OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
March 5, 2014
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a congratulatory resolution concerning STEM schools. Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
H resolution
adopud by Tlte Gity Gouncil ofthe Gity of Ghicago, Illinois
presented by mayor rahm emanuel on march 5,2014
^tyQhcYBClS . Th© Members of this Chamber are pleased to recognize the creation within the Chicago Public Schools of five Early College Science, Technology, Engineering and Math ("STEM") High Schools, which are designed to prepare the next generation of students for the 21st century workforce; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, the City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools partnered with technology giants IBM, Cisco Systems, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Motorola Solutions, Inc. and Verizon Wireless, and several higher education institutions, including the City Colleges of Chicago, DePaul University and Northwestern University, to open five STEM High Schools across the City: Chicago Vocational Career Academy, George H. Corliss High School, Lake View High School, Michele Clark High School and Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy; and
WHEREAS, Located throughout Chicago, these five STEM High Schools employ the innovative Pathways in Technology Early College High School Model ("PTECH") to improve and accelerate information technology career readiness among students from diverse backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, Unlike traditional secondary schools, STEM High Schools connect high school and college curricula. Business partners help to shape the high school's curriculum to ensure that it is directly tied to job requirements, and the curriculum is enhanced through a comprehensive student support system, workplace learning, mentoring and internships; and
WHEREAS, At STEM High Schools, students are treated as innovators. In addition to meeting standard high school graduation requirements, these students have the opportunity to graduate from high school with industry-recognized certifications, to earn college credit for their coursework, and to complete a six-year academic program culminating in an associate's degree from the City Colleges of Chicago or to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor's degree; and
WHEREAS, By connecting high school, college and the real world of work through partnerships with business giants, STEM High Schools train and prepare students from all backgrounds for jobs in highly technical and newly emerging fields, including students who are traditionally underrepresented in information and technology careers, thereby potentially changing the demographics within this field across the Chicago Metropolitan Area and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Every child deserves an excellent and challenging education. By enabling students to realize their full potential, and to gain the skills necessary to succeed in 21st century jobs, STEM High Schools are one reason why cities around the Nation are now looking to Chicago as a model of innovation in education and job growth; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this fifth day of March, 2014, do hereby acknowledge and applaud the educational achievements of Chicago's five Early College STEM High Schools, and commend the Chicago Public Schools, and its business and higher education partners, for pioneering a new vision for college and career readiness in the information and technology field; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to each of Chicago's Early College STEM High Schools, and to their respective business sponsors, as a token of our gratitude and esteem for improving the quality of education in our great City: Chicago Vocational Career Academy - Motorola Solutions, Inc.; George H. Corliss High School - Verizon Wireless; Lake View High School - Microsoft Corporation; Michele Clark High School - Cisco Systems, Inc.; and Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy - IBM.