UIC teams with CPS, CCC for college pathway program
UIC teams with CPS, CCC for college pathway program
Chicago Public Schools, City Colleges of Chicago and the University of Illinois Chicago are expanding the nationally recognized higher education partnership with the launch of “Chicago Roadmap 2.0.”
This next phase is designed to ensure students have a seamless transition from high school to community college to four-year institutions — retaining earned credits, reducing barriers to transfer and keeping them on track for bachelor’s degree completion.
Partnership leaders announced the new program this week during an event held at Student Center West.
“Chicago Roadmap 2.0 is a game-changer for our students, ensuring that the credits they earn in high school and City Colleges transfer seamlessly and count fully toward a bachelor’s degree,” said CPS Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez. “By strengthening this pipeline, we are making higher education more accessible, affordable and attainable.”
Initiated through an unprecedented partnership between CPS and CCC in 2020, the Chicago Roadmap supports students along a path to and through college on the way to their chosen careers. The partnership ensures aligned academic standards, curriculum and postsecondary preparation to improve student success. So far, the partnership has yielded some extraordinary outcomes:
- Increased Early College enrollment for CPS students by 62%, adding nearly 4,000 more students who reflect the demographics of CPS — emphasizing the district’s commitment to eliminating opportunity gaps.
- Expanded access in 20 CPS schools to more in-demand hands-on career pathways in fields like tech, health care, manufacturing and construction.
- Expanded access to future career exploration for more than 3,000 middle and high school students annually, through Spotlight Days.
- Significantly increased career guidance by increasing postsecondary navigators from seven in 16 schools to 18 in 91 schools.