Founder Pat Ryan, Jr. of The Alain Locke Initiative, a nonprofit education organization focused on closing the achievement gap by energizing urban schools with the high-impact leaders of today and tomorrow, welcomed Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and 220 of Chicago's civic leaders at The Alain Locke Initiative's Impact 2011 Dinner last night.
At the event, held at the Chicago Cut Steakhouse, Mayor Rahm Emanuel recognized the impactful work of the Alain Locke Initiative in accelerating student achievement in urban schools by acknowledging the success of retiring Alain Locke Charter School principal Lennie Jones. The recipient of the IMPACT 2011 Award, Jones' exceptional leadership helped create one of the most successful charter schools in Chicago and the United States. Specifically, under Jones' leadership, Alain Locke Charter School:
- Moved from 12% to 91% meeting or exceeding standards in math and reading combined
- Was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as 1 of 7 schools in the United States best "Closing the Achievement Gap."
- Became a training site for school leadership teams from across the nation on achievement-accelerating practices.
In his remarks, Mayor Emanuel gave accolades to Pat Ryan, Jr. and his family for their long history of championing significant causes with "sweat equity." He noted how the Ryan Family has identified issues that matter and found a way to make them better.
"After decades of U.S. education reform, only 53% of urban students graduate from high school. To create more great schools, we need more great leaders," said Pat Ryan, Jr., founder of The Alain Locke Initiative. "Lennie Jones has exemplified the strong leadership we need to accelerate student achievement in urban schools and on behalf of The Alain Locke Initiative, I am proud to recognize her with the IMPACT 2011 Award, and greatly appreciate Mayor Emanuel's support of Alain Locke and its vital work in education."
SOURCE The Alain Locke Initiative
