Jan. 09--Mayor Rahm Emanuel will try to keep the focus on his education plans Friday, announcing a corporate donation to help expand a program that allows Chicago public school students to take classes in high school that earn them City Colleges of Chicago credits.
According to the Emanuel administration, the $500,000 contribution from General Electric will allow CPS and the city's community colleges to increase participation in the dual enrollment program from the current 2,481 students to 6,100 by the 2016-2017 school year.
Friday's announcement comes a day after Emanuel spoke about his second term education agenda, one of a series of five policy talks he has said he will give in advance of the Feb. 24 mayoral election. On Thursday, the mayor said the dual enrollment program helps "set up students for success."
"By establishing stronger connections with the City Colleges, universities, corporations and nonprofits, we will enable our seniors to choose additional course work, apprenticeships, and real-life exposure to jobs and careers," he said.
The school rollouts come as Emanuel defends his education record against harsh criticism from challengers Bob Fioretti, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and others. The mayor's decision to close dozens of schools and his strong opposition to an elected school board that's favored by his opponents have become flashpoints in the campaign.
Emanuel's education talk and his announcement of the GE donation allow him to continue making the case education is a top priority without directly engaging his opponents about the merits of the closings and other schools decisions that were unpopular with many voters.
jebyrne@tribune.com
