Introduction to the Black Student Success Plan
Chicago Public Schools is taking steps to get a long-awaited Black Student Success Committee underway, even as the Trump administration takes aim at initiatives that single out particular student groups for extra support.
Background and Challenges
The committee will monitor the Black Student Success Plan, which was unveiled in February, and was immediately hit with a legal challenge by a national group that has submitted legal complaints about race-based initiatives for years. CPS also is facing a federal investigation for alleged violations of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination, for its protections for transgender students.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
The Chicago Board of Education has vowed not to bend on its commitment to making sure curriculum and other programs center and protect its mostly Latino and Black students, despite the Trump administration’s threats to pull federal funding from school districts with diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Establishment of the Committee
The Board of Education voted at its meeting Thursday to appoint board member and longtime activist Jitu Brown as chairman of the committee. The law that created Chicago’s first elected school board called for the creation of the Black Student Success Committee. It was in response to a group of Black activists who came together to push to ensure fair representation for Black communities as the map was being drawn that defines the voting districts for the elected school board.
Purpose and Goals of the Committee
The activists also raised alarms about the progress of Black students in the district. In contentious meetings, they charged that the school district was not doing enough to improve outcomes for Black students, who lag behind other racial and ethnic groups on most academic metrics. Valerie Leonard, who has been recommended to serve on the committee, submitted testimony, saying she wanted the committee to use a scorecard to ensure it is meeting the goals detailed in the Black Student Success Plan. That plan calls for doubling the number of Black male teachers, improving Black teacher retention and reducing the number of out-of-school suspensions for Black students.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the establishment of the Black Student Success Committee is a crucial step towards addressing the disparities in academic outcomes for Black students in Chicago Public Schools. Despite the challenges and threats from the Trump administration, the committee is committed to implementing the Black Student Success Plan and ensuring that the district provides a supportive and inclusive environment for all students.
FAQs
What is the purpose of the Black Student Success Committee?
The Black Student Success Committee is established to monitor the implementation of the Black Student Success Plan, which aims to improve academic outcomes for Black students in Chicago Public Schools.
What are the goals of the Black Student Success Plan?
The plan calls for doubling the number of Black male teachers, improving Black teacher retention, and reducing the number of out-of-school suspensions for Black students.
Why is the Trump administration threatening to pull federal funding from school districts with diversity, equity and inclusion programs?
The Trump administration has taken aim at initiatives that single out particular student groups for extra support, citing concerns about discrimination and unequal treatment.
Who is the chairman of the Black Student Success Committee?
The Board of Education voted to appoint board member and longtime activist Jitu Brown as chairman of the committee.
How will the committee ensure that it is meeting its goals?
The committee plans to use a scorecard to track its progress and ensure that it is meeting the goals detailed in the Black Student Success Plan.
