Our Work
The fundamental purpose of the Urban Education Institute is to create new knowledge to address one of the nation’s most significant and enduring questions: how do we produce reliably excellent schooling for children growing up in urban America?
By drawing the intellectual resources of the University of Chicago together with expert practitioners who work with children every day, we believe we can better clarify the practices, supports, tools, and research necessary to ensure all children engage in ambitious intellectual work. By carefully integrating our work, we believe UEI can build a new model for how a University can support the improvement of American schooling.
- We educate children in four University charter schools on Chicago’s South Side. The University of Chicago Charter School campuses are designed to create a pathway to college success for students in grades pre-K-12. We also incubate and support new Chicago public schools, sharing solutions and exemplary practices as school leaders and teachers learn together. » Read more
- We prepare and support teachers and leaders for success in urban schools in Chicago and the rest of the nation. The Urban Teacher Education Program is a new model for teacher preparation creating the next generation of teachers and teacher leaders for the profession.
» Read more - We conduct research that improves children’s lives. The Consortium on Chicago School Research is nationally recognized for its work that has informed public policy and changed practice while examining issues of significance to school improvement nationwide. The Committee on Education brings together distinguished faculty members who pursue questions of fundamental importance to education. » Read more
- We innovate and share best practices, tools, and ideas to improve teaching and learning. From the Digital Youth Network to a unique college readiness curriculum and social network, we are dedicated to finding solutions to the challenges facing urban educators and the children they serve. Our solutions are based on deep analysis of real schools and collaboration with educators who work with students every day. » Read more
Besides our key partners highlighted above, the Institute also will work other programs and individuals across the University that are involved in K-12 education and youth welfare, such as the Chapin Hall Center for Children, the School of Social Service Administration, the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project, and the Center for Elementary Mathematics and Science Education.
