The To&Through Project’s events are intended for a diverse cross-section of education leaders and partners from the K-12, higher education, nonprofit, and civic communities. Presenters and panelists come together to share new research findings as well as share ideas and strategies for helping Chicago’s under-resourced students succeed in high school and college. The To&Through Project also hosts monthly Data Collaboratives designed to elevate and promote dialogue around new and emerging work focused on applying data to youth development efforts. You can watch recordings of our previous events on YouTube.
Events
Featured Events
September Data Collaborative - UtmostU
Shayna Balting (Data Narrator) and David Bennett (Assoc ED) will present on UtmostU’s use of monthly college student survey data to shape post-secondary coach interventions as part a larger system of post-secondary supports. The UtmostU network supports 16 schools and CBO’s, and over 1,000 Chicago-area college students through a shared tech platform, community learning, and resource collaboration.
Annual Update on the Educational Attainment of CPS Students
On Thursday, October 12th, 2023 at 12pm, the To&Through Project and UChicago Consortium will share their newest report on the 2022 Educational Attainment of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Students, which highlights the success of CPS students pursuing college degrees and opportunities gaps that still exist to make college success an accessible option for all CPS students.
To&Through Research Spotlight: The State of Adolescent Mental Health
As students re-enter school buildings this fall, we know that mental health challenges are on the rise for adolescents and we need to show up to support the well-being of young people in our communities. Dr. Jorge Verlenden (Behavioral Health Scientist at the Division of Adolescent and School Health at the CDC) will share the CDC's latest research on the current state of mental health for adolescents in the United States and in Chicago, including disparities in mental health within specific student populations.
Upcoming Events
September Data Collaborative - UtmostU
Shayna Balting (Data Narrator) and David Bennett (Assoc ED) will present on UtmostU’s use of monthly college student survey data to shape post-secondary coach interventions as part a larger system of post-secondary supports. The UtmostU network supports 16 schools and CBO’s, and over 1,000 Chicago-area college students through a shared tech platform, community learning, and resource collaboration.
To&Through Research Spotlight: The State of Adolescent Mental Health
As students re-enter school buildings this fall, we know that mental health challenges are on the rise for adolescents and we need to show up to support the well-being of young people in our communities. Dr. Jorge Verlenden (Behavioral Health Scientist at the Division of Adolescent and School Health at the CDC) will share the CDC's latest research on the current state of mental health for adolescents in the United States and in Chicago, including disparities in mental health within specific student populations.
Annual Update on the Educational Attainment of CPS Students
On Thursday, October 12th, 2023 at 12pm, the To&Through Project and UChicago Consortium will share their newest report on the 2022 Educational Attainment of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Students, which highlights the success of CPS students pursuing college degrees and opportunities gaps that still exist to make college success an accessible option for all CPS students.
October Data Collaborative - Black Researchers Collective
Dr. Glenance Green and Shari Runner will present on the Black Researchers Collective's efforts to train and equip communities with the research tools to be more civically engaged and policy informed. Glenance and Shari are the co-founders of the Black Researcher Collective.
Inquiry and Action Workshop: To&Through Milestones Tool
Join the To&Through team as we explore new 2022 data on our To&Through Milestone Tool! This 90-minute in-person workshop will allow participants to explore the To&Through Milestone Tool and learn how the data can be used to inform the support efforts of Chicago Public Schools students on their paths to high school and college completion.
November Data Collaborative - T&T Student Stories
The To&Through Project team will present on their expansion of the Student Stories initiative. These stories aim to humanize quantitative To&Through findings by zooming in on individual CPS student journeys to highlight the successes, challenges, and complexities that exist across the many post secondary pathways chosen by CPS graduates.
Research Release: The Finishing in Four Years Fallacy: 4-year versus 6-year
On the Dec 5th, 2023 at 2pm join the To&Through Project and UChicago Consortium for the release of a new research brief and student stories series focused on CPS graduates' time to college completion.
