U.S. Department of Education: Promoting Educational Excellence for all Americans
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Secretary Arne Duncan Visits Chicago (April 14, 2009)
See caption below.
Secretary Arne Duncan participates in a press conference at Andrew Jackson Language Academy in Chicago, Il., with Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott to talk about how the Recovery Act is going to help students and schools in Illinois. “The $100 billion the federal government has decided to invest in education presents us with a historic opportunity to avoid catastrophic cuts in teaching positions and learning programs,” said Duncan. “We also have a chance to move beyond the status quo and invest in innovative programs that work. I look forward to seeing Illinois become a national leader in using stimulus funds to save jobs and push for education reform.” Illinois is expected to receive $3 billion in education funding from the Recovery Act, including $1 billion to support operations and innovative programs at schools such as the Andrew Jackson Language Academy.


Secretary Arne Duncan visits with staff in the Department's Chicago Regional Office. Secretary Arne Duncan visits with staff in the Department's Chicago Regional Office.
Secretary Arne Duncan visits with staff in the Department's Chicago Regional Office. Secretary Arne Duncan is greeted by students at Andrew Jackson Language Academy, a magnet school in Chicago, Il., that provides world language instruction as an integral part of the basic program for students in grades K through 8. Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese and Chinese are taught at the school. The goals of the program are to provide the opportunity for proficiency in another language, create the potential for a 13-year sequence in a single language for students who begin foreign language in kindergarten, and facilitate an expanded awareness and appreciation of the ethnically and racially diverse population in the U.S.
Secretary Arne Duncan is greeted by Principal Matthew Ditto at Andrew Jackson Language Academy, in Chicago, Il. The school opened in 1894 to teach English to the sons and daughters of Italian immigrants. By 1909, students of Italian descent were still in the majority, but Russian, Irish, Greek, German and French children also attended the school. With the passing of decades, a new wave of immigration began and the immigrants were from Mexico. Since 1981, Jackson School has offered a world language program to children throughout Chicago. Today, students are able to learn Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese and Spanish. The world language curriculum emphasizes communication as well as geography, history and the culture of the respective nations. Secretary Arne Duncan participates in a press conference at Andrew Jackson Language Academy in Chicago, Il., with Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott to talk about how the Recovery Act is going to help students and schools in Illinois.
Secretary Arne Duncan participates in a press conference at Andrew Jackson Language Academy in Chicago, Il., with Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott to talk about how the Recovery Act is going to help students and schools in Illinois. Secretary Arne Duncan participates in a press conference at Andrew Jackson Language Academy in Chicago, Il., with Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott to talk about how the Recovery Act is going to help students and schools in Illinois.
Secretary Arne Duncan hears from students at Jackson Language Academy, a K-8 magnet school in Chicago, Il., specializing in world languages. About 550 students representing diverse racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds attend Andrew Jackson. Teachers and staff guide and assist students as they prepare for opportunities and careers of the twenty-first century. Secretary Arne Duncan hears from students at Jackson Language Academy, a K-8 magnet school in Chicago, Il., specializing in world languages. About 550 students representing diverse racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds attend Andrew Jackson. Teachers and staff guide and assist students as they prepare for opportunities and careers of the twenty-first century.

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Last Modified: 04/17/2009