COUNCIL OF THE GREAT CITY SCHOOLS
1331 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW NO 1100N, WASHINGTON, DC 20004 www.cgcs.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: CGCS HELPS ITS MEMBERS IMPROVE THROUGH ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH, CONFERENCES, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

CATEGORICAL GRANTSTHE COUNCIL RECEIVED THREE NEW CATEGORICAL GRANTS IN FY19-20, INCLUDING SUPPORT FROM 1) THE SCHUSTERMAN FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE 2020 CONTINUITY OF LEARNING SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION IN IDENTIFYING AND SHARING BEST PRACTICES AND EXEMPLARS ON ESSENTIAL ELA AND MATH CONTENT; 2) THE WALLACE FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO DISTRICTS INVOLVED IN THE PRINCIPAL PIPELINE; AND 3) THE COLLEGE BOARD TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERSHIP SCHOOLS TO SIGN UP FOR THE START LEADERSHIP PROGRAM.CONTINUED ON PAGE 43THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OPERATED: 1) THE SECOND YEAR OF THE GATES FOUNDATION FOR A "CURRICULUM SUPPORTS FOR STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION & EQUITY POLICY SUPPORT" PROJECT; 2) THE SECOND YEAR OF THE W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION THROUGH STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PARTNERS, INC. ON A MULTI-DISTRICT EARLY-LITERACY ACCELERATOR PILOT; 3) THE FOURTH YEAR OF A WALLACE FOUNDATION GRANT TO ENGAGE LARGE URBAN DISTRICTS IN "CROSS-CITY ACTION GROUPS" USING THEIR ESSA FUNDING; 4) THE FOURTH AND FINAL YEAR OF A COLLEGE BOARD GRANT TO SUPPORT THE OFFICIAL SAT PRACTICE "ALL IN" CHALLENGE. 5) THE FOURTH AND FINAL YEAR OF A WALLACE FOUNDATION GRANT TO ANALYZE PRINCIPAL SUPERVISORY POSITIONS IN URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS. OTHER GRANTS RECEIVED THIS YEAR SUPPORTED PEER-TO-PEER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TEAMS TO HELP MEMBER DISTRICTS IMPROVE INSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS. THE COUNCIL PRODUCED A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON EACH OF THESE REVIEWS WITH DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO IMPROVE SCHOOL-DISTRICT PERFORMANCE AND OPERATIONS.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP SERVICES THIS IS THE COMBINED ORGANIZATIONAL SERVICES OF THE COUNCIL OF THE GREAT CITY SCHOOLS, INCLUDING LEGISLATION, COMMUNICATIONS, RESEARCH, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES.LEGISLATION--THE COUNCIL HELPS STRENGTHEN THE QUALITY OF SCHOOLING FOR THE NATION'S URBAN CHILDREN BY PROVIDING INFORMATION TO FEDERAL AGENCIES AND TO THE MEMBERSHIP ON FEDERAL ACTIVITY. CONTINUED ON PAGE 44IN 2019-20, THE COUNCIL:- SUPPORTED THE USE OF THE TITLE I FORMULA TO DISTRIBUTE INITIAL $13 BILLION IN CARES ACT FUNDING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS APPROVED BY CONGRESS. - HOSTED AN ONLINE CONFERENCE IN MARCH 2020 ALONG WITH MULTIPLE BRIEFINGS FOR MEMBER DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE UPDATES AND ANSWERS QUESTIONS ON FEDERAL FUNDING AND FLEXIBILITY AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.- SUPPORTED A SECOND ROUND OF COVID-19 STIMULUS FUNDING FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE HOUSE HEROES ACT, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR SCHOOL MEAL SHORTFALLS AND OFF-CAMPUS INTERNET CONNECTIVITY. - OPPOSED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S GUIDANCE TO PROVIDE INCREASED FUNDING FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO WERE NOT POOR UNDER THE CARES ACT.- COMMENTED TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ON THE TIMING OF THE MARCH 2020 E-RATE FILING DEADLINE IN ADVANCE OF COVID-19 SCHOOL DISTRICT CLOSURES. - OPPOSED THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED CUTS IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TEACHERS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, STUDENT SAFETY, AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, BUT SUPPORTED INCREASES IN TITLE I, INDIVIDUAL WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA), AND OTHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. - SUPPORTED SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS AND TAX CREDITS IN NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE LEGISLATION. - CONVENED MULTIPLE WEBINARS, CONFERENCE CALLS, AND INFORMATION SESSIONS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CENSUS 2020. - COMMENTED ON THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S REVISIONS TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) ELIGIBILITY. - COMMENTED TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ON REGULATORY SIMPLIFICATION AND STREAMLINING OF THE SCHOOL MEAL AND SUMMER FOOD PROGRAMS.