Boeing

Boeing Chairman and CEO Phil Condit served today as "Principal for a Day" at George Armstrong School for International Studies, a Chicago Public School. Condit used paper airplanes to teach a seventh grade science class about "How Things Fly." An engineer by training, Condit worked hands-on with students to explain science theories, such as gravity and lift, and how they make things fly. "Principal for a Day" is a Chicago Public Schools' annual initiative designed to help business and community leaders become more familiar with public education issues.

"Our commitment to public education is an investment in our future. Our company depends on schools to help the next generation of engineers, scientists, and technicians take their first steps into a world-class workforce," Condit told students.

Following Principal for a Day activities, Condit joined City of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley to announce Boeing's contribution of more than $1 million to Chicago-based education partnerships. Boeing has a longstanding commitment to public education, especially K-12 initiatives.

• Many principals across the country are slated for retirement over the next five years, while enrollments are increasing and pressure for improved performance is growing. New Leaders for New Schools launched a K-12 training program in conjunction with Chicago Public Schools to better prepare future principals. Boeing is the first major corporate partner with New Leaders in Chicago.
  During a year-long residency program, educators take specialized management courses, receive hands-on leadership training, and are paired with business mentors. Ten top-level Boeing executives will serve as personal mentors. Condit will serve as mentor to Daniel Kramer of Armstrong School, where he visited today. Members of Boeing's Office of the Chairman will also be engaged as mentors to the next generation of school principals.

• Boeing's partnership with the Academy for Urban School Leadership will focus on teacher development. The Academy's sole mission is to improve student achievement in Chicago Public Schools by attracting, training and retaining exceptional teachers and school leaders. Teachers-in-training are partnered with an accomplished mentor-teacher for one year.
  This year, more than 30 new college graduates and career-changers will begin the residency program, which emphasizes instructional practices and change management. The teacher-residents will be placed in a post-residency position with continued professional support for five years. Residents agree to spend five years following their completion of the program teaching in Chicago.

• The Young Women's Leadership Charter School of Chicago (YWLCS) provides girls with a college preparatory education and works to inspire them to excel in math, science and technology -- areas in which women, and particularly women of color, are underrepresented. YWLCS prepares students in four key areas: academic achievement; career and college preparation; leadership development; and personal and social development. High school girls apply their skills through internships in Chicago businesses and are matched with professional women mentors.

• YWLCS' approach to assessment is unique, measuring proficiency in subjects without giving traditional grades. In order to help make this system really work, Boeing is supporting the development of a unique Internet system that will give students, teachers and, most important, parents access to up-to-the-minute proficiency reports at the click of a mouse from home or a school-networked computer. In addition, a team of Boeing technology experts will leverage their talent as advisors on the project -- ensuring that the school has access to corporate executives who have experience managing and protecting data.

Boeing will continue its multi-year investments in After School Matters and The Chicago Public Education Fund announced earlier this year. After School Matters -- a collaborative effort among Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Park District -- is dedicated to engaging Chicago's teenage youth in high-quality, hands-on activities with caring adults in the out-of-school hours. The Chicago Public Education Fund is a venture capital effort for public education designed to improve school leadership and student achievement.

"These investments all represent strategic and collaborative partnerships," said Toni Bailey, vice president of community and education relations. "Our philosophy toward citizenship involves more than financial support; it focuses on programs directed to systemic change in education," emphasized Bailey. The priority areas for Boeing's citizenship initiatives are education, health and human services, culture and arts, civic affairs and the environment.

Education is the largest commitment area for Boeing in the community and among its employees. Last year, through the company's Lifelong Learning Program, more than 30,000 Boeing employees took college courses at company expense; employees also receive Boeing stock when they complete a degree. Additionally, every Boeing manager attends a residential leadership development program at the Boeing Leadership Center in St. Louis.

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