Do charter schools really work for Chicago’s students and neighborhoods? James K. Murphy, founder and president of Chicago Charter School Foundation (CCSF), will address the Economic Development Council (EDC) on his organization—the largest charter school operator in Illinois—on Wednesday, Sept. 26.
In 1989 Murphy, a trader with the Chicago Board Options Exchange, joined with other civic-minded business and education leaders to form a scholarship program enabling low-income Chicago students to attend prominent private high schools. Although this was highly successful, they felt that too many students were still left behind. Charter schools seemed a promising avenue for educational improvement, so in 1997 Murphy and others founded CCSF, which operates the Chicago International Charter School, the only multi-campus school in Chicago, serving over 2,400 students.
The luncheon is at noon at the Tower Club, 39th floor, 20 N. Wacker Dr. The cost of the lunch and program is $35 for EDC members, $45 for nonmembers, and no charge for EDC corporate and sustaining members. Reservations are mandatory and are made by calling (773) 291-2121.
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