School Board Candidates Talk Diverse Learning, Quantum Careers At Southeast Side Forum
Quantum Career Pipeline
With a quantum computing campus planned for the former South Works steel mill — anchored by startup PsiQuantum, and with major political and financial backing from the state and city — candidates were asked how they’d ensure local students can access careers on the campus.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and city officials have pledged to work with CPS and institutions of higher education to create more paths for South Siders to enter the quantum computing industry.
Parrott-Sheffer said the community needs "tougher contracts and stronger conversations" with the campus project’s backers, which would push the developers and tenants to play a major role in building a quantum career pipeline.
"Read More: [Link to Full Forum Video]"
Neurodiverse Students’ Needs
One attendee asked the candidates how the board should meet the needs of neurodiverse students, meaning kids with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other differences in learning and thinking.
Parrott-Sheffer, who said he’s the parent of a child with a disability and the guardian of an adult with a disability, said the district must gather direct input from neurodiverse students to ensure equitable education.
Parrott-Sheffer also criticized the speed at which teachers are required to learn their annual curricula, saying two weeks "is not enough time to plan" how they’ll respond to their students’ unique needs.
Smith, who said his son had an individualized education program in school, said athletics, arts, and other extracurricular activities are necessary resources for neurodiverse students.
Multilingual Education
Another attendee asked how the candidates would support multilingual education in District 10, which includes communities with large Spanish-speaking populations.
Parrott-Sheffer called for more "two-way," dual-language schools where "all classes are taught in English and Spanish." Every teacher citywide should also be certified in English as a Second Language or bilingual education, he said.
Smith said teachers’ professional development must go beyond English and Spanish to include other languages common in Chicago, like Arabic and Polish. He also pitched immersion programs where schools can encourage community members to share music, food, and other cultural markers with each other.
Norington-Reaves proposed "dual-language programming" in schools. For example, kindergarten through third grade could be taught in students’ primary languages, fourth grade would be a mix of their primary language and English, and their remaining instruction would be in English, she said.
Will They Meet with Southeast Siders?
Parrott-Sheffer, Smith, and Norington-Reaves all pledged to meet with Southeast Side groups like Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, Alliance of the Southeast, Claretian Associates, and others to respond to community concerns during their first 100 days in office, if elected.