- COMMENTED TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY'S INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE ON TAX LOOPHOLES USED FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS.- OPPOSED THE ADMINISTRATION'S EDUCATION FREEDOM SCHOLARSHIP PROPOSAL. - SIGNED ONTO AN AMICUS BRIEF OPPOSING THE USE OF TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIPS AT RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS IN THE ESPINOZA VS. MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE CASE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT.- COMMENTED TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ON THE USE OF E-RATE FUNDS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE CONSOLIDATION OF FUNDS WITH OTHER UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAMS.- HOSTED A SERIES OF LEGAL WEBINARS WITH HUSCH BLACKWELL ON ISSUES AFFECTING URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS. - FIELDED SCORES OF QUESTIONS AND HELPED MEMBER SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS WITH VARIOUS FEDERAL AGENCIES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS. - CONDUCTED STRATEGIC SUPPORT TEAMS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, ENGLISH LEARNERS, AND GENERAL INSTRUCTION ALONG WITH NON-INSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS FOR SEVERAL MEMBER SCHOOL DISTRICTS. COMMUNICATIONSTHE COUNCIL WORKS TO GIVE THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS A BALANCED AND ACCURATE VIEW OF THE CHALLENGES, DEVELOPMENTS, AND SUCCESS OF URBAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. IN 2019-20 THE COUNCIL: - CREATED A WEBSITE WITH INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES, MATERIALS, ACTION PLANS, AND OTHER INFORMATION ON WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICTS WERE DOING IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19.- ISSUED MULTIPLE PRESS RELEASES ON VARIOUS COUNCIL ACTIVITIES. - HELD WEEKLY CONFERENCE CALLS WITH MEMBER URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE NATION TO SHARE INFORMATION AND BEST PRACTICES FOR DEALING WITH THE CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC. - PARTICIPATED IN THE RELEASE OF THE 2019 TRIAL URBAN DISTRICT ASSESSMENT (TUDA) RESULTS IN READING AND MATHEMATICS.- HOSTED AN EDUCATION WEEK LISTENING TOUR WITH THE NEWSPAPER'S EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AT THE COUNCIL'S ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE.- COORDINATED A NATIONAL TOWN HALL MEETING ON "THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 2020 CENSUS. - FIELDED SCORES OF INQUIRIES FROM NATIONAL AND REGIONAL MEDIA OUTLETS.- CONVERTED THE URBAN EDUCATOR, THE COUNCIL'S AWARD-WINNING NEWSLETTER, TO A DIGITAL VERSION. - PUBLISHED THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL REPORT.- HOSTED THE 19TH ANNUAL PUBLIC RELATIONS EXECUTIVES MEETING IN WASHINGTON, D.C.- MANAGED THE CGCS-BERNARD HARRIS MATH AND SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM. - PARTICIPATED IN THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS CONFERENCE.- MANAGED THE ORGANIZATION'S BLUE RIBBON CORPORATE ADVISORY GROUP.RESEARCHTIMELY DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO PREPARE COMPREHENSIVE REPORTS, PREDICT TRENDS, AND ASSESS VARIOUS REFORMS AND PRACTICES ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE. IN 2019-20, THE COUNCIL:- WROTE ENSURING A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH TO REOPENING SCHOOLS AFTER COVID-19: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT TO CLARIFY THE ROLE OF RESEARCH DEPARTMENTS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS' RESPONSES TO THE PANDEMIC.