Chicago Public Schools (CPS)’s new funding formula has reportedly affected the district’s most selective and competitive schools.
In March CPS officials voted on an “equity-based” formula that gives priority to the district’s underfunded schools. School districts typically release funding based on enrollment population.
Among the select schools reportedly affected by the funding formula is LaSalle Language Academy – a prestigious institution set apart from other schools in the district due to its world language program – that offers daily classes in Spanish, Mandarin and other languages.
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Chicago Public Schools’ new funding formula has reportedly affected the district’s most selective and competitive schools. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
LaSalle boasts diversity of various backgrounds and cultures among its student population.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, local school council members in LaSalle are concerned that such language courses will be affected by budget cuts next fall.
“They are grappling with whether they can continue the programming that makes up their schools — which have no neighborhood limits and admissions based on lottery or academic requirements,” the Sun Times reports. It is – the gem of the district.”
A council member said, “The World Languages Program is fully integrated into every aspect of the curriculum.” “And to take that piece of identity away…the consequences are really hard to understand.”
CPS officials told fox news digital Advocates have been opposing that model for decades because it has been blamed for school funding inequity. In 2020, community members gave feedback to CPS that “the student-based budget was not working.”
“This new model removes the ability for schools to use social capital to advocate and earn more positions or funding,” a CPS spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
“As our Office of Budget and Management and Office of Network Support work with schools and LSCs on their FY 2025 budgets, we are implementing formulas to help schools make evidence-based decisions for each school Because they are transitioning to operating under the new model, the spokesperson said.
In response to the backlash, CPS said that “school budgets are not being reduced” but that “some schools may see changes.”
“CPS is maintaining the overall level of funding for our schools,” the statement said.
New changes to lift disadvantaged schools have sparked concern among parents, WBEZ Report,
The outlet reported, “Many parents are worried about their future as the school district has stopped busing them, citing a bus driver shortage, and the school board has tabled a proposal for a change away from school choice.” has passed on.”
CPS officials reportedly said In December 2023, he said he did not want to eliminate schools with selective enrollment, such as magnet and charter schools. However, this could happen if the community wishes, as officials plan to facilitate public comment on the issues over the next few months.
The spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Thursday that “the resolution has no immediate impact on selective enrollment schools” and “it only sets parameters for the development of the district’s next strategic plan.”
“The primary goal of the resolution was to prioritize neighborhood schools and students furthest from opportunity and ensure that all students have access to a world-class, public pre-K-12th grade education,” the spokesperson said in a statement released to Fox News. Have access to.” digital.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson gives an update on migrant issues at City Hall on January 29, 2024 in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
The funding formula comes amid challenges CPS faces $391 million budget deficit And a dwindling COVID-relief fund.
The CPS funding formula stems from a proposal they passed last year that moves away from school choice and pushes the city’s neighborhood schools to address “long-standing structural racism and socioeconomic inequity.” Does.
According to the resolution passed, the board is considering “moving away from privatization and admissions/enrollment policies and addressing stratification and inequity in CPS and shifting student enrollment away from neighborhood schools.”
“The new budget model also provides a streamlined funding formula that more clearly shows how education is funded in our district,” a CPS spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
The spokesperson said that under this new “FY 2025 budget model, selective enrollment and magnet schools will continue to receive funding to support the strong and rigorous teaching and learning that has led many of them to become state and national top schools.” Have been included in the ranking.
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Chicago Public Schools voted to remove school resource officers from 39 schools where they still patrolled. ((Brian Casella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)/(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images))
The change to the funding formula is “long overdue,” a CPS spokesperson said.
“For many years, CPS community members have advocated for a budget that better supports schools in historically under-resourced communities that are supporting students with the greatest needs,” the spokesperson said.
CPS said the FY2025 budget model “puts equity first while accounting for each school’s student population.”
The spokesperson explained, “This new budget model will not disproportionately impact selective enrollment or any other type of school. Although still early, most of our selective enrollment schools will maintain or improve their current number of teachers.”
“We have updated our principals, our local school councils and parents on this new funding model and we will continue to inform our CPS community through direct outreach. Budget page on the CPS website.,
