University Connections
Center for Urban School Improvement
The Center for Urban School Improvement (USI), houses the Urban Teacher Education Program. Since 1988, it has worked in elementary schools in low-income neighborhoods, predominantly situated on the mid-south side of Chicago to provide professional development and coaching support to principals and their lead staff as they prepare to open new schools. USI has cultivated the varied staff and organizational expertise necessary to support the work of the Urban Teacher Education Program. UTEP benefits from the University’s long tradition of research and curriculum development, as well as the deep clinical expertise of its staff. USI is also the parent body of both the University of Chicago Charter Schools . The overarching mission of the University of Chicago Charter Schools is to 1) prepare students for success in college, 2) contribute to the community by offering programs to children and families beyond the school day and school year; and 3) serve as a site of professional development, where teachers—including UTEP interns-- enhance their capacity to educate all students. The School consists of three campuses—North Kenwood/Oakland Elementary School, Donoghue Elementary School, and Woodlawn High School.
Graham School
The Graham School of General Studies is the academic unit that awards the Master of Arts in Teaching. Established at the founding of the University in 1892 as one of the central elements of William Rainey Harper's education plan, has a long tradition, starting in 1902, of preparing teachers for the classrom and continuing support through teacher in-service training. The Education Unit of the university is housed within the Graham School, which serves as the official liason to the state for all matters regarding certification.
Urban Education Initiative and the Committee on Education
The Urban Education Initiative was organized by the University of Chicago to focus its intellectual resources on the improvement of urban public schools. UEI brings together the research strengths of the University’s academic departments and the expertise of the teachers, social workers, and administrators who work in urban public schools. Chicago UTEP, with its mission to prepare reflective teacher leaders for challenging urban schools, is one of the central entities in the Committee on Education. The other units are the Center for Urban School Improvement ; the School of Social Service Administration , which prepares social workers and community-school leaders to collaborate with their neighborhoods and access resources that meet the developmental needs of students and families; the Consortium on Chicago School Research, whose applied research on the Chicago Public Schools provides invaluable data and analysis to advance effective urban school practice; and the Committee on Education led by Professor Stephen Raudenbush, which conducts research about the characteristics of high-performing urban schools.