The work of the education committee is inspired by the belief that the children in our community deserve a high quality education, and that schools will only improve if parents, students and teachers actively participate in local schools, come together to hold Chicago Public Schools officials accountable, and fight to ensure that grassroots voices are the main component of school decision-making. Through all this work, leadership development and training have been crucial parts of the organizing process.

The Education Committee has not only increased parent and community involvement in the daily activities of local schools, but has run campaigns to win substantive improvements in the areas of: school safety & security; school construction & repair; reduction of classroom overcrowding; teacher quality; increased resources for special education; after school programs; and adult education.

Thousands of residents have attended high-energy public meetings, marches and demonstrations that have resulted in major victories including:

• A commitment for a new community school with parent, student and teacher input into school and curriculum design.
  
  
• Measures to relieve the community's massive overcrowding.
  
  
• Several meetings (and a tour of Luis Muñoz Marin Primary Center) with the U.S. Secretary of Education.
  
  
• Millions of dollars in repairs (new roofs and windows, lead paint removal, tuckpointing and structural repair) to area schools.
  
  
• The establishment of adult GED and ESL programs with on-site daycare at two schools.
  
  
• Improved police patrol, parent patrol and crossing guards at area schools.
  
  
• Funds for after-school programs at local schools.
  
  
• Contested Local School Council (LSC) elections at nine schools with high voter turnout.
  
  
• In North Garfield Park, residents have gathered thousands of signatures and support letters from schools in North Garfield Park that launched a campaign to bring a neighborhood library to that community.
  
  
• Local special education trainings for both parents and teachers.
  
  
• Increased specialized support staff - school nurses, social workers and psychologists at area schools.
  
  
• A commitment from CPS to change the way support specialists are allocated to area schools.