In December, we sounded the alarm when CPS’ board adopted a vision to transition away from public school options. But Chicago parents stepped up and spoke out. This morning, the Chicago School Board called a Special Board meeting to pass their five-year strategic plan for CPS schools that calls for “supporting schools across multiple models, including neighborhood schools, selective enrollment, magnet, charter, and other programming options that meet the needs of our students and their communities.”
In our January poll, we found that 82% of Chicago voters and 86% of Chicago parents believe families in CPS should be able to choose the public school that best meets their student’s needs, whether that’s their neighborhood school, a school in another neighborhood, or a magnet, selective enrollment, or charter school.
The five-year plan includes many other equity-centered positive goals: an ambitious expansion of access to early college credits and career credentials for high schoolers, curbing high rates of absenteeism for our youngest learners, boosting the number of students who can read proficiently by third grade, a steep reduction in out-of-school suspensions and expulsions for students of color, and expansion of dual language programs.
We are optimistic that the Board was responsive to community input, and we look forward to continuing our fight for equitable access to education for all Illinois students.
P.S. – Keep in mind the board that adopted this plan is not the board that will implement it. CPS School Board elections are coming! Early voting starts October 3.
