September 7, 2012
“I believe the Champions of Change honor can open doors for Latino youth in our nation and motivate them to pursue a career in education..."
Get to Know One Goal
One Goal aims to make college possible for students in low-income communities by providing direct academic and advisory support to high school juniors, seniors, and college freshmen. They recruit and train highly effective teachers to lead the One Goal program in their respective schools. The curriculum for the program covers ACT test preparation, tips for completing applications and navigating the financial aid process, and strategies for succeeding in college.
All sophomore students are encouraged to apply for the program. Target candidates are students that are currently underperforming academically yet exhibit potential and the desire to commit to the program's requirements. Participants complete a two-year daily class for course credit where they are taught by an exceptional teacher that hones the skills necessary for success applying to, and starting, college.
Formerly known as Urban Students Empowered, One Goal was founded in 2003 by Matt King, a teacher on the South Side of Chicago who was tired of watching students fall short of college. He believed that every student in his school had the potential to graduate from a four-year college if they had access to the comprehensive resources and structured support they deserved. In 2001, after testing different program models, the board of directors hired former Chicago Public Schools teacher and 2004 Teach For America corps member, Jeff Nelson, to grow One Goal across Chicago. Today, One Goal has 32 teachers serving 227 students in 11 low-income high schools.
Region Timeline
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Mayor Harold Washington initiates first round of Chicago education reforms by decentralizing control of Chicago schools through creation of Local School Councils (LSCs). Each principal is now accountable to an LSC.
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Secretary of Education Bill Bennett describes Chicago as the worst school system in America. Jonathan Kozol illuminates the stark inequalities in school experience of students in his book Savage Inequalities.
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A second wave of reform comes when CEO Paul Vallas takes over the school system and attempts to re-centralize and standardize operations by introducing greater transparency, accountability, and a new emphasis on standardized testing.
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A third wave of reform begins with arrival of CEO Arne Duncan. The Duncan administration tries to effect greater accountability by introducing more transparency in the form of school-by-school achievement data.
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Rob Huberman assumes control of a large, effectively de-centralized Chicago Public School system as CEO of CPS. The system includes 670 schools: roughly 450 traditional elementary schools, 150 traditional high schools, and 67 charter schools.
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Jean-Claude Brizard is appointed as CEO of CPS under Chicago mayor-elect, Rahm Emanuel.
Overheard
I am more aware of urban social issues that I never really considered because they didn't directly affect me before. Issues related to housing, neighborhood safety, and nutrition directly affect all my students, and now I consider these before I support a politician, donate to a charity, or vote for legislation.
Chicago Corps 2009
Press
August 11, 2011
A young woman goes from Chicago's housing projects to the Ivy League and back. CNN's Ted Rowlands reports.
March 12, 2011
A Q&A with Teach For America founder Wendy Kopp regarding her book "A Chance to Make History."
