The launch of the Black Student Success Plan by Chicago Public Schools on Friday marked another step that the district says shows its commitment to eliminating “opportunity gaps and ensuring Black students have the support needed” to succeed.
Developed with input from stakeholders such as local school council members, students, parents and teachers in the district at community roundtables, the Black Student Success Plan is a collection of recommendations to help dismantle achievement barriers for Black students and help them be successful in and out of the classroom.
Despite ongoing opportunity gaps in education quality, policies and support at the individual schools and the district level, recent progress in Chicago Public Schools shows significant growth for Black students, data suggests.
The 2023-24 Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) results highlight a 10.5% increase in proficiency since 2021-22, with Black students’ growth in English Language Arts surpassing overall district gains. Black male students in third through eighth grades saw a 10.7% increase in reading proficiency.
“Our students are enriched by learning about the history of Black people in America and around the world, a vital demographic within our school communities,” CEO Pedro Martinez said in a news release.
More Black students in CPS graduated and earned early college credits and credentials in 2023 and 2024 than in previous years, according to the district.
“Ensuring our students can connect with their past and learn from it has a real-world impact. The Class of 2024 Black high school graduates have achieved significant academic success, but there is still work to be done to address opportunity gaps,” Martinez said in the release.
CPS said in the news release that it remains dedicated to “undoing all obstacles to Black student success.”
Aaron “Jitu” Brown, the District 5A member of the Chicago Board of Education and a longtime activist on the city’s West Side, pointed to factors outside of schools such as limited access to grocery stores and an overabundance of liquor stores as community harms to students.
“If we’re going to truly be serious about equity, we also have to…. be forward-thinking,” Brown said. “We have to look at the fact that in the same neighborhood where we need a revitalization of our schools, we also need a revitalization of housing. We also need food production and delivery systems, and that’s the burden of leadership that we have to be able to look forward to.”
Sharing anecdotes of his experience growing up in the city, Brown said the Black Student Success program has to be a priority for the district to operate properly. Excited about the possibilities of the plan, he said those involved “have to see beyond the obvious.”
“I want to work with you all on it, but we’re not going to be shortsighted,” Brown said. “We have a moment to really be leaders. Part of that is you don’t run from the truth; you don’t run from the smoke. You run to it.”
Starting this spring, the plan will bring together goals that aim to create a more equitable and inclusive educational environment for all students, ensuring that resources are distributed fairly and increasing the recruitment and retention of Black educators and leaders.
The strategic plan, which the board adopted in September, outlines the district’s priorities and investments through 2029. It emphasizes creating a more equitable school system and aiming to close achievement and opportunity gaps for Black and Latino students, students with disabilities, students in temporary living situations and English-language learners.
The district is committed to removing obstacles in students’ paths, CPS Chief Education Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova said in the news release. “Together, we can create an inclusive educational environment where all students have the opportunity to thrive,” Chkoumbova said.
Since launching the Black Student Success Working Group last year, the district has worked with stakeholders to analyze data and develop recommendations for the Black Student Success Plan.
In March, the district will host community roundtables following the plan’s launch. “We’ve been intentional about sharing the Working Group’s recommendations and incorporating feedback from students, staff, and community members into the development of the plan,” CPS Black Student Success Director Eugene Robinson Jr said in the press release. “This engagement will continue throughout the plan’s rollout and early implementation.”