- RELAUNCHED WWW.EDWIRES.ORG TO COORDINATE DOCUMENT AND INFORMATION SHARING AMONG MEMBER DISTRICT LEADERS. - ANALYZED DATA ON DISTRICT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL OUTCOMES FOR MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS OF COLOR IN MEMBER DISTRICTS. - COMPLETED NATIONAL SURVEY ON PRINCIPAL SUPERVISORS IN URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PRESENTED RESULT TO THE WALLACE FOUNDATION. - COLLECTED, ANALYZED, AND REPORTED ON THE COUNCIL'S ACADEMIC KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS). - SERVED AS THE LEAD EVALUATOR ON A KELLOGG FOUNDATION GRANT TO IMPROVE EARLY LITERACY ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SAN ANTONIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. - CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON URBAN SCHOOL PROGRESS ON THE TRIAL URBAN DISTRICT ASSESSMENT (TUDA) OF THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS (NAEP).- PROVIDED TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO DISTRICTS ON NAEP AND OTHER NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS RESULTS DURING THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S ASSESSMENT WORKSHOPS. - CONVENED THE TRIAL URBAN DISTRICT ASSESSMENT TASK FORCE TO ADVISE THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT GOVERNING BOARD AND THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS. - REPRESENTED URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICT INTERESTS AT NUMEROUS NATIONAL RESEARCH MEETINGS. - RESPONDED TO NUMEROUS MEMBER REQUESTS FOR STATISTICAL INFORMATION AND RESEARCH ASSISTANCE.- MANAGED THE DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS, AND REPORTING OF THE COUNCIL'S OPERATIONAL KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS. ACHIEVEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTIMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL STUDENTS AND CLOSING ACHIEVEMENT GAPS IS ONE OF THE COUNCIL'S MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES. IN 2019-20, THE COUNCIL:- CONDUCTED SITE VISITS TO DISTRICTS THAT HAVE SHOWN SUBSTANTIAL GAINS ON NAEP TO DOCUMENT SHARED CHARACTERISTICS AND STRATEGIES. - PARTICIPATED ON NAEP VISIONING PANELS FOR READING AND MATHEMATICS TO HELP UPDATE FRAMEWORKS. - PLANNED AND HOSTED A WEBINAR FOR MEMBER SCIENCE LEADERS TO SHARE AND DISCUSS INFORMATION ON QUALITY MIDDLE SCHOOL UNITS. - CONVENED A COMMITTEE OF MEMBERS TO REVIEW AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE CURRICULUM QUALITY RUBRIC AND A GROUP TO WORK ON MODEL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. - CONVENED THE ANNUAL MEETING OF CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICERS. - COLLABORATED WITH ACHIEVE TO SURVEY MEMBER DISTRICTS ABOUT THE STATE OF SCIENCE EDUCATION IN MEMBER DISTRICTS. - COLLABORATED WITH STRATEGIC PARTNERS IN SUPPORTING URBAN DISTRICTS WITH STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION AND SCHOOL TURNAROUND INITIATIVES. - PROVIDED DISTRICTS WITH ON-SITE AND VIRTUAL SUPPORT ON THEIR CURRICULUM INITIATIVES. - CONNECTED DISTRICTS WITH THEIR PEERS TO ANSWER REQUESTS ON A HOST OF ACADEMIC ISSUES.- COORDINATED THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK WITH LEADING MATHEMATICS AND LITERACY ORGANIZATIONS. - ESTABLISHED A CAO TASK FORCE TO PROVIDE DISTRICTS WITH GUIDANCE ON ADDRESSING UNFINISHED LEARNING THAT DEVELOPED DURING THE PANDEMIC. - WORKED WITH CCSSO AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PARTNERS TO REVIEW THEIR PUBLICATIONS. - ATTENDED MEMBER COVID-19 MEETINGS TO UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES THEY FACED AND BRING ACADEMIC ISSUES TO THEIR ATTENTION.

MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES THE COUNCIL ONLY HELD SEVEN CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS IN FY19-20. THE SPRING LEGISLATIVE/POLICY CONFERENCE THAT SHORTENED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND HELD ON-LINE IN MARCH 2020. THE ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE WAS HELD ON OCTOBER 23-27, 2019, IN LOUISVILLE, KY. CONFERENCE SESSIONS FOCUSED ON CHALLENGES FACING THE NATION'S LARGEST URBAN PUBLIC-SCHOOL DISTRICTS.FOUR OTHER JOB-ALIKE MEETINGS WERE HELD BY THE ORGANIZATION DURING FY19-20. THESE SESSIONS INCLUDED MEETINGS OF THE ORGANIZATION'S PUBLIC RELATIONS EXECUTIVES, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICERS, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS, AND HR/PERSONNEL DIRECTORS.

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