Cristo Rey Network to Pilot New Math Assessments and Instructional Tools Linked to Student Learning

CHICAGO — February 18, 2010 — The Cristo Rey Network is pleased to announce a $149,733 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the organization’s participation in the Mathematics Assessment for Learning Project. Launched by the foundation to increase college readiness for high school students, the Project will help prepare Cristo Rey Network schools to use new mathematic assessments to guide classroom learning.

The math assessment project is part of a much larger Network-wide strategic plan, the Educational Enrichment Initiative (EEI), which is focused on supporting quality academic outcomes. Recently deployed, the Initiative ensures that each graduate of a Cristo Rey Network school is prepared for college success.

“The Project could not be more timely for our work,” said Elizabeth Goettl, Chief Academic Officer of the Cristo Rey Network. “We are deeply committed to assessment for learning - to support teachers in using assessment data to guide instruction which maximizes learning for every student.”

Each of the EEI Self-Selected Leader Schools in the Cristo Rey Network will participate in the Project, including:

• Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Cristo Rey Kansas City High School, Kansas City, Missouri
• Cristo Rey New York High School, New York, New York
• De La Salle North Catholic High School, Portland, Oregon
• St. Martin De Porres High School, Waukegan, Illinois
• San Miguel High School, Tucson, Arizona
• Verbum Dei High School, Los Angeles, California

“The Network’s aim is to complete the design of interim assessments and performance assessments in every discipline,” Goettl continues. “The professional development obtained through the Project will be extended and applied to other curriculum disciplines as we design a comprehensive set of assessments for every course and subject over the next two years.”