Columbia Standard

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Board of Education President Jianan Shi are facing criticism from U.S. Senator Tim Scott for a resolution passed by the Chicago Board of Education that could eliminate school choice for Chicago families and widen the achievement gap. The resolution, backed by the teachers' union, aims to eliminate selective enrollment in Chicago Public Schools in the name of promoting equity.

Senator Scott expressed his concern in a letter to Mr. Shi and Mayor Johnson, stating, "I believe that every parent in the country has the right to choose the best school for their child, regardless of their zip code, and I urge you to preserve these critical options for families in Chicago."

The senator emphasized the impact of the resolution on low-income and minority students, as well as the high performance of the selective-enrollment high schools in Chicago. He highlighted the fact that these schools enroll nearly 10,000 Black and Hispanic students, with over 7,500 of them being low-income. These schools have been a lifeline for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with an opportunity to receive a quality education.

Senator Scott mentioned Walter Payton College Prep as an example of the high-performing schools that could be affected by the resolution. The school is ranked in the top 10 high schools in the United States and serves a minority population of nearly 59 percent. The data shows that students at selective-enrollment high schools reach academic proficiency at substantially higher rates than students districtwide.

The senator also highlighted the demand for school choice in Chicago, with 76 percent of high school students choosing to attend a school other than their assigned neighborhood school. He criticized Mayor Johnson for going back on his promise not to eliminate these schools, stating, "Now, having secured office on that promise, he's turning his back on the families who rely on these schools and shutting out the students utilizing them to better their future."

Senator Scott urged the Chicago leaders to find ways to increase school choice options for families instead of cutting them off. He emphasized that supporting both neighborhood schools and schools of choice is not an either/or proposition.

In conclusion, Senator Scott condemned the resolution passed by the Chicago Board of Education and called for the preservation of critical school choice options for families in Chicago. He expressed his concern that the resolution could strip away public school choice, hinder the success of minority and low-income children, and force students into failing schools.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-rips-chicago-mayor-education-board-president-for-anti-school-choice-resolution/