools. I am extremely proud of the several Charter schools that reside in my district. Many may not fully understand the difference between a regular public school and a Charter school. In Chicago, the Charter schools are public schools, open to all children who reside in Chicago without academic admissions criteria. Each charter school has a unique mission and is operated by community organizations, universities, foundations and school teachers. While charter schools are funded by the Board of Education, they are not required to follow many board regulations. For example, they are free to set their own policies for curriculum, school hours and discipline. But charter schools are held accountable for high student academic achievement by the Board of Education
I would like to acknowledge and congratulate some of the great charter schools in my district:
The first arts-focused charter school in Chicago, the Charter School of the Chicago Children's Choir (CSCCC), integrate music throughout its interdisciplinary academic curriculum. Learning is project-oriented and emphasizes creativity. Students are able to sing in as many as 17 different languages. The late Rev. Christopher Moore founded the choir in 1956 with "a dream that young people from diverse backgrounds could better understand each other, as well as learn about themselves, by learning to make beautiful music together." The choir that Moore started with a handful of kids in the First Unitarian Church of Chicago on the South Side has grown into a downtown-based, city-wide program that brings together nearly 3,000 children each year. Its groups have performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera, at the White House, and around the world.
In 2000, community leaders working to improve educational opportunities in the West Side neighborhood of Lawndale created L.E.A.R.N., Lawndale Educational and Regional Network. They applied for a charter school and hired Nancy Dearhammer, an experienced charter school leader, to plan the curriculum and become executive director. L.E.A.R.N. will emphasize high academic standards through a 10:1 student-teacher ratio, a rigorous curriculum, year-round classes and parent involvement. L.E.A.R.N.'s year-round schedule is unusual: 9 weeks on followed by 2 weeks off, giving students a safe, positive environment all year. Parent involvement is key in the mission of the school with monthly parent teacher conversations, bimonthly parental satisfaction surveys, and strong encouragement to volunteer at the school to keep parents involved. L.E.A.R.N. is also fundraising to offer pre-school, adult education and community health services to Lawndale families.
A strong work ethic and solid commitment to education are the cornerstones of success at North Lawndale College Prep and the only requirements for admission. A rigorous community school for 350 students on Chicago's west side, North Lawndale Prep graduated its first class in June 2002. It is dedicated to developing, as opposed to merely recruiting, college-ready students from impoverished city neighborhoods. With high expectations, every student is expected to complete four years of English, social studies, and math, three years of science, and two years of foreign language. There are extra courses in reading for freshmen, writing for sophomores, and oral expression for juniors. At every level, students are expected to produce their best work consistently. In addition to athletics and after-school activities, North Lawndale Prep offers students a wide array of summer programs. These include outdoor adventure programs, an extensive orientation for freshmen, internships at Chicago businesses, and attendance at prestigious prep school and college summer programs. The summer programs expand the horizons of North Lawndale Prep students and prepare them for the challenges of college.
As demonstrated in these three examples, Charter schools provide excellence in education by delivering high-quality education and challenging our students to reach their potential. Charter schools have brought hope and the idea of success back to many poor, disadvantaged areas that felt abandoned by the education system. I commend the students for their hard work, dedication and success, the teachers for their love of education and commitment to the school and the students, and all parents for playing an active role in their child's education and more importantly their lives by letting that child know that you care and are interested in what they do every day.
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