What is the main challenge kids face today in Chicago’s public schools?
Big question. The main challenge? I think kids face a myriad of problems in Chicago Public Schools, and it’s hard to pinpoint it to just one issue. I also think there are lots of people talking about the problems that students face and not enough talking about the solution. I am a strong believer that the single greatest thing we can do to improve urban public education is to improve teacher quality. Zeke Vanderhoek, a New York City school principal, said: “I would much rather put a phenomenal, great teacher in a field with 30 kids and nothing else than take the mediocre teacher and give them half the number of students and give them all the technology in the world.” I could not agree more. A great teacher can overcome so many of the problems kids face in Chicago’s public schools so that students can learn huge amounts despite any other problems they may face. Do you think the majority of the population still seems generally unaware of the problems in inner-city schools? Great question
