Ana Avendano

Asset Map
Presentation
Services for Students with Learning Disabilities in Pilsen
 The Problem

AsCPS finds itself facing a growing deficit, more and more

cuts are being made to special education programs
Special education spending this year is more than $923
million, more than 15 percent of the districts entire budget
Affects
students who are already at a disadvantage, in
communities such as Pilsen
Pilsen
has a high number of ELL students, which, when
combined with learning disabilities, makes it very hard for
students to succeed
This can itself become a disability
 http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/01/24/critics-say-cps-cutting-special-ed-services-save-money

These Cuts Especially Affect Pilsen

 Institutions
BLUE1647
Innovation
CCC
Community Arturo
Associations Velasquez
Pilsen Institute Pilsen
Wellness
Academy
Center
El Valor 25th
Center Ward
Pilsen
Neighbors
Community Parents
Council Para
professio Individuals
nals

Asset Map
Teachers
Individuals
Parents

Itis hard for parents in low-income households to gain

access to educational material on learning disabilities.
Because of this, it might also be hard for them to
identify and acknowledge their childs needs. However,
parents are an asset because they are the largest group
vouching for students rights. They can also be the
loudest. They are an asset in advocating for reform in
CPS, and will only become more present as the situation
in public schools worsens.
Teachers

Teachersare the ones that work closest to students with

learning disabilities. Because of this, they are the ones
that understand their needs the best and are therefore
the most qualified to speak to where funds should be
allocated. Teachers can also educate parents on the
subject of learning disabilities and suggest where to find
resources.
Paraprofessionals

Because of budget cuts, CPS classrooms are often

crowded with 30+ kids all under the responsibility of
one teacher. Paraprofessionals act as teachers aides in
these situations and provide attention to the students
that need it the most. Unfortunately, Paraprofessionals
are often the first to get cut as CPS deficit grows. Yet,
they are still an invaluable asset while at school and can
help spread awareness outside of school.
Community Associations
El Valor Center

ElValor is one of the first preschool programs in Chicago

to integrate children with emotional or physical
disabilities in classes with children without disability. It
prepares children with disabilities for public elementary
school and educates the parents on their needs.
Because of its location in Pilsen, it offers bilingual
programs as well. This center is an asset because of the
accessibility it provides. As the budget situation with
CPS worsens this center will have to act as a model and
resource for others to open throughout Chicago.
Pilsen Wellness Center

ThePilsen Wellness Center offers the Latino Youth High

School program. Teens with learning disabilities are
more likely to drop out and wind up in prison than their
peers. It is easier for them to give up on school because
they do not get the resources they need. This program
allows teens and young adults a second chance at
earning a diploma. This is an asset because it prevents
teens with learning disabilities from becoming just
another statistic. They could collaborate with
neighborhood schools to reach out to at-risk kids.
Pilsen Neighbors Community Council

Thiscouncil has a Pilsen Education Task Force division

that works with the community to educate parents
about schools and higher education. Every year they
hold an Education Summit with the goal of creating a
path of education for area residents from birth through
college. One thing they could do to become a greater
asset for this specific issue is to introduce the topic of
learning disabilities at their summit and provide
resources for parents.
Institutions
Pilsen Academy

PilsenAcademy, the local public school, offers many

programs besides suffering from intensive budget cuts.
They offer a tutoring program, however, it is very
limited as it only offers tutoring on select subjects at
certain times. They could expand their tutoring or hold
an after school homework help program by reaching out
to parents or college students to help as volunteers in
order to become a greater asset. They could also
partner with community organizations that offer after
school programs and provide transportation for students
to and from those programs.
CCC Arturo Velasquez Institute

Thislocal community college provides the training that

people need to become paraprofessionals; it is an asset
because it provides the community with the resources
to acquire the skills needed to overcome barriers. In
order to increase awareness of the fact that aides are
needed in increasingly crowded classrooms, they could
increase advertising about the program and provide
more education specific scholarships. Yet, it is often the
case that there is a bigger lack of funding to hire
paraprofessionals than there is a lack of
paraprofessionals.
25th Ward Office

Theyare an asset because they get a direct say in

funding opportunities for CPS. Recently, the 25th ward
alderman Danny Solis, along with a few others,
proposed that excess TIF (Tax Increment Financing)
funds be donated to CPS. Although controversial, this
has given CPS over $1 billion over the past decade. In
order to continue to be an asset the 25th Ward Alderman
needs to continue ensuring that education is a priority.
Innovation
BLUE1647

BLUE1647 is a space that serves two main purposes: to

provide aspace for tech startups to grow, and to serve
as a learning lab for students. They partner with local
high schools to run programs that connect technology
to the classroom. Non-traditional learning and
innovation can prove to be a window of opportunity for
kids with learning disabilities.
Assistivetechnology has proven to be effective in
helping kids with disabilities. It also offsets the cost of
hiring more staff to work individually with kids. Tech
startups can help the community link technology and
education.
Action Plan

One way that these assets could work together is by having the Ward
continue to advocate for excess TIF funding to be donated to CPS
schools in the area. With this money the school could invest in
computers and more technology resources that could benefit both
students with disabilities and without. BLUE1647 could also donate
some of their old equipment. Moreover, BLUE1647 could work with tech
startups to create programs that specifically aid kids with disabilities as
a way of giving back to the community. These programs could benefit
both the local public schools, the wellness center second chance
program and the CCC Arturo Velasquez Institute. They could also
assemble an after-school tech program taught by volunteers for kids
that are underserved in a traditional classroom setting. Schools can also
create a parent association made up of parents of kids with disabilities
so that they can share resources, support each other, and advocate for
their collective needs.
Action Plan

Elvalor and the Community Council can get together

not only hold workshops on college, which is the
councils focus, but also on focusing on the journey from
preschool to college for kids with disabilities. The road
to college starts with preschool, after all. They can raise
awareness about how to identify learning disabilities
and how to help kids cope with those at home.
Sources

https://www.accessliving.org/1410ga280

http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/01/24/critics-say-cps-cutting
-special-ed-services-save-money
http://pilsenneighbors.org/our-work/pilsen-education-summit/

http://www.pilsenwellnesscenter.org/services/education-services/

http://pilsen.cps.edu/community/programs/

http://ward25.com/tax-incremental-financing-district-tif/

http://chicagoinno.streetwise.co/2015/05/01/under-the-hood-how-te
ch-is-changing-chicagos-pilsen-neighborhood/

http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/assistive-technology-for-kid
s-with-learning-disabilities-an-overview/