The mission of CPS is to provide a high-quality public education for every child in every neighborhood that prepares them for success in college, career, and civic life. While CPS has made efforts to address long-standing racial inequities in education, Black students continue to suffer from historic and persistent gaps in educational opportunities and outcomes. In order to address the systemic inequities that have stood in the way of Black student achievement, CPS is committed to co-creating a Black Student Success Plan incorporating the voices of stakeholders.
Black Student Success Working Group
Forming of draft recommendations for the plan is underway with the Black Student Success Working Group, which convenes students, parents, educators, school and District leaders, researchers, community-based organizations, labor, and city and state partners. This group includes many individuals and organizations who have been focused on the work of Black student success for decades. By honoring their past work and drawing on their expertise, we can create the best plan possible for Black students at CPS.
The Black Student Success Working Group will provide recommendations to the CEO and Board of Education to be included in the Black Student Success Plan. This plan will be an important component of the District's new five-year strategic plan, which will be presented to the Board of Education for approval in Summer 2024.
Working Group Recommendations
After months of study and robust public engagement, the members of the Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) Black Student Success Working Group (BSSWG), are sharing initial recommendations. These recommendations serve as a first step toward developing a Black Student Success Plan that will set the vision and action steps to better support Black students over the next several years.
Working Group Timeline, Meeting Materials & Resources
| Session | Date/Time | Location | Deck | Resources Shared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12/13/2023 5:30 PM | Dyett HS | Slides | |
| 2 | 1/11/2024 5:30 PM | Dyett HS | Slides | |
| 3 | 1/23/2024 5:30 PM | CPS Garfield Park Offices | Slides | |
| 4 | 2/6/2024 5:30 PM | Virtual | Slides | BSS Opportunity Statements Synthesis |
| 4.5 | 2/17/2024 10:00 AM | Virtual | Slides | Virtual Packet |
| 5 | 2/27/2024 5:30 PM | Marshall HS | Slides | Handout Packet |
| 6 | 4/2/2024 5:30 PM | Englewood STEM HS | Slides | |
| 7 | 4/16/2024 5:30 PM | Englewood STEM HS | Slides |
Community Roundtables
CPS hosted seven community roundtables to listen to communities about current challenges and recommended solutions. We heard input directly from community members, which will be incorporated into the Black Student Success Plan. Browse the Community Roundtable materials below, and view a recording of the virtual Roundtable held on March 19, 2024.
Materials
Roundtable Venues
March 12 - Northside (Uptown)
Uplift Community High School
March 13 - Southside (Englewood)
Kennedy King College
March 14 - Westside (North Lawndale/ West Humboldt Park/ Garfield Park)
Beidler Elementary
March 15 - Southeast Side
CVCA
March 19 - Virtual
March 19 - Far Southside
Corliss High School
March 20 - Southside (Bronzeville/Hyde Park)
Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts
March 21 - Far Westside (Austin)
Michele Clark Magnet High School
Frequently Asked Questions
Focus Groups
We hosted specialized focus groups with students, families and staff to better understand the experiences, needs, and successes of our students. Read what was discussed.
Students - February 5th, 2024
Parents/Community - Feb. 1, 2024 - 3 Sessions
School Leaders - Jan. 29, 2024, Feb. 8, 2024 - 3 Sessions
Teachers/Staff - Jan 30, 2024 - 3 Sessions, Feb 7, 2024 - 3 Sessions