The Consortium on Chicago School Research (CCSR):

A New Model of Research to Support Urban School Reform

Presentation by Emily Krone and Nick MontgomeryJanuary 11, 2010

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

College

Graduation Rate

Beyond Headlines

100 100 100 100 100 100 100

54 57 38 65 51 71 58

18.6 21.3 11.4 17.5 10.7 32.6 23.7

6.5 6.6 2.5 3 314.7 10.9

Of 100 13 year-olds, how many….

Graduate high school by age 19

Enter a 4 year college within one year after

high school

Graduate from a four year college

within 6 years (by age 24 or

25)

Total

African-American

female

malefemale

female

malemale

Latino White/other ethnic

Understanding Graduation: The On-Track Indicator

The Search for SolutionsCPS adds on-track to HS accountability

CCSR publishes report using on-track

CCSR publishes school-by-school reports

The Search for SolutionsCPS adds on-track to HS accountability

CCSR publishes report using on-track

CCSR publishes report detailing on-track indicator

CCSR publishes “what matters”

CPS pilots freshman interventions

CPS implements early warning system

CCSR publishes school-by-school reports

CCSR’s Mission

• High-quality work• Expand communications among

policymakers, researchers, and practitioners

• Don’t argue for particular policies or practices, but support search for solutions

• Build capacity for school reform

Data Sources and Key Indicators

• Data linked to students over time: – Transcripts, administrative records, college

admissions data– Test scores– CCSR teacher and student surveys

• Key indicators:– Graduation, on-track, and college-going rates– Test scores– Essential supports– Financial aid applications, college graduation

Historical Context of CCSR

• 1988 – Chicago School Reform Act decentralizes CPS

• 1989 – Consortium founded to study effects of decentralization

• 1995 – Mayoral control comes to CPS

CCSR: Organizational Facts

• Governance – 20+ member Steering Committee– Members from CPS, labor, state board of education, and

business and philanthropic communities– Steering Committee plays no role in day to day

management

• Budget – $3.8 million for 2009-2010• Major Funders – IES, Gates, Joyce,

Spencer, Carnegie, Chicago Public Education Fund

• Staff – 40 +

CCSR-Like Organization Essential in Today’s Policy Environment

• Teachers, schools, districts and political leaders are under greater accountability pressures

• Greater demand for data/knowledge to guide policies and practices

• Researchers can play critical role in supporting districts/schools in their search for solutions

The “Must-Haves”: What is Needed to Make this Model

Work?• Strong relationships• Data• Internal organizational capacity• Consensus on mission• Communications strategy

• You are not alone• New research partnerships forming around the country

• Recent startups in New York City, Baltimore, Newark (NJ), Greater Kansas City and Texas

• Planning efforts are ongoing in Detroit, Dallas, Jacksonville (FL), Los Angeles, San Francisco and Illinois

• We can help!• Consulting, capacity building and support around the

“must-haves”• Collaboration on research and analysis with local

partners• Data tools and data system development

Getting Started…

For more information see our website at http://ccsr.uchicago.edu