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
Annual Middle Grades Network Celebration of Learning
Join us to celebrate the remarkable work of our partner schools in the To&Through Middle Grades Network (MGN) at our annual celebration of learning. This virtual session will feature reflections from current partner schools on the process of testing change ideas and the impact of co-creating these ideas with their MGN Student Fellowship.
May Data Collaborative | Chi-Rise
Erin Estrada and Kate Cronin will present on Chi-Rise's use of program level student data and counselor insights to drive a rigorous college list building process during the 2025-26 academic year. This process brings together multiple quantitative and qualitative data sources across the program's Finance, Fit, Finish trajectory. Erin Estrada is the Chi Rise Program Officer at Crown Family Philanthropies, and Kate Cronin is the Data and Strategy Analyst at Crown Family Philanthropies.
To&Through 2025-26 Data Collaborative In-Person Celebration
Based on feedback from our brilliant Data Collaborative community, we want to create one opportunity during the year to bring our data community together in person. Whether you’ve been an active Data Collaborative member, presented or attended a session this year, or are simply curious about the work we’re doing, we’d love for you to join us for a collaborative gathering where you can:
Upcoming Events
Past Events
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.
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.
August Data Collaborative - Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative
Dr. Sarah Cashdollar will present IWERC’s research on access to dual credit coursework in the state of Illinois. Dr. Cashdollar is Associate Director of IWERC Research, Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative, University of Illinois.
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.
To&Through Data Collaborative: Chicago Scholars
Derrick Fleming and Alberto Morales will present how Chicago Scholars is working to improve male scholars' college graduation rates by building on their college access, success, and leadership development model and leveraging the expertise of other youth mentoring nonprofits. Derrick is the Managing Director of Strategic Engagement for Chicago Scholars and Alberto is the Founder of Morales Consulting.
Kegs and Cases: To&Through Learning and Networking Event
It’s been a long time since the To&Though Community has gotten together in person and we are excited to see you! Come to engage with our new qualitative data experience: Learning Cases! You’ll have the opportunity to read our newest learning case on post-secondary counseling and then discuss the tensions and questions it raises with peers. There will be time to network and catch up with friends and colleagues. First round is on us!
Research Spotlight: A New Paradigm for Funding Illinois Universities
Research spotlight: A New Paradigm for Funding Illinois Universities: After decades of funding cuts and no system for doling out state appropriations to universities, how can we rethink this process to provide the resources universities need to equitably serve students?
To&Through Data Collaborative: Western Illinois University
Justin Schuch will present on Western Illinois University's use of student data to inform their student support and retention strategies via their Connections Mapping Program. The approach brings together multiple data sets from throughout the institution focused on decisions students make during the early part of the semester. Justin is the Executive Director of Retention Initiatives at Western Illinois University.
Practice Spotlight: Chicago Public Schools Office of Equity
To engage in school-wide equity work, it is essential for educators to build common understanding of foundational equity concepts from the CPS Equity Framework. Join us on Tuesday May 9th, 2023 at Noon to hear from Chicago Public School’s Dr. Fatima Cooke, Chief Equity, Engagement, Strategy Officer and Evangelina (Eva) Covarrubias, Executive Director of the Office of Equity as they revisit core elements of the CPS Equity Framework such as the CPS definition of equity, Targeted Universalism, and Liberatory Thinking, and relates them to work within schools.