Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that Chicago has won a highly competitive grant from IBM that will help raise Chicago’s high school and community college graduation rates and better prepare graduates to enter the 21st century work force. The grant will allow Chicago to prepare a business plan that will personalize education for students, allowing them to build necessary skill sets and put them at the front of the line for quality, high-paying jobs upon graduation.

“Our public schools and community colleges must prepare our young people for the jobs of the future,” said Mayor Emanuel. “This grant from IBM will help us match the education we provide our students with the needs and goals of a 21st century economy and will ensure that Chicago’s workforce continues to lead the world.”

Starting October 15, IBM will dispatch a team of technology consultants to Chicago for a three-month period funded by an IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant. The team will work with educators and city leaders to evaluate ways Chicago can better align its educational system with the needs of knowledge workers in the private sector, as well as enhance and integrate the high school and community college experiences. The program would be designed for implementation in five Chicago high schools by 2012.

IBM’s $50 million national grant program provides expert IBM advice to 100 progressive cities worldwide to help improve city services and quality of life. More information on IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge grant program can be found at http://smartercitieschallenge.org.