Chicago Public Schools and Segregation

Introduction

• Part of the series FIRSTHAND: SEGREGATION, focusing on racial divisions in Chicago.
• Collaboration between South Side Weekly, WTTW, and Invisible Institute.

Historical Context

• 1863 ordinance mandated separate schools for Black and White students.
• Segregation increased with the Great Migration and was perpetuated through policies.

2013 School Closures

• CPS and Mayor Rahm Emanuel closed 50 schools to address budget deficits.
• Over 11,000 students displaced.
• Majority of closures were in Black and brown neighborhoods.
• Schools affected had a majority Black student population.

Decline in Enrollment & Funding

• Decline in enrollment fueled by exodus of Black families and Student-Based Budgeting (SBB).
• SBB ties funding to student numbers, disadvantaging under-enrolled schools.
• Charter school expansion seen as a cause of CPS enrollment decline.

Segregation Origins and Policies

• Residential segregation led to school segregation.
• 1950s-60s: Maps showed schools maintained high Black populations.
• Use of Willis Wagons to avoid integrating schools.

Attempts at Integration

• 1980: CPS under consent decree for desegregation.
• Policies led to voluntary transfers but schools remained segregated.
• Consent decree lifted in 2009; segregation persisted.

Impact of Public Housing Demolition

• Demolition of public housing led to decreased school enrollment and closures.
• Schools adjacent to demolished housing projects were closed.

Effects of 2013 Closures

• Students forced to transfer, leading to overcrowded receiving schools.
• School closures disproportionately affected Black and brown students.
• Negative impact on test scores and community cohesion.

School Underutilization

• Schools deemed underutilized if below 70% capacity, leading to closure.
• Closure by attrition: funding cuts lead to eventual closure due to low enrollment.
• Disparities in resources due to different fundraising abilities between neighborhoods.

Magnet and Selective-Enrollment Schools

• Created under desegregation consent decree.
• Magnet schools use lottery system; selective schools use test scores for admission.
• Racial disparities in admissions persist.

Charter Schools and Privatization

• Renaissance 2010 led to the increase in charter schools.
• Charters often lack accountability and may expel students more frequently.
• Charter schools often replace district schools, maintaining segregation.

Disparities in School Quality

• Discrepancies in access to arts and quality programs between regions.
• Greater Lincoln Park has more resources compared to Bronzeville.
• Teachers often lack resources in underfunded schools.

Conclusion

• Despite efforts, CPS remains highly segregated.
• Black students face disproportionate challenges due to school policies and closures.
• Ongoing need to address disparities in education quality and access.