WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderCharter School Tour Heads To Chicago

Charter School Tour Heads To Chicago

By Laura Gibbs

CHICAGO - Rockford gets a chance to see Chicago charter schools in action. A bus filled with business leaders, educators and curious parents tours three completely different educational options. Now some of these operators now eye Rockford.

Former Rockford teacher Joann Sanders wants choices.  Sander tells 13 News, "Just wanting to see what else is out there that can really help Rockford and our children to be what they need to be and can be.

Over time Sanders gained that perspective by actually seeing these schools perform.  Inside Chicago International Charter School we walked right into a 7th - 8th accelerated class finishing their science fair project.

One of the reasons why this first stop is so eye opening for many on this trip is CICS is ready to bring a proposal to the Rockford school board. They've already been in town looking at various sights along 7th Street and are wanting to open a K-8 school."

Executive Director Dr. Elizabeth Purvis with the Chicago International Charter School says, "Seeing these three sectors, the government, the business sector and community members all asking, being excited about us partnering with them. That's why we're in Rockford as opposed to other places we've been invited to come."

At CICS teachers use instant data from three tests to tweak learning strategies. But for teachers at Youth Connection Leadership Academy the lesson includes hope. Student Robert Evans says, "If someone comes in negative eventually they are going to leave positive cause this is a positive environment which normally people don't usually see."

Most here already dropped out of school, turned to gangs or deal with parents on drugs. YCLA sparked their interest to learn again getting a diploma and a job in finance, business or healthcare. At United Neighborhood Organization's Rufina Tamayo campus 99% of the students are Hispanic. But you wouldn't know it.

CEO Juan Rengel states, "We're trying to show that children can indeed learn English and they can learn it very quickly. We immerse students in English we do not use the traditional bi-lingual transitional program."

Three different schools with three themes leading to success. There's only eight Illinois charter school licenses up for grabs for the entire state outside of the Chicago area.