Black Student Success Plan
The mission of CPS is to provide a high-quality public education for every child in every neighborhood that prepares them for success in college, career, and civic life. While CPS has made efforts to address long-standing racial inequities in education, Black students continue to suffer from historic and persistent gaps in educational opportunities and outcomes.
In order to address the systemic inequities that have stood in the way of Black student achievement, CPS is committed to co-creating a Black Student Success Plan incorporating the voices of stakeholders.
Use this webpage to get information about the Black Student Success Working Group, track the progress of the recommendations, view focus group data and testimonials, and view materials from meetings.
Black Student Success Working Group
Forming of draft recommendations for the plan is underway with the Black Student Success Working Group, which convenes students, parents, educators, school and District leaders, researchers, community-based organizations, labor, and city and state partners. This group includes many individuals and organizations who have been focused on the work of Black student success for decades. By honoring their past work and drawing on their expertise, we can create the best plan possible for Black students at CPS.
The Black Student Success Working Group will provide recommendations to the CEO and Board of Education to be included in the Black Student Success Plan. This plan will be an important component of the District's new five-year strategic plan, which will be presented to the Board of Education for approval in Summer 2024.
Working Group Timeline, Meeting Materials & Resources
| Session | Date/Time | Location | Deck | Resources Shared |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12/13/2023 5:30 PM | Dyett HS | Slides | |
| 2 | 1/11/2024 5:30 PM | Dyett HS | Slides | |
| 3 | 1/23/2024 5:30 PM | CPS Garfield Park Offices | Slides | |
| 4 | 2/6/2024 5:30 PM | Virtual | Slides | BSS Opportunity Statements Synthesis |
| 4.5 | 2/17/2024 10:00 AM | Virtual | Slides | Virtual Packet |
| 5 | 2/27/2024 5:30 PM | Marshall HS | Slides | Handout Packet |
| 6 | 4/2/2024 5:30 PM | Englewood STEM HS | Slides | |
| 7 | 4/16/2024 5:30 PM | Englewood STEM HS | Slides |
Community Roundtables
CPS hosted seven community roundtables to listen to communities about current challenges and recommended solutions. We heard input directly from community members, which will be incorporated into the Black Student Success Plan. Browse the Community Roundtable materials below, and view a recording of the virtual Roundtable held on March 19, 2024.
March 12
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Northside (Uptown)
Uplift Community High School (900 W Wilson Ave)
March 13
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Southside (Englewood)
Kennedy King College (U-building - 740 W 63rd St)
March 14
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Westside (North Lawndale/ West Humboldt Park/ Garfield Park)
Beidler Elementary (3151 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60612)
March 15
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Southeast Side
CVCA (2100 E 87th St,)
March 19
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Virtual
March 19
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Far Southside
Corliss High School (821 E 103rd St)
March 20
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Southside (Bronzeville/Hyde Park)
Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts (555 E 51st St)
March 21
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Far Westside (Austin)
Michele Clark Magnet High School (5101 W Harrison St)
Additional Engagement
We hosted specialized focus groups with students, families and staff to better understand the experiences, needs, and successes of our students. Read what was discussed.