Our Process of Change
Engagement
As part of the accountability redesign process, CPS engaged more than 20,000 stakeholders to reimagine our approach to accountability.
Development
During the development stage of the process, CPS set out to redefine and redesign the District’s existing accountability system, SQRP.
Implementation
As a part of passing the new CIDT policy in April of 2023, the Board of Education and the District laid out a timeline for fully implementing the new policy.
Accountability Redesign Process
In 2019, the District decided to redesign its school accountability system to be more equitable, stakeholder-driven, and better reflect the realities of schools.
Responding to a Need
CPS is committed to measuring student and school performance, and the District's previous school accountability system, School Quality Rating Policy (SQRP), was a national example on how to use data to inform school communities. However, through robust engagement, we heard that SQRP can be improved to better account for systemic inequities and optimized to support critical aspects of the District's work. In response, the District partnered with our communities to develop a new system to better serve schools and the District.
Engaging Our Stakeholders
In accordance with CPS’ Core Values of Equity, Integrity, and Transparency, the District assembled a diverse group of stakeholders and experts to form an Accountability Redesign Advisory Group. The Advisory Group was tasked with learning about accountability best practices, hearing potential solutions to key questions about accountability design, processing stakeholder feedback, and synthesizing all of this information into clear recommendations for the District.
Engaging Our Communities
The accountability redesign work that took place between 2019 and 2023 engaged tens of thousands of stakeholders, consulted with education experts, and ultimately reimagined the District’s approach to accountability.
Creating a New Approach to Accountability
The Continuous Improvement and Data Transparency policy that has replaced SQRP improves on many aspects of its predecessor by being built from the ground up using stakeholder feedback, advice, and participation.
Implementing the New Policy
As a part of passing the new CIDT policy in April of 2023, the Board of Education and the District laid out a timeline for fully implementing the new policy. This implementation process will continue to engage stakeholders’ voices, build alignment and cohesion in the District, and create learning materials to maintain transparency and guide the transition from SQRP to CIDT.