Council of the Great City Schools

Council of the Great City Schools. The Council of the Great City Schools is a non-profit organization that works to improve public education in urban schools across the United States, with members including New York City Department of Education, Los Angeles Unified School District, and Chicago Public Schools. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has been led by Michael Casserly since 1992. The Council of the Great City Schools has worked with various organizations, including the National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, and National Association of Secondary School Principals, to promote education reform and improve student achievement.

● History

The Council of the Great City Schools was founded in 1967 by a group of urban school district superintendents, including New York City Schools Chancellor Harold Howe II and Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Jack McQuigg. The organization was established to address the unique challenges faced by urban schools, such as poverty, inequity, and limited resources, and to provide a platform for urban school leaders to share best practices and advocate for education policy changes. Over the years, the Council of the Great City Schools has worked with various U.S. Presidents, including Lyndon B. Johnson, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama, to promote education reform and improve student outcomes. The organization has also partnered with foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Carnegie Corporation of New York to support education initiatives.

● Membership

The Council of the Great City Schools has a membership of over 70 urban school districts, including Houston Independent School District, Philadelphia School District, and Dallas Independent School District. Member districts are located in major cities across the United States, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston. The organization's members serve over 7 million students and employ over 400,000 teachers and staff members. The Council of the Great City Schools also has a network of partner organizations, including the National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of School Psychologists, and American School Counselor Association, which work together to support urban education.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The Council of the Great City Schools has a mission to improve public education in urban schools by providing technical assistance, professional development, and advocacy support to its member districts. The organization's objectives include improving student achievement, reducing achievement gaps, and increasing high school graduation rates. The Council of the Great City Schools also aims to promote education equity and social justice by addressing the unique challenges faced by urban students, including poverty, trauma, and limited access to resources. The organization has worked with U.S. Department of Education officials, including Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, to promote education policy changes that support urban education.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

The Council of the Great City Schools offers a range of programs and initiatives to support its member districts, including professional development opportunities, technical assistance, and grant funding. The organization's programs focus on areas such as teacher effectiveness, principal leadership, and early childhood education. The Council of the Great City Schools has also launched several initiatives, including the Urban School Leadership program, which provides leadership development opportunities for urban school leaders, and the Council's African American Male Initiative, which aims to improve outcomes for African American male students. The organization has partnered with universities such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California, Los Angeles to support education research and innovation.

● Leadership_and_Governance

The Council of the Great City Schools is led by an Executive Director and a Board of Directors composed of urban school superintendents and education leaders. The organization's leadership team includes experts in areas such as education policy, teacher effectiveness, and school finance. The Council of the Great City Schools is governed by a set of bylaws that outline the organization's mission, objectives, and governance structure. The organization has a headquarters in Washington, D.C. and a staff of over 50 employees, including education experts, policy analysts, and communications specialists. The Council of the Great City Schools has worked with national education organizations, including the National Association of State Boards of Education and National Conference of State Legislatures, to promote education policy changes.

● Research_and_Publications

The Council of the Great City Schools publishes a range of research reports and publications on topics related to urban education, including student achievement, teacher effectiveness, and school finance. The organization's research focuses on areas such as education equity, social justice, and school improvement. The Council of the Great City Schools has published reports on topics such as common core state standards, teacher evaluation, and school turnaround, and has worked with research institutions such as the Brookings Institution, Urban Institute, and RAND Corporation to support education research and policy analysis. The organization's publications are widely read by education leaders, policymakers, and researchers across the United States, including those at U.S. Department of Education, National Education Association, and American Federation of Teachers.

Category:Education organizations