A step backward for educational equity

As a lifelong Austin resident and education advocate, recent developments (“Chicago could move away from school choice. Here’s what that means for parents and students”) at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) under Mayor Brandon Johnson have me deeply concerned. His proposal to eliminate school choice from CPS not only risks undermining the academic future of many students, particularly Black children, but also disregards the voices of parents and community members.

As a parent who navigated the CPS system in the 1990s, I witnessed firsthand the benefits of school choice. I can attest to the important role that choice played in my five sons’ academic and professional achievements.

Despite working at Byford (now Brunson) Elementary School, I chose to seek better opportunities for my children due to the school’s inadequate leadership and financial mismanagement. This decision, while difficult, allowed my children to access programs and resources unavailable at our neighborhood school.

My sons’ achievements are a testament to the effectiveness of school choice: one graduated with honors from Simeon, two from Westinghouse, and two from Lindblom with honors. Four of them went on to become college graduates, with three earning degrees in engineering. School choice undeniably had a profound positive effect on their academic and professional lives.

To be clear: I am a staunch advocate for better-resourced neighborhood schools. However, this should not come at the cost of restricting families to only their neighborhood option. Families deserve the freedom to seek the best educational fit for their children, especially when neighborhood options fall short.

Currently, just 1 in 3 Black CPS students attend their neighborhood school. The Mayor’s decision to “transition away” from school choice, made without consulting families or communities, would disproportionately affect Black students, potentially exacerbating existing disparities.

School choice has undeniably been a key driver in the advancement of Black students for several decades. The potential elimination of our city’s choice system, therefore, poses a threat to the educational future of Chicago’s Black children.

I strongly urge Mayor Johnson and the CPS board to reconsider their decision. Any decision to limit families’ choices, especially without community engagement, is not only a step backward for educational equity but also a direct threat to the potential of our city’s youth, particularly those in Black communities.