Chicago closed 50 low-performing schools in 2013, saying students would be better off academically in new schools. But an expert says a Sun-Times and WBEZ analysis shows the closings “didn’t do anything to fix all the structural inequalities that are leading to lower outcomes in the first place.”
Archie Hayes, now 20, was in fourth grade when his North Lawndale school closed. He saw no improvement in the schools where he transferred, including one where CPS sent him. Now a rapper, he recently signed with a major label.
Marc Monaghan for WBEZ
Chicago promised students would do better after closing 50 schools. That didn’t happen.
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In Illinois, 80% of beauty and cosmetology programs are run by for-profit companies, which have a monopoly on training students for the state’s required licensing exams.
About half of the layoffs affected teacher aides. CPS Officials said only about 5% of all teacher aides lost their positions and that most will find jobs in other schools.
Just days after the candidate filing period ended, the CTU is out with 11 endorsed candidates for 10 seats, including parents, educators, faith leaders and community organizers.
Students are frequently saddled with debt and jobs with low wages, a WBEZ investigation finds. Recruitment targets Black, brown and low-income students.
The analysis by the University of Chicago released Wednesday also found a reduction in high-level discipline infractions at schools that had gotten rid of their cops.