Introducing CPS' New Accountability Policy
The Continuous Improvement and Data Transparency Policy (CIDT) sets out a systematic means for measuring a school performance and identifying schools in need of support.
Following a multi-year process of planning and development, CPS has introduced a new policy for evaluating school performance and progress. CIDT replaces the School Quality Rating Policy (SQRP) and improves on many aspects of its predecessor by being built from the ground up using stakeholder feedback, advice and participation. This policy will take effect at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.
How CIDT Changes CPS' Approach to Accountability
Our new accountability policy focuses on working with schools to address challenges, not penalizing them. Watch our video to learn more about how CIDT is changing the District's approach to school accountability.
Goals
Support the Whole Child
Support the whole child by enabling improved teaching and learning in schools.
Engage Families
Inform families about all the characteristics that comprise the high-quality educational experience.
Support Schools
Diagnose where and how to equitably direct resources and supports to schools.
What’s New About CIDT
The Continuous Improvement and Data Transparency policy makes significant changes to how CPS approaches school accountability:
- Ends the punitive mindset around accountability
- Ends ratings (Level 1, Level 1+ Level 2, etc.)
- Focuses on District accountability as well as school accountability
- Examines “input” metrics at schools like daily learning experiences and adult continuous learning, while improving on how we look at “outputs” like grades, and graduation rates
- Focuses on improving all of our schools through the equity index’s lens
- Provides more holistic information for our stakeholders
- Builds alignment and cohesion in the district
Indicators of Success
The policy establishes a comprehensive system to assess school performance in order to identify, monitor, and assist schools in need of support in these areas:
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Student academic progress
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Student postsecondary success
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Student connectedness and well-being
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Student daily learning experiences
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Adult capacity and continuous learning
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Inclusive and collaborative school and community
Supporting Equity
The policy aligns with the CPS Equity Framework and the principle of Targeted Universalism. That means this policy goes beyond solely focusing on school-level outputs and outcomes by adding greater consideration to, and accountability for, inputs. These inputs include the set of resources, such as funding to schools, and conditions, such as safe and inclusive learning environments, that impact a high-quality educational experience in schools.
What's Next?
As part of passing the new CIDT policy in April 2023, the Board of Education and the District laid out a timeline for fully implementing the new policy.