DeKALB – President Donald Trump’s administration announced plans to cancel a grant awarded to Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Sept. 23 after they refused to abolish the Black Student Success Initiative.
The Black Student Success Initiative, announced Feb. 21, was intended to address educational achievement gaps for Black students by providing them with support and academic opportunities. The plan also intended to double the number of Black male educators within CPS, as well as expand curriculum on Black history and culture.
The White House expressed disdain for the plan, saying it was discriminatory.
CPS also failed to comply with the federal government’s other demand regarding transgender students using bathrooms and playing sports that reflect their gender identity.
Jayda Foster, former CPS student and first-year psychology major, shared her thoughts on what this defunding could mean for CPS students.
“You’re defunding something and it’s not for you guys. It’s for the kids. You aren’t thinking about the kids,” Foster said. “You’re defunding schools and we need schools.”
CPS had expected $8 million from the Magnet Schools Assistance Program with the intention of helping develop learning programs personalized to individual students. CPS now struggles to maintain these initiatives.
