We've referenced the New York Times article, "What It Takes to Make a Student", many times on this blog and in our discussions at Berwyn CARES meetings. The day after Christmas, I read this front page Chicago Tribune article and was reminded of what it STILL takes to make a student.
The article, "At-risk kids: Successful New York program a possible solution for Chicago", highlights a Harlem-based program with elements consistent with the research cited in the What It Takes article like extended school day and year, highly qualified teachers, and programming beginning at birth.
Expensive? Yes, but President Obama has promised funds to communities interested in replicating the Harlem program. 3 neighborhoods in Chicago will apply for the funds. Berwyn is not one of them, but a good start toward making a difference for our neighborhood might be if our residents would take the time to read both articles and educate themselves about What It Takes to make a student...AND a community. Will you?
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