December Data Collaborative - Embarc Post Secondary Team
Thomas Goodwin (Director of Data & Analytics) and Frank Miller (Lead Postsecondary Success Coach) will provide a presentation highlighting their utilization of Postsecondary Success (PSS) metrics, including non-college options, to drive and enhance Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) outcomes. Additionally, they will explore the reciprocal relationship between SEL measures and the enhancement of the PSS curriculum.
Past Events
Building Your Data Story: To&Through Tool Workshop
This 90-minute virtual workshop will allow participants to explore the To&Through Milestone Tool and learn how the data on the tool can be used to craft data stories that can help articulate equity opportunities, inform responses to the data, and communicate strategies to take action. Whether you’re familiar with the Milestones Tools and want to take your data practice to the next level or are brand new to the Tools, this session is for you.
To&Through Data Collaborative: Praxis Institute
Fausto Lopez and Joshua Prudowsky will present on the Praxis Institute's evaluation of 2022 One Summer Chicago an enrichment youth programming, where nearly 25,000 Chicago youth participated with in-person programming for the first time in two years. Their presentation will focus on Praxis Institute's efforts to democratize evaluation for nearly 100 community-based organizations, their continuous quality improvement process, and lessons learned. Fausto is the Co-Founder of the Praxis Institute and Josh serves as the Director of Program Development & Impact.
Annual Update on the Educational Attainment of CPS Students
On February 9th, 2023 at Noon CST, the To&Through Project and UChicago Consortium will share their newest report on the 2021 Educational Attainment of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Students. Researchers will provide a picture of educational attainment during the 2020-2021 school year for students of different race/ethnicity groups, students who began as English Learners, and students with disabilities. Presenters include Jenny Nagaoka, Deputy Director of the UChicago Consortium on School Research, and Shelby Mahaffie, Research Analyst II at the To&Through Project.
(UPDATE) To&Through Data Collaborative: Matt Muench - P33
Matt Muench will present on the TechChicago Equity Index, Chicagoland's first effort to understand the full picture of what it will take to make Chicago the most inclusive tech city in the country. Matt is the Chief Impact Officer at P33.
Data Spotlight - Cultivate: Exploring Student Mindsets Through Survey
Join us for a presentation on the Cultivate Survey with Camille Farrington, Director of the Equitable Learning & Development Group at the UChicago Consortium, and Elliot Ransom, Co-CEO of UChicago Impact, as they share a new survey being used across CPS called Cultivate.
To&Through Data Collaborative: The To&Through Project
The To&Through Project team will present on their expanded use of qualitative data and efforts to develop qualitative resources, such as case studies, to inform Chicago practitioners' understanding of college access and success for CPS students.
The Case for Making Chicago’s Selective High Schools and Colleges Less Selective
Join us for a thought-provoking look at studies on selectivity in high school and colleges with University of Chicago To&Through Project Director Alex Seeskin. He will dive deep into existing research and discuss implications for school districts and higher education institutions.
Centering Equity in Organizational Change
Join us for an online panel discussion featuring Rito Martinez, Co-Director of the Truth, Healing, and Equity Fellowship (T.H.E. Fellowship) and Jacquelyn Lemon, CEO of NewRoot Learning Institute. The panel discussion will focus on approaches to beginning and sustaining equity-centered change efforts in organizations that aim to better serve young people of color.
To&Through Data Collaborative: Inclusive Economy Lab and Moneythink
Dr. Chimare Eaglin, Portfolio Manager at the UChicago Inclusive Economy Lab, and Hannah Smith, Director of Education Partnerships at Moneythink, will present on how they are supporting financial literacy and knowledge of college affordability best practices for interns participating in the Milgrom Social Justice Fellowship.
Practice Spotlight: How Meaningful Work Can Improve Middle Grades Outcomes
The To&Through Middle Grades Network (MGN) works to create educational environments where middle schools thrive. Join us to learn about how our MGN partner schools Brighton Park Elementary and Columbia Explorers Academy used a focus on meaningful work to create learning conditions that better meet the needs of their students.