Chicago Public Schools NIC
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is partnering with leading educators to support leaders in 36 schools as they implement the district’s new Skyline curriculum, ultimately improving teacher skills and student outcomes.
About the Partnership
The Need & Vision
In 2017, Chicago Public Schools administrators noted significant variations in instructional focus across schools and classrooms. They grew concerned about unequal access to quality teaching. These concerns stemmed from research that emphasized the importance of grade-appropriate assignments for student success and linked instructional material quality to outcomes.
The conclusions led to a system-wide assessment of curriculum quality, availability, and accessibility in a district where most decisions had been decentralized.
- A 2019 survey of 500 teachers confirmed the issue; almost half lacked access to curriculum resources, and 35% spent over five hours weekly searching for materials.
- An overwhelming 85% believed it was essential for the district to provide unit and lesson plans and teacher resources.
These findings galvanized Chicago leaders into action. Schools began to adopt a new, Chicago-specific curriculum known as Skyline in 2022.
System-wide shifts are inherently complex for Chicago Public Schools as the nation’s third-largest school district. The rollout of Skyline across six content areas simultaneously, following a limited pilot year and pandemic disruptions, created uncertainty and a large scale of change.
Solution
Leading Educators is working with CPS offices to facilitate a Networked Improvement Community (NIC) focused on supporting Skyline implementation and problem-solving with research-based and data-informed practices.
Together, stakeholders from 36 schools will develop mindsets that support effective change management and high expectations for students, applied instructional knowledge, and skills in improvement science. These skills will enable them to support their educators better and strengthen the quality of learning they provide students.
A Skyline NIC will:
- Center Skyline classrooms and use practical data to identify bright spots and problems of practice.
- Accelerate skillful Skyline implementation by defining, testing, and refining solutions to high-leverage classroom challenges.
- Fuel Skyline’s continuous improvement cycle by fostering the necessary structures, roles, and habits across the district.
- Eliminate silos by systematically bringing together stakeholders across organizations, networks, and schools.
Chicagoland schools and Leading Educators work together to accelerate student learning and achievement through three primary activities.
Leading Educators oversees the Skyline Improvement Science Network (SISN) programming and engagement with CPS Central Office staff, including setting meeting agendas for ongoing collaboration and supporting SISN participant recruitment.
The team also facilitates the transition to specialists leading SISN planning, programming, and coaching. It ensures that the change ideas of SISN Fellows are well-documented and accessible to CPS stakeholders. We also collect and analyze data related to Skyline Math perception, implementation, and impact on learning, supporting specialists in sharing data and learnings with CPS stakeholders.
Leading Educators designed a year-long scope and sequence for SISN meetings and coaching of SISN Fellows.
We coach participants around implementing Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to test change ideas.
Partnership By The Numbers
2,167 students
benefiting from instructional improvements in math and literacy
10 schools
working to accelerate student learning and achievement
13 PLC leaders
being supported to implement the Skyline curriculum
What's Unique
This approach is unique because it utilizes a problem-solving method grounded in improvement science. Instead of making significant changes all at once, we begin with small-scale tests of ideas to determine what works best.
Doing this allows for rapid learning and adjustments to ensure the idea is practical and effective before expanding it on a larger scale. By adopting this strategy, we can achieve enduring and meaningful changes that positively impact teaching and learning.
Meet The Team
Claudine Andrews
LeAnita Garner
Tori McGowan
Shondele Gillens-Vazquez
Morgan Qin
Danielle Parker
About Claudine Andrews
Before joining Leading Educators, Claudine provided targeted, individualized coaching support for new and experienced teachers in schools within the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) network of Chicago Public Schools. Prior to her work at AUSL, Claudine was a middle school teacher through the Inner City Teaching Corps, and a teacher and Math coach at the University of Chicago Charter School - Donoghue Campus.
Claudine holds a B.A in Sociology and French Literature from Boston College and a M.S.Ed in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University. She currently lives outside of Detroit with her husband and their two children. When not working, Claudine enjoys indoor cycling, watching college sports, and hanging out with her family and friends.
Claudine Andrews in the news
About LeAnita Garner
Before joining Leading Educators, LeAnita provided targeted, individualized coaching to new teachers in schools within the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) network of Chicago Public Schools. That role evolved into a Network Instructional Coach where she supported teachers, teacher leaders, and school leaders in deepening their understanding of standards aligned instruction through coaching support and professional development. Prior to her work at AUSL, LeAnita was a primary and intermediate classroom teacher with Atlanta Public Schools and later with the University of Chicago Charter School-Donoghue Campus.
LeAnita holds a B.S in Early Childhood Development from Northern Illinois University and a M.A.Ed in Instructional Leadership from Argosy University.
LeAnita Garner in the news
About Tori McGowan
Previously with Leading Educators, she coached instructional leaders across Chicago as an Instructional Leadership Coach. Before joining Leading Educators, Tori worked as an instructional coach with a charter school in Chicago. She has worked in education for over 26 years as a teacher, Lead Teacher, Assistant Director, Math Coordinator, and Instructional Coach.
Tori holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Tufts University and a M.A. in School Leadership from Concordia University. She lives in a suburb of Chicago where she enjoys exploring the different neighborhoods of Chicago, reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
About Shondele Gillens-Vazquez
She enjoys creating spaces where educators share experiences and problems of practice in an effort to learn from one another and develop collegial relationships. She is rooted in the belief that teachers with an awareness of strengths and influence have a special set of leadership skills necessary to influence and support educational efforts to promote equity and advocacy for children of color.
Shondele is driven by her strong desire to be an advocate for students whose voices are not recognized as appropriately powerful. She is excited to be a part of a team that believes all kids deserve to be heard while being committed to the “dance” that empowers and liberates teachers to be leaders in this necessary work.
About Morgan Qin
Over the last few years, Morgan worked as an Implementation Support Specialist for Great Minds, facilitating coaching conversations with teachers in their instruction of the Common Core math standards through Eureka math. Before working for Great Minds, Morgan was a third-grade teacher within Chicago Public Schools in the AUSL network.
Morgan currently lives in Chicago with her husband, Simon, and their dog, Roscoe. She enjoys reading, watching Liverpool soccer games, and spending time with friends and family.
About Danielle Parker
Danielle taught in Kansas City, MO and Chicago for five years. In her free time, she enjoys listening to comedy shows, reading a good book, or spending time outdoors.
Learn About Other Partnerships
Chicago Schools is just one of a dozen partnerships across the country that are pushing the boundaries of what schools can offer students. Learn more about how we customize our supports to meet the needs and strengths of visionary districts.
