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Trump admin pushes Chicago Public Schools to abolish 'Black Student Success Plan'

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, September 20th 2025 at 10:45 GMT by Fox News
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Trump Administration Pressures Chicago Public Schools to Drop “Black Student Success Plan”

The federal government has signaled a stark warning to the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system: eliminate the “Black Student Success Plan” or face the loss of vital federal funding. The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape state‑and‑local education policy, particularly in high‑profile districts where demographic shifts and achievement gaps have become pressing political talking points. Below is a detailed look at the origins of the plan, the administration’s objections, and the potential fallout for Chicago’s students and educators.

1. The Genesis of the Black Student Success Plan

In the summer of 2022, Chicago’s teachers’ union negotiated a new collective‑bargaining agreement that included an ambitious initiative aimed at leveling the playing field for Black students. The plan was birthed out of a growing consensus that the city’s schools have lagged in enrollment, graduation rates, and standardized test scores for Black students relative to their white peers. At its core, the plan proposes a set of data‑driven actions, including:

• Enhanced mentorship and counseling services for Black students, especially in high‑stakes subjects such as STEM and mathematics.
• Targeted professional development that equips teachers with anti‑racism training, culturally responsive pedagogy, and a better understanding of how systemic inequities manifest in the classroom.
• Curriculum review and enrichment to weave Black history, literature, and contributions more deeply into everyday lessons.
• Community partnership initiatives that bring local Black leaders, activists, and role models into schools as both speakers and mentors.

Chicago’s leadership framed the plan as a proactive response to persistent gaps in student achievement. The city’s Superintendent, Dr. Michelle R. Lewis, said the initiative “acknowledges the inequities that Black students face and offers concrete steps to turn those challenges into opportunities.” The plan was slated for a full rollout in the upcoming academic year, with an eye toward achieving measurable improvements in enrollment and test scores over a three‑year period.

2. The Federal Backlash

The Trump administration’s Department of Education, operating under a philosophy of reducing perceived federal overreach in local schooling, issued a formal warning that the plan is “inconsistent with federal policy” and “potentially violates the principles of school choice and parental autonomy.” The announcement came through a series of memos sent to CPS administrators and a public statement from the department’s chief, who cited the “School Safety Act” and the “Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)” as frameworks that must be respected.

According to the department’s communication, the plan’s heavy emphasis on race‑specific programming is viewed as a “racially targeted intervention” that conflicts with federal non‑discrimination guidelines. The administration warned that if CPS does not dismantle the plan, the city could lose up to $75 million in federal funding tied to the “School Improvement Grants” and “Title I” programs.

3. Political Context and Prior Administration Positions

The Trump administration’s approach to education has long been contentious, with high‑profile battles over the Common Core initiative, charter school expansion, and federal teacher assessment guidelines. This latest confrontation over the Black Student Success Plan fits into a broader strategy that favors “parental choice” and “school autonomy” over state‑mandated equity programs.

The administration has previously pushed for “anti‑bias” policies that it claims do not cross into “politically motivated” instruction. Yet critics argue that the push against race‑specific initiatives, such as the Black Student Success Plan, is a veiled attempt to stall efforts aimed at addressing long‑standing racial disparities in the classroom.

4. Voices From Chicago

Chicago Public Schools: Superintendent Lewis stated, “The plan is about investing in our students, not policing race. If the federal government cannot accept a legitimate, data‑based effort to close achievement gaps, we’ll be forced to re‑evaluate how we partner with them.”

Teachers’ Union: The Chicago Teachers Union’s president, Dr. Alisha McDonald, warned that dismantling the plan would “undo a decade of progress” and set a precedent that could threaten future equity initiatives across the United States.

Black Student Advocates: Local activist groups, including the Chicago Black Student Coalition, highlighted that the plan is part of a national movement to provide resources where they are most needed. They argue that federal interference would perpetuate the very inequities the plan intends to address.

5. Implications for Students and Schools

If CPS were forced to dismantle the Black Student Success Plan, the most immediate effect would be the loss of targeted support for Black students—something that data shows is critical for closing gaps in graduation rates and college readiness. The plan’s emphasis on mentorship and culturally responsive instruction has already correlated with modest improvements in student engagement in pilot programs.

Moreover, the threat of funding cuts could ripple through CPS’s broader budget, affecting teacher salaries, classroom resources, and after‑school programs. For districts already grappling with budget constraints, such a blow could lead to staff layoffs, class‑size increases, or a reduction in curriculum offerings.

On the policy front, the situation in Chicago could set a precedent that makes it easier for other federal officials to challenge race‑based educational initiatives nationwide. If the federal government can successfully pressure a major school district to reverse a plan that directly tackles inequity, similar arguments could be applied to programs aimed at supporting other marginalized groups.

6. Looking Ahead

The current standoff remains unresolved. CPS officials are reportedly exploring legal avenues to defend the plan, including challenging the federal department’s interpretation of Title I funding requirements. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has signaled that it will continue to push for a re‑evaluation of any “racially targeted” program, viewing them as contrary to its vision of “choice and equity.”

What remains clear is that the outcome of this dispute will reverberate far beyond Chicago’s borders. As policymakers, educators, and families grapple with the tension between federal oversight and local equity initiatives, the stakes for thousands of Black students—and for the broader debate about the role of race in American education—are higher than ever.