Catalyst Chicago
Public schools that overcome the colossal odds that go hand in hand with extreme poverty must have a number of things working in their favor. Five things, to be exact, as has been proven time and time again by research and experience. Among them are parent and community partners that rally around efforts to improve the school and a faculty of qualified teachers who have a can-do attitude.
Two others are a safe and orderly environment where children can learn in peace, and a challenging curriculum that builds on skills students learn each year...