In this work, the department prioritizes building new teacher talent pipelines to ensure all students have access to diverse, quality educators; empowering principals and managers with effective talent management tools; and promoting excellence with clear expectations, accountability, and recognition for employees.
Major Programs
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Teach Chicago and Educator Equity
Developing and implementing strategies to diversify teaching talent, recruiting more teachers in high-need subject areas, strengthening supports to ensure Day 1 Readiness for new teachers, and expanding access to high-quality instruction for students across Chicago. Through Teach Chicago, the district’s initiative to develop, recruit, retain, and empower educators, CPS is expanding its teacher residency programs, developing new career pathways into teaching for CPS graduates, and providing intensive talent management support for Opportunity Schools, some of the district’s hardest-to-staff schools, and improve teacher retention tools available to principals.
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Educator Effectiveness
Transitioning “from compliance to coaching” in schools’ implementation of REACH, the district’s teacher evaluation system. Building on the implementation of multi-classroom teacher leader roles in a subset of the district’s Opportunity Schools, Educator Effectiveness is leading the district’s development of a long-term teacher leadership strategy.
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Human Resources (HR) Operations
Improving efficiency and communication from employee onboarding for new employees throughout the entire employee life cycle, identifying strategies and methods to better support and improve existing processes including adjustment of staffing processes to maintain public health safety. Building on the Safe Schools training platform to offer additional safety and compliance training throughout the district, assisting in developing protocols for Covid-19 reentry, and launching an employee engagement survey to gauge employee satisfaction across the district.
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HR Business Partners in School Support Center
Providing one-stop support for CPS school leaders for all HR-related needs, including guidance, timely technical assistance, and executive consultation. Other efforts include improvements to online systems and seamless transitions from one school year to the next.
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Health, Benefits, Leaves, and Disability Management
Providing enhanced customer service in the administration of CPS’ leave of absence program, and launching a return-to-work program to support employees transitioning back to work after a workplace injury. Other efforts include improving health education and disease management services for employees and managing deferred compensation plans.
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Talent Management
Continuing implementation of Lead with CPS, a districtwide leadership platform for employee development. Performing client management functions for all district leaders seeking Talent guidance and support, workforce planning, and organizational development.