Improve educational outcomes and eliminate educational disparities on Chicago’s West Side.
In 2018, WSU organized over 400 internships. And in 2019, WSU is hoping to increase seats to reach 600. WSU has also noticed the need for educational support on the West Side and will offer programmatic supports to one West Side Elementary school by the year 2020.
In our metrics dashboard, we are tracking:
Third grade reading level is a predictor of other long-term educational outcomes, like middle school reading levels and even college attendance. Reading scores in third grade can indicate the quality of educational supports and longer term opportunity for youth. This measure shows the percent of third graders who are reading at or above the national average reading level
Unemployment is nearly 2 percentage points higher for adults who do not have a high school diploma compared to those who do. Completion of a high school degree is important for long term income growth and employment stability. This measure shows the percent of adults age 25 and older who have earned a high school diploma or equivalent.
The median monthly income for adults with an associates degree is nearly $500 higher compared to adults with a high school diploma and $1300 higher for those with a college degree. This measure shows the percent of adults age 25 and older who have earned an Associates degree or higher.

Karen Aguirre
Learn more about our initiatives: