“Winning ugly” (Perspective, Oct. 25) highlights the strides that have been made over the last decade to improve education in Chicago. “Still missing, however, is a well thought-out plan to help schools improve teaching,” according to the article.
Exactly as old as the reform plan, the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program works to find, train and inspire the best teachers for Chicago school children, recruiting and training the best teachers for high-need schools. Each year the program selects 60 high school seniors. In exchange for a scholarship, the Golden Apple Scholar agrees to teach in a school of high need for five years.
In addition to the financial assistance, Golden Apple Scholars also receive three times the amount of classroom experience as their peers in conventional education programs. While there are larger programs throughout the country, the Golden Apple program works to find the best teachers for our schools. The program has a 61 percent minority composition, addressing the need for minority teachers.
With an 83 percent retention rate over the last 10 years, the program is well above the norm for teacher recruitment and training programs.
Excellence in teaching–the goal of the Golden Apple Foundation–doesn’t happen overnight, nor does it happen without hard work. The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program is a perfect example of how Chicago does have a well thought-out plan for excellence in teaching. After 10 years, we’re beginning to see the benefits of focusing on quality teachers and excellence in education in Chicago.
