Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has implemented a policy permitting students identified as illegal immigrants to receive excused absences if they or their families express concerns about federal immigration enforcement. This measure has raised questions about its implications for attendance and cooperation with federal authorities.
Why It Matters
The significance of this policy lies in its potential to impact school attendance rates and relations between local education systems and federal immigration enforcement. Critics argue that it may inadvertently encourage truancy and complicate efforts to uphold the rule of law within educational environments.
Key Developments
- CPS policy allows absences to be marked as “excused” under the premise of fear related to immigration enforcement.
- The policy was reaffirmed by the school board in February and has no defined time limit on when it can be applied.
- Absences must be reported via approved methods, but detailed explanations are not required beyond safety concerns.
- Students can also receive excused absences to attend civic events, including public performances and educational gatherings.
Full Report
Policy Details
A document titled “Attendance Coding for Safety Concerns Related to Federal Representative Activity,” obtained by the organization Defending Education, outlines how CPS allows excused absences for students whose parents express fear of federal immigration actions. The policy explicitly notes that these absences can be categorized under “concern for student health and safety,” emphasizing that the absence need not be supported by substantial documentation.
Critics’ Reactions
Critics of the policy, such as Kendall Tietz from Defending Education, have voiced concerns that it effectively converts attendance policies into tools for immigration deterrence. Tietz argues that this approach may undermine educational integrity and encourage students to skip school without accountability. They assert that CPS should prioritize facilitating student attendance and accurate record-keeping over what they perceive as aiding truancy.
Financial Context
In fiscal year 2024, Chicago Public Schools received over $1.5 billion in federal funding. Despite this financial support, an Office of Inspector General report revealed excessive travel expenses totaling $14.5 million during the previous two fiscal years. Simultaneously, academic proficiency rates have suffered, with only 30.5% of students in grades 3-8 achieving adequate reading skills and a mere 18.3% demonstrating proficiency in math as of spring 2024.
Context & Previous Events
The CPS policy regarding excused absences related to immigration fears was reaffirmed in February and has been met with criticism from various educational watchdogs. The district’s funding and resource management have come under scrutiny, particularly in light of concerning student performance metrics.
