Chicago Annenberg Challenge Explained

The Chicago Annenberg Challenge, chaired from 1995 to 1999 by Barack Obama, is being portrayed by some critics of the Democratic presidential nominee as an attempt to push radicalism on schools.

In fact, the project undertaken in Chicago as part of a high-profile national initiative reflected mainstream thinking among education reformers. The Annenberg Foundation's $49.2 million grant in the city focused on three priorities: encouraging collaboration among teachers and better professional development; reducing the isolation between schools and between schools and their communities; and reducing school size to improve learning.

The other eight urban projects that received money from the foundation under the Annenberg Challenge initiative launched in 1993 by the philanthropist Walter H. Annenberg pursued similar aims.

And the creation of small schools has continued as a reform strategy nationwide, most recently with major funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Read the entire article here.

Comments

[BuzzingAlong]

The Board of Directors of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge in 1995, project of the Annenberg Foundation, a Chicago public school reform project, included Obama and Ayers, and:

- Stanley O. Ikenberry, president: University of Illinois (1979"1995); member: Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago (1983"1995); former professor of education (1965"1971); senior vice president (1971"1979): Pennsylvania State University.

- Arnold R. Weber, former president: Northwestern University (1985"1994) and University of Colorado (1980"1985); professor of labor economics.

- Ray Romero, vice president/general counsel of Ameritech; Chicago School Finance Authority board member; former Illinois Commerce Commission commissioner; former civil rights attorney as Midwest regional director of MALDEF (lead counsel for Hispanic plaintiffs in the 1985 Chicago ward remap).

- Wanda White, executive director: Community Workshop on Economic Development; former policy director: Women's Self-Employment Project; former deputy commissioner of economic development under Chicago Mayors Washington, Sawyer and Dasley.

- Susan Crown, president of the Arie & Ida Crown Memorial; vice president: Henry Crown & Company; daughter of Lester Crown, who is a member of the Forbes 400 list; whose family holdings include stakes in Maytag, Hilton Hotesl, New York's Rockefeller Center, the Chicago Bulls, among others.

- Handy Lindsey, Jr., executive director (1988"1997) then president (1997"2003): Field Foundation of Illinois; former associate director of the Chicago Community Trust (1986"1988).

- Scott Smith, then publisher: Chicago Tribune.

- Edward Bottum, venture capitalist.

- John McCarter, president: Field Museum.

- Patricia Albjerg Graham, former dean of the Harvard University Graduate School of Journalism

- A

[DiBaskin]

Of course the Republicans are against anything that has to do with better Education. It might encourage people to learn, research and get the facts. Then they may even get smart enough to vote on the issues and not vote for the Party responsible for getting America in a big mess. The only chance the Republicans have is to keep Americans dumb and ignorant.

[gop4obama]

Take a quick look:

http://www.palinbycomparison.net

http://www.gop4obama.org

Thanks

[rose london]

Obama is a good role model..Americans should be proud as the rest of the world is about obama. Obama represent the core Values of America way of lives and in there thinking. Mainwhile Mccain and Palin represent what the rest of the world is afraid of . These two does not represent majority of Americans, mainwhile Obama does.

[rr52]

This is the background experience to lead with Obama at the helm that has been completely swept under rug by the Republican party.

[nellie]

It's very impressive that Obama chaired this group. He has always stepped up to participate in activities that help people.

[Zhonni]

So Obama has the experience revered so much by Republicans, EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE?

[SeanGardner]

absolutely!!!!

[justobserve]

Did Obama ever talk about his executive experience or he just mentioned "community organzing" and the Republicans just used it as code word for "black"? While McCain and Palin exxagerated their experience, it's ashamed that Obama never extends more about what he did do, and tag those works with a title to counter McCain-Palin's attack of "what has he ever done?" Palin used her title "Governor" as if Alaska Governor is something like that of other state. Now we found out that the Governorship just dropped onto her lap while her two opponents were busy fighting each other and Palin poured more fuel into the fire! After she got it, she runs it as a family matter and abuse her power and let her husband does works as if he is a Co-Governor! Shame on the UNHORONABLE- McCain and POWER-ABUSER Palin!