Smaller Learning Communities (SLC): will be implemented in four large (over 1,000 students) CPS high schools. The funds will be used to personalize the educational experience of high school students and provide them with post secondary education opportunities. The opportunities offered will enhance academic achievement, graduation rate, school climate and culture in funded SLC high schools.

Safe Schools/Healthy Students:  CPS and partners propose on initiative to strengthen and expand a continuum of services and strategies to promote safe, respectful drug-free schools that support healthy social/emotional development.

Magnet Schools Assistance Program: The application contains plan for creating 5 new schoolwide magnet programs in grades Pre-K-5 or grade 8th. This grant will assist in the desegregation of CPS schools by supporting the elimination, reduction, and prevention of minority group isolation in elementary schools with substantial numbers of minority group. 

Voluntary Public School Choice: This project will reduce the achievement gap within the context of choice by transforming low-performing schools into high-performing ones, identifying more high quality seats in existing schools, increasing communication to parents' community, and providing interventions for high schools at-risk students.

Readiness and Emergency Management: Ensure development of an emergency plan and professional development and training for all CPS staff and parents.

Reducing Youth Involvement in Gangs and Violent Crime (Department of Labor): The program is all designed to reduce the dropout rate and the number of youth in grades 8-12 involved in gangs. The funds will be used to improve the educational/career outcomes for youth offenders and reduce gang violence.

Improving Literacy through School Libraries: This program will target another cohort of ten schools with intensive support & training while still continuing to develop & support the ten librarians in the first cohort schools by including them in appropriate literacy related training sessions. 

Transition to Teaching: An alternative certification program for 375 career changers and recent graduates. The funds will be used for the recruitment of special education teachers.

Teaching American History: This project will build the capacity to improve the retention of 40 U.S. History teachers through intensive professional development.

Carol White Physical Education:
The After-School All-Stars program is a successful after school PE program aligned to Illinois State PE Standards. It will be expanded to 120 new schools.

38 schools will participate in an integrated Physical Education curriculum with ballroom dancing as a core element.