Equity in CPS

Equity means...

CPS defines equity as championing the individual cultures, identities, talents, abilities, languages, and interests of each student by ensuring they receive the opportunities and resources that meet their unique needs and aspirations. In an equitable school district, every student has access to the resources, opportunities, and educational rigor they need, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, learning path, accessibility needs, family background, family income, citizenship, or tribal status.

• Prioritizing racial equity because racial and ethnic minorities have been historically prohibited and structurally excluded from educational opportunities;
• Promoting just and fair inclusion and creating the conditions in which everyone can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential;
• Ensuring that every child receives what they need to develop to their full academic and social potential;
• Examining biases to interrupt inequitable practices and to ensure inclusive school environments for all;
• Discovering and cultivating the unique gifts, talents and interests that every human possesses;
• Removing the predictability of success and failure that currently correlates with race, class, gender, gender identity, or any other social or cultural factors; and
• Taking accountability for historical inequity and advancing solutions to address root cause through an equity-based continuous improvement approach.

Equity in CPS

CPS collaborated with over 9,950 students, parents, staff, community members, and civic leaders to develop the CPS 5-Year Vision. The Vision includes a compelling, aspirational, universal goal for our district: At CPS, our Mission is to provide a high quality public education for every child, in every neighborhood, that prepares each for success in college, career and civic life. In setting this goal, we understand the reality that many students across the district experience these disparities in opportunity in myriad ways, every day. Inequities exist for several reasons including:

• Lack of understanding of the needs of diverse student groups;
• Lack of political will or investment, structural racism; and
• Mindsets that hinder a student’s full potential from materializing.

Guiding Principles