Chicago Public Schools’ Strategic Plan Receives Mixed Reviews
The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials’ new five-year strategic plan has received mixed reviews after they doubled down on supporting neighborhood schools, but shied away from more significant proposed changes to the school choice system that had caused a stir earlier this year.
Approval of the Strategic Plan
The Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Board of Education unanimously approved the strategic plan during a special board meeting on Wednesday at a South Side district office housed in a former school building. The meeting was held in the building’s auditorium, where CPS staff and dozens of parents and community members were invited to celebrate the plan’s approval.
Focus on Improving Neighborhood Schools
District and school board officials presented their vision and priorities for CPS decision-making moving forward – sometimes to loud applause. The plan focuses on improving neighborhood schools, pushing for all kids to pursue multilingualism, and measuring students’ and schools’ success in more areas than simply test scores.
Backtracking on School Choice System Changes
Officials did, however, back off from big changes to selective-enrollment, magnet, and charter schools, including any new policies affecting funding and the admissions process for those programs.
Reaction from Charter School Advocates
Andrew Broy, president of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, praised CPS and the board for a "modest step in the right direction." Charter advocates, leaders, and families had protested for months against a feared de-prioritization or even closure of their schools but felt "relief" this week, he said.
"I think they heard from a lot of charter parents and others about how important our schools are in the city, and the board finally recognized that," Broy said.
Disappointment from Some Parents
But some, like parent Cecilia Acevedo, were disappointed the strategic plan didn’t go further. Acevedo, who attended Wednesday’s meeting and celebration, said she wants less pressure on families to get into selective-enrollment schools and wanted to see that process reformed. Her children are still young, but she said she has heard the competition is intense.
"I hear it is not great, very stressful for students and parents as well," Acevedo said. "I think it conditions students to kind of measure their worth based on that outcome."
She said it was a shame that political backlash might have prevented CPS and the school board from addressing some issues.
"What doesn’t stir the pot?" she asked.
Criticism from Chicago Teachers Union
Chicago Teachers Union leaders acknowledged they like many elements of the district’s strategic plan. But they accused CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, who they’ve targeted with sharp criticism for more than two months, of "telling the people of Chicago one thing and actually doing another.
"The five-year plan includes many of our contract proposals, past and present — the very same proposals that the CEO claims the district can’t fund or doesn’t have the capacity to do," the CTU wrote in a letter to members and supporters.
Conclusion
The mixed reviews of the CPS strategic plan highlight the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding the school system in Chicago. While some parents and advocates are pleased with the focus on improving neighborhood schools, others are disappointed that the plan did not go further in addressing issues such as school choice and selective-enrollment.
FAQs
Q: What is the main focus of the CPS strategic plan?
A: The plan focuses on improving neighborhood schools, pushing for all kids to pursue multilingualism, and measuring students’ and schools’ success in more areas than simply test scores.
Q: What changes did the plan make to the school choice system?
A: The plan did not make significant changes to the school choice system, and instead, backed off from big changes to selective-enrollment, magnet, and charter schools.
Q: How did charter school advocates react to the plan?
A: Charter school advocates, including the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, praised the plan as a "modest step in the right direction" and felt "relief" that the plan did not include significant changes to charter schools.
Q: What did the Chicago Teachers Union say about the plan?
A: The CTU acknowledged that they like many elements of the plan but criticized CPS CEO Pedro Martinez for "telling the people of Chicago one thing and actually doing another."
