AFTER Growing Slightly for Two Years Mostly Due to An Influx of Migrant Students, Chicago Public Schools’ enrolment Dropped Significantly This School Year, Continuing a Long-Term Slide.
As of sept. 15, The 20th Day of School, CPS Had About 316,000 Students, Down by About 3%. The Percentage of Latino Students in CPS Dropped, From 47.3% to 46.4%, while the Percentage for Other Groups Rose or Remained the Same.
“ENROLLMENT DECROLLT ACOSS The Majority of Grade Levels and Most Student Groups, Including (Students) Identifying As Black, Latinx, English Language Learners and Students in Temporary Living Situations,“ International CPS CEO/SUPT. Macquline King Said at Thursday’s Board Meeting.
But king noted that enrollment this year incresed among White, Asian and multi -multiRal students, as well as Among Those with Disabilities. Black Students Also Dropped But Made Up About the Same Percentage of CPS Students As Last Year at 34%. King Also Said Attendance Rates Are Up Among All Student Groups Compared to Previous Years. Overall Attendance Through the first four Weeks Rose From 92.3% to 92.6% Compared to Last Year, Accounting to the District.
This Year’s ENROLLMENT DECREASE PICKS UP The District’s Trend of Declining Entrollment. The student population has dropped by About 93,000 students SINCE The 2009-2010 School Year, we CPS served 409,000 children.
The interim ceo also gave an update on the bus services, which has haen struggling to provides, partly duue to a nationwide Driver Shortage. King Said 12,656 students are now on bus routes compared to 10,800 LAST MONTH. She added that more than 98% of students with disabilities who Need Bus Service Are Now Receiving it.
“Requests for Transportation Come to Come in Daily and Our goal is to get all eligible students on a bus with 10 days of those requests,” King Said.
She added that the distribution plans to relay the hub Stop pilot program, which designates centralized pick up and drop off locations at cps schools, late this schooly to sturgery bolster those services.
Meanwhile at Epic Academy, A Small Southeast Side Charter High School, Low enrollment was a factor in leadership Decide to Close the School after this academic year. CPS Officials Told Parents Earlier This Month That The School Could Close Earlier.
At a Meeting Last Week, Epic Board Members Explained that the School’s Funding Formula is Driven by student enrollment and that a decline has led to a “structural deficiency,” according to the meeting minutes.
In voting unanimously to close the School, Which Opened in 2009, the Board Also Cyted Declining Revenue and Rising Personnel for That Deficiency.
The Decision Came JUST MONTHS AFTER THE CHICAGO SCHOOL BOARD VOTEED TO REENEW EPIC’S CONTRACT FOR Two Years.
At Thursday’s Board Meeting Epic Students and Teachers Called on the District to Step in and Keep the School Open.
“My Classmates and I don’t just want to graduate, we want to one day back as proud alumni who can get back to the same school that has gioven so much to us,” Said ayomide olatunji, one of the sevenors who showed up at the Meeing.
Andrew Escalante, A Teacher at Epic For Eight Years, Asked the Board How it Wood Renew Epic’s Charter if it was in financial distress.
“How was this approved if epic did not have the funds to operate,” Escalante Said. “What Concrete Steps is CPS Prepared to take to make Sure Our Students and Families Are Left Scrambling if the School Closes.”
Yesenia lopez was Among the Board Members who said the situations of the need for a reevaluation of the process in which CPS renews charter contracts.
“During Their Renewal Process We Heard from Stakeholders, Including the Charter Operator’s Own Board Advocating for Continutation, Fast Forward and We Find ourselves here,” Lopez Said. “The disconnect must be acknowledged and addressed with all parties involved to identify solutions.”
Contribing: Sarah Karp
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