The Chicago Initiative: How to support post-secondary plans from an Ecological Systems Theory

Approach 

Student 

Microsystem

Mesosystem

Exosystem

Macrosystem

BREAKESL

15%

IEPs

12%

LOWER SES

72%

DOWN

30

60

90

No HS Diploma

HS/No College

Some College

0

Why is this important?

Understanding the breakdown of the

student body and the environment

they live in informs how the initiative

should be carried out in a way that

makes it achievable for each

student.

Having an accurate depiction of the students

that attend Chicago public schools can help

with the projection of success with the

initiative. If we know that the majority of the

students have lower SES, then decisions can

be made to allocate special attention that aids

them in the ways that are beneficial to their

status.

Looking at parental education levels through

the lens of theories dealing with family legacy,

means that in recommendations, we need to

appeal to engaging the parent in the process

of getting the students to make future plans.

This can make sure that parents are involved

in supporting their child through the process

Student Enrollment

Parental educational attainment 

85%

56%

22%

Chi

Chicago-READY

Program

application essaysjob fair

interview prepprofessional development

resume building

Overview Students 10-11th grade have the opportunity to

attend three free classes to assist them in college

prep, professional development, and introduction

to options outside of college and the workforce.

Through positive youth development supported

by surrounding educators, community members,

and trained counselors, the students can prepare

for their future in a structured environment

Incentive

For the student

interested in college:

completion of the thee

classes will result in one

free SAT/ACT test.

For the student

interested in the

workforce: the classes

provide networking

opportunities for potential

jobs.

10th grade

9th grade

11th grade 

12th grade-1

12th grade-2

First semester: Finish Chicago-

READY Program

Separate into cohorts based on

intended plans

If applying to college and have

taken the Chicago-READY

program, students can take one

SAT/ACT test for free

Dedicated class to facilitate the

progression towards post-

secondary plans led by the

trained school counselor

Attend Career fair/College fair

Meet with cohort groups at least

once a week in class to discuss

potential jobs, colleges, and

other opportunities

First semester: Career

aptitude test

Second semester: Begin

Chicago-READY Program by

attending 3 events by the end

of the first semester of 11th

grade

Introduce options for post-

secondary opportunities.

Brief overview on what the next

four years will entail.

Continue the post-secondary plans

class and meeting with cohort

groups

Finalize future plans and have it

approved by the trained school

counselor.

EDUCATE COUNSELORS

COLLEGE

MENTORS

FREE

SAT/ACT

PREP

SCHOOL COMMUNITY

60% of counselors are already trained in

this new program, there is still a 40%

deficit of counselors that still need to be

trained . There is a $1 million budget for

this in place. However, the entire

program needs more funding overall in

order to be successful.

The plan to have students attend

total of three "Chicago-READY"

programs, which include

courses on resume building,

professional development, and

application essay peer review in

exchange for free

SAT/ACT test can aid kids who

normally would not able to afford

such services. Statistically, these

students that would not normally

receive/attend these programs,

happen to also be the ones that

typically drop-out.

Mentors will introduce

the students into the

college atmosphere while

modeling the success of

post-secondary options as

opposed to dropping out.

ReferencesCPS : Home : CPS.EDU Home Page. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2017, from http://cps.edu/Pages/home.aspx Dinan, K. A., Fass, S., Chau, M., & Douglas-Hall, A. (2007, April 30). Struggling Despite Hard Work. Retrieved April 18, 2017, from http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_716.html Infographic: Fast facts about Chicago Public Schools. (2016, October 06). Retrieved April 18, 2017, from https://rebootillinois.com/2015/05/11/infographic-fast-facts- you-should-know-about-chicago-public-schools/37568/? utm_source=huffpo&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=5 %2F12%2F2015