Featured Press Overview

July 8, 2026 • WBEZ / Chicago Sun-Times

In this letter to the editor, parent leader Claiborne Wade applauds Chicago Public Schools for protecting instructional time and Safe Passage programs despite its budget challenges, while calling attention to the deeper issue of chronic underfunding. He urges Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to increase evidence-based funding and pursue long-term solutions that provide students with the stable, fully funded education they deserve.

June 29, 2026 • Chalkbeat Chicago

There is continued delay in establishing the noncitizen advisory panel required by Illinois law, leaving immigrant families without a formal voice in Chicago's new elected school board governance. Kids First Chicago parent leader Claiborne is quoted emphasizing the importance of ensuring all families—regardless of citizenship status—have meaningful opportunities to help shape decisions that affect their children's education.

June 25, 2026 • Chalkbeat Chicago

The article focuses on the slow rollout of Chicago Public Schools’ Black Student Success Plan, highlighting concerns from families and advocates about delays in implementation and unclear timelines for impact. CPS and Kids First parent leaders Koron and Coretta are quoted emphasizing the importance of urgency and accountability in ensuring the plan delivers meaningful support and improved outcomes for Black students across the district.

June 10, 2026 • WBEZ / Chicago Sun-Times

CPS CEO Macquline King delivered a congressional testimony, where she defended the district's policies on transgender students, diversity initiatives, and parent engagement before Congress. CPS parent and Kids First Chicago staff member Tierra Pearson traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the hearing and is quoted sharing her support for King's leadership, emphasizing the importance of keeping the focus on the progress Chicago Public Schools is making for students rather than political rhetoric.

May 27, 2026 • WBEZ / Chicago Sun-Times

As candidates prepare for the upcoming CPS Board elections, there are still gaps in voter awareness to overcome. Our September 2025 poll, which shows that two our of three Chicago residents didn't know about the full elected board, was featured to further contextualize this gap.

May 8, 2026 • The 74 Million

Jennifer Stern and Daniel Anello: Congress should use budget negotiations to ensure that ICE stays out of schools so that students can keep attending regularly.

May 6, 2026 • Chalkbeat Chicago

Kids First Chicago parent leaders Edgardo and Claiborne are featured sharing firsthand concerns about how reductions to school funding could affect students, emphasizing the need to protect classroom resources and ensure every child continues to receive the support they need.

April 15, 2026 • Chicago Tribune

In this co-written op-ed, education advocates Jessica Handy, Josh Kaufmann, and Hal Woods make the case that Illinois should not eliminate the indicator that measures whether students are prepared to succeed after high school. They argue that this accountability measure is critical for ensuring students are truly ready for college, careers, and long-term success.

April 2, 2026 • The 74 Million

This piece references our Safe Passage Report, which examines how ICE raids led to sharp enrollment declines in school districts, leaving students, families, and schools to face the consequences. As fear spread through immigrant communities, many families kept children home or withdrew them entirely, disrupting learning and deepening absenteeism.

March 25, 2026 • Telemundo Chicago

K1C’s own Vanessa Espinoza was interviewed by Telemundo on Wednesday, unpacking Chicago’s enrollment trends.

March 12, 2026 • WBEZ / Chicago Sun-Times

Overall absenteeism this year is comparable to last year, but our new report finds that it is markedly worse among students learning English. The report gives several suggestions that may curtail future attendance decreases and ensure academic continuity.

March 12, 2026 • WBEZ / Chicago Sun-Times

In our Safe Passage Report, we found that while overall absenteeism this year is comparable to last year, the impact is significantly worse for students learning English. Immigration enforcement has created added fear and instability for many families, directly affecting school attendance and students’ ability to learn. Our findings show that stronger coordination and support systems are critical to preventing further declines in attendance and ensuring every student feels safe getting to and from school.