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Community Involvement

Level-(1) partners with new technology school

(Chicago) – In keeping with its commitment to support education and technological advancements in underserved communities, Level-(1) Global Solutions has formed a corporate partnership with the Chicago Academy for Advanced Technology www.chicagotechacademy.org (CAAT), a new Chicago public school created specifically to prepare students for college and careers in technology.

CAAT, located in the former Austin High School building at 231 N. Pine St., on Chicago’s West Side, aligns education with industry needs and standards to build a talent pipeline so businesses can remain competitive. The curriculum is focused on science, technology, engineering and math skills and students learn how to apply what they’ve learned through real-world problem-solving, job shadowing and internship opportunities.

CAAT students receive daily performance assessments and teachers are required to adjust the curriculum accordingly to ensure that every student is able to master the industry standards-based objectives.

“What appealed to me is the fact that CAAT’s curriculum is tied to industry standards and business needs. But I also love that its teachers are held accountable for student performance and are required to change the way they teach to accommodate the way each child learns, so that no one gets glossed over. We can’t afford to leave even one child behind,” said Thomas D. McElroy II, principal of Level-(1). “Math and engineering skills are sorely needed today, and education that encourages entrepreneurship and problem-solving skills are lacking in Chicago’s poorest communities. CAAT represents an opportunity to support education that is directly tied to good-paying jobs and improves our nation’s global competitiveness.”

Corporate partners such as Level-(1) will advise school officials on the latest technologies and trends, provide mentoring and internship opportunities and may even one day hire CAAT students for entry-level or managerial positions. CAAT is a project of the Center for Polytechnical Education (CPE), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen communities through educational programs that prepare students to be leaders in the 21st century knowledge economy. CPE opened its first school, Austin Polytechnical Academy, with a curriculum focused on high-level, technology-driven careers in manufacturing, in fall 2007.

Community Involvement

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