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Superintendent
School District U-46
355 E. Chicago Street
Elgin, IL 60120
Bus. Phone: (847) 888-5000
Representing: MIDWEST REGION |
Dr. Jose M. Torres has seven core beliefs:
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Students learn what they’re taught and rise to the level of our expectations;
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Parents are our partners;
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To improve instruction, we need to improve teaching and learning through professional development;
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Positive behavior supports instruction—behavior like academics is taught;
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Teachers working together on data analysis accelerate student performance;
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Leadership and accountability are at every level of the organization; and,
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Every member of the community shares the responsibility for successful schools.
Dr. Jose M. Torres currently serves as a Regional Superintendent (Area Instruction Officer) for Area 14 in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) where he oversees 26 schools with over 14,000 students (98 percent African American and 93 percent free and reduced lunch) serving 5 communities (Englewood, West Englewood, Chatham, Grand Crossing, Auburn Gresham). Dr. Torres is responsible for a budget of over $104 million. In his time at CPS, Dr. Torres has improved ISAT composite scores in reading, math, and science in grades 3 through 8 by 18 percentage points. He also partnered with the New Teacher Center at the University of California – Santa Cruz to implement a full induction model to support beginning teachers. As a result, CPS’ Area 14 was able to retain 78 out of 82 new teachers during the first year of implementation.
In Anne Arundel County Maryland, Dr. Torres saw dramatic results in academic achievement among all students in both reading and mathematics during his tenure as Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services for Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland. In his role as Assistant Superintendent for a district with over 120 schools and 75,000 students, he oversaw a budget of more than $135 million and was responsible for the special education, alternative education, pupil services and the human relations departments. Increases in academic achievement, coupled with decreases in student discipline and special education placements, were possible because of the strong partnerships created between parents, teachers, staff, community members, the business community, social service agencies, faith-based organizations, and local elected officials.
Before joining the Anne Arundel district, Dr. Torres was Superintendent of the San Ysidro School District near the Mexico/California border in San Diego County. Dr. Torres also served as a human relations specialist in Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, as a coordinator in the Baltimore City Public Schools in Maryland, and as an associate superintendent of instructional services for the San Jose Unified School District in California.
Dr. Torres is a 2005 Broad Fellow and holds a Bachelor of General Studies, a Master of Education and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration from the University of Maryland. Dr. Torres has three children ages 21, 20, and 18. He enjoys biking, listening to music, and reading.