Chicago establishing technology-focused schools

Chicago Public Schools, the City of Colleges of Chicago and five technology giants are joining to open six-year high schools that will offer students who graduate an associate degree and the knowledge needed to qualify for technology jobs.

Curricula at five new programs will be developed by IBM, Cisco, Microsoft, Motorola Solutions and Verizon. The companies will also mentor students, provide internships and guarantee students who graduate the program a “first-in-line” job interview.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Tuesday the five science, technology, engineering and math schools will help students learn under the guidance of some of the fastest-growing technology corporations.

The schools will be open to 1,000 students in their first year. CPS officials say there won’t be “no selective admissions criteria” for the five new schools.