At this critical moment, we, the Parent Advisory Board, feel compelled to express our deep concern over the ongoing distractions within Chicago Public Schools (CPS).
Our children's academic and social-emotional well-being must be the focus. When only 1 in 3 students read at grade level and less than 1 in 5 perform math at grade level, it’s clear that we must focus on students’ learning first and foremost. Over 40% of students were chronically absent last year, including more than half of all high school students. Moreover, trust between students and teachers is at its lowest point in over a decade. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability among families, school communities, and our elected officials.
We call on:
CPS and its schools to provide full transparency by sharing comprehensive student performance data with families—not just celebrating the wins but also showing us where we need to redouble support for students who are furthest behind.
CPS to ensure that negotiations with the CTU for a new contract include meaningful accountability measures for our children’s learning outcomes and for creating an environment that inspires and motivates them to attend school every day.
The newly-elected and soon-to-be-appointed CPS board members to put aside distractions and focus on clearly communicating where our children are academically and implementing strategies that address these critical issues head-on.
Parents deserve to be fully informed to support their children's education effectively. Our children's futures depend on it.
Invitation to the Media
To address these concerns, the Parent Advisory Board invites members of the media to an open roundtable discussion on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at Kids First Chicago’s offices (190 S. LaSalle, 39th Floor). Parents will share their perspectives on how CPS, CTU, and the Mayor's office can realign their focus on what matters most: our students.
For more information or to RSVP for the roundtable, please contact Kristin Pollock at kpollock@kidsfirstchicago.org.
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