Charter Schools Receive Innovative Education Grant

The Illinois Network of Charter Schools and the CME Group Foundation forge partnership

CHICAGO, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thanks to a productive partnership between the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS), the CME Group Foundation and several educational programs, charter public schools will have access to professional development programs and classroom assistance valued at $78,000 through the 2010-2011 school year.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for our member schools during a time of economic challenge," said Andrew Broy, President of INCS. "The CME Group Foundation is the model for civic-minded organizations. Their support helps further the cause of better educational opportunities for the schoolchildren of Illinois through the innovative programming we are able to provide with their assistance."

Three schools will receive professional development courses in the Playful Approaches curriculum through the Chicago Children's Museum; two will focus on math and one will focus on science, and each teacher involved will receive a free field trip to the museum for his or her class. Four high schools will receive year-long support from the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) in an award-winning entrepreneurship curriculum, including materials and coaching. Future Founders will work alongside the entrepreneurship program, connecting students to mentors, speakers, and tours. Yes, You Can! will be giving motivational assemblies regarding personal empowerment to various charter schools as well.

Several campuses from Chicago International Charter Schools, LEARN Charter School and Bronzeville Lighthouse Charter School will participate in the programs, benefiting the neighborhoods of Altgeld Gardens, Bronzeville, Englewood, Irving Park, Riverdale and Washington Heights.

"We were able to make these connections because of the work INCS does on behalf of its member schools," said Kassie Davis, Executive Director of the CME Group Foundation. "Our foundation exists to enhance economic opportunities for students who, traditionally, have been underserved by the system at large. These programs will help the charter schools in their mission to prepare their students for all aspects of life after school."

Created in 2003, The Illinois Network of Charter Schools is an educational support and advocacy not-for-profit organization. The voice of the state's charter schools, INCS advocates for legislation to strengthen charter schools, educates the public about the value of charter schools, and supports the dissemination of best practices throughout the system. INCS works mainly with school officials, those who wish to start the charter school authorization process, and parents who wish to show their support for public education options.

CME Group Foundation was created in 2008 and endowed with a gift of $16 million from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Trust (CME Trust).  CME Trust, with assets of approximately $60 million, was established by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) in 1969, under the direction of its then chairman, Leo Melamed, to provide financial protection to customers in the event a CME member firm became insolvent or unable to meet its obligations to its customers.  Because there never was a need for the endowment to be used for its intended purpose, CME Trust received approval to distribute its net income to public charities in 2005.  In addition to the Foundation's annual grant payout, .CME Trust expects to make a contribution annually to CME Group Foundation for its grantmaking.

CME Group Foundation's mission is to enhance economic opportunity by supporting academic initiatives and activities, primarily in the Chicago region, that: promote research, teaching and learning in financial markets, futures and derivatives; promote the education of disadvantaged children and youth; and promote the health and education of young children.

SOURCE Illinois Network of Charter Schools