Equity-Focused Innovation in Chicago Public Schools

This report, Equity-Focused Innovation in Chicago Public Schools, showcases promising practices from participants in our Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and Fall Design Studio. Each school highlighted began by identifying the problem they were trying to solve and seeking input from teachers, students, parents, and community members. Through surveys and focus groups, they gained an understanding of stakeholders’ needs, perspectives, and challenges. To test and refine potential solutions, they developed prototypes of projects to adopt at their schools.

In 2022-23, The Fund is facilitating innovation through our PLCs, Summer Design Program (SDP), and Fall Design Studio, as well as a Fall Design-to-Implement cohort that provided additional coaching and support to design teams. Citywide, school leaders engaged in these programs to collaboratively and iteratively tackle problems. We publish and share reports such as this to amplify their work and impact, and to inform others working to support strong school leaders.