Welcome

Message from the President

Dear friend of ASPIRA:

As President and CEO, I am pleased to personally welcome you to ASPIRA Inc. of Illinois. In choosing ASPIRA as your place for schooling, leadership development, and/employment, you become part of the highly motivated and committed team of diverse
individuals who make up the ASPIRA network.

A major change is an unyielding emphasis on team efforts to ensure that students, faculty and parents remain in focus and centered, and in creating support systems for data driven decision-making supporting educational excellence. This is an exciting time. We are in a self-initiated transformation for quantum improvement in service to our youth, and are implementing new ideas and technology that enhance what we have been doing for 44 years.

Recent accomplishments include, curriculum development [e.g.: Reading & Math using Common Core Standards and the Understanding By Design Framework]; long term school leadership commitments; significantly larger educational staff; smaller class sizes; special emphasis and differentiation for students as appropriate; expanded professional development; and instructional coach learning community. Structural changes include incumbents in key positions, such as the Chief Academic Officer, Program Directors for Special Education, English Language Learners, and Data Analysis and Research, Controller, and General Counsel.
Recent activities include hosting a meeting of the Illinois Genocide Commission, a University Fair, and an AREYTO ceremony in which students pledge to leadership and service, the opening of our “Youth Build Program Facilities”, and many others, from “ISAT Prep Saturday Academy” to “College & University Tour”. Culture, language, and community will continue to be honored and fostered at ASPIRA.

Every indication is that our educational test performance scores will demonstrate significantly increases in the number of students meeting or exceeding state standards. Our friends, staff, and community are our most valuable asset. ASPIRA could not
accomplish what we do every day without you. We will strive to remain as responsive to you as much as we are to the thousands of youth and their families annually served.

Welcome aboard! I am delighted that you have decided to inquire about our pursuit of a
mission to empower the Puerto Rican and other disadvantaged youth in the Latino community through advocacy, education and leadership development.

Sincerely,
Aníbal L. Taboas
CEO