Archive for May, 2009
Wow, CPS kicks butt… if you’re Asian
As an LSC member at my neighborhood school (I’m on as a community member) I received and interesting pamphlet from CPS call “On the Same Page.” It’s filled with some of the key data about CPS and some of it is very eye-opening.
The test score information by race is particularly interesting (and simultaneously depressing.) By overall race, results in CPS vary dramatically. To CPS’ credit, scores for all races, especially African American and Hispanic have increased greatly in the past 5 years (meaning the # of kids who meet ISAT standards.) But mainly because they were so abysmally low back in 2004. Here’s some numbers:
2008 % of Elementary Kids Meeting ISAT Standards
Asian: 93%
White: 87%
Hispanic: 74%
Af-Am 58%
2008 % of Elementary Kids Exceeding ISAT Standards
Asian: 44%
White: 36%
Hispanic: 13%
Af-Am 8%
2008 ACT Score of 20+
Asian: 64%
White: 60%
Hispanic: 22%
Af-Am 13%
2008 Graduation Rate
Asian: 77%
White: 62%
Hispanic: 57%
Af-Am 51%
So those Asian/Pacific Islander families are utilizing CPS quite well, it seems. 44% exceed ISAT standards?! That is pretty good! In fact I’d like to have some seminars called “How to Get Your Child Through CPS Like an Asian Family Does.” Hopefully that doesn’t sound impressive… I would just truly like to know how this group stand out above the others. I imagine a strong focus on education and academics above all else must be involved.
White kids fare nearly as well, but their graduation rate is a lot lower than the Asian kids.
Obviously something is lacking in the system for Af-Am and Hispanic students. Of course that is the million dollar question in school systems like Chicago, LA, and NYC. From the little reading I’ve done, it’s much more than just inadequate schooling, but a range of social and socio-economic issues that come into play that are challenging to incorporate into a school system’s strategy. From other CPS newsletters I get, it seems that some schools with large minority populations have started to crack the code to success, as have some of the charter schools, but clearly there’s still quite a ways to go. I wish I knew what the answer was….
9 comments May 29, 2009
School Assignments – Still Being Worked Through
A parent gives this update. (btw, how do I get the job of Administrator of Student Selections? That would be pretty cool, doling out those spots.)
Just a brief update. I just spoke with Crystal Vance (Administrator of Student Selections at CPS). She told me when I spoke with her back in March after the GEAP letters had been sent out that if I checked back with her later on in the process, after there had been more movement, that she might be able to give me a better idea/narrow it down as to my son’s rank/chances of getting into Lenart. Anyway, today she said that they are still in the midst of the selection process and if she could she would call me back later today or tomorrow. She didn’t indicate what she might or might not be able to tell at that point. I know this isn’t much info, but still thought I would share. 
36 comments May 5, 2009
Skinner North Tour May 16
A parent writes….
Just thought I’d update you that Skinner North is offering a SATURDAY 2 hour open house for new Skinner Parents on May 16 to tour the Schiller location-and also a ‘community meeting’ on May 20 at Ogden. Should be interesting!
6 comments May 5, 2009
