Why Chicago?

Tarkington School, May 2008

One of the greatest challenges facing our leaders is to provide high-quality educational experiences and health-promoting environments for students in urban school districts serving low-income communities of color. The Chicago Public Schools system serves more than 400,000 students at more than 650 schools. African-American and Latino students comprise 85 percent of the district’s student population. More than 83 percent of the student population is considered low-income, and the district serves more than 56 million school meals per year.

As President Obama and Secretary of Education Duncan bring the lessons they’ve learned in Chicago to the national education dialogue, advocates and leaders in children’s health and education are looking to Chicago schools for lessons that may shape national policy.

At Healthy Schools Campaign, we would like to share several Chicago experiences that can offer valuable lessons for national school health policy.

 

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