U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will visit Chicago’s Morton School of Excellence and observe its various afterschool programs as part of the Afterschool Alliance’s 12th annual “Lights On Afterschool” initiative taking place around the country on Thursday, Oct. 20. During brief remarks, Duncan will recognize the importance of afterschool programs and acknowledge organizations that support them. Chicago Public Schools CEO J.C. Brizard, Chicago Board of Education President David Vitale, Academy for Urban School Leadership Executive Director Donald Feinstein, Morton Principal Angel Turner, and various community partners are among the many participants joining the Secretary.
Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, “Lights On Afterschool” is the only nationwide rally for afterschool programs. It calls attention to the importance of afterschool programs and the resources required to keep them running. A significant body of research demonstrates that students who attend afterschool programs regularly are more likely to improve their grades, tests scores and overall academic behavior.