Oct 25, 2007 8:28 pm US/Central
Board Of Education Approves 18 New Schools
CHICAGO (STNG) ―
The nation's third largest schools system will be adding 18 schools to it's list of over 600, thanks to a vote Wednesday by the Chicago Board of Education.
The Board approved 18 schools set to open over the next two years, according to a release from Chicago Public Schools.
Among the approved schools is the Hope Institute, serving K-8 children with autism and developmental disabilities, Disney II and Burroughs II, replicating the academic successes at Disney Magnet School and Burroughs Elementary, and a charter school that will be run by the University of Chicago and serve middle-grade students, the release said.
CPS says the new schools, 14 opening in 2008 and four in 2009, will offer innovations including longer school days, more professional development for teachers and programs designed to encourage parental involvement, the release said.
The schools were among 19 new school proposals recommended to the Board by CPS CEO Arne Duncan two weeks ago. Teachers, community leaders, and local and national educators submitted 38 new school proposals this past summer through the Renaissance 2010 Request for Proposals process.
A significant portion of funding for the new schools will come from the Renaissance Schools Fund. The fund has raised more than $41 million in private funds to create 100 new schools by 2010 and replace low-performing schools with new educational options in underserved communities, all as part of the Renaissance 2010 program, the release said.
A total of 55 schools have already opened under the Renaissance 2010 program, which was created three years ago by Mayor Daley.
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