In February 2025, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) rolled out the Black Student Success Plan, a sweeping five-year program aimed at confronting racial disparities in education. Mandated by a 2023 Illinois law, the plan sought to ensure Black students achieve academic parity with their peers and addressed representation, discipline, and curriculum inclusivity.The plan set ambitious targets: Doubling the number of Black male educators, reducing suspensions and expulsions for Black students by 40%, and expanding the teaching of Black history and culture. In addition, CPS aimed to partner with historically Black colleges and universities to cultivate a pipeline of future educators and provide comprehensive support for students’ academic and socio-emotional needs.
When was it launched?
The plan, mandated by a 2023 Illinois law, was formally released in February 2025, following months of planning by the newly formed Black Student Achievement Committee. The committee’s recommendations formed the backbone of the initiative, aiming to create long-term structural changes that could close historical achievement gaps and promote educational equity for Black students.
Why was it initiated?
The plan was conceived to address decades of systemic inequities that have hindered Black students’ educational outcomes. Factors such as redlining, underrepresentation of Black educators, disproportionate disciplinary measures, and gaps in culturally relevant curriculum motivated CPS to implement targeted interventions.By focusing on academic achievement, discipline reform, and cultural inclusion, the Black Student Success Plan is intended to level the playing field, providing Black students with resources, mentorship, and opportunities historically denied to them.
Federal investigation: The Trump administration’s response
Barely a day after the plan’s release, Parents Defending Education, a conservative advocacy group, filed a complaint asserting that allocating resources specifically for Black students violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits race-based discrimination in federally funded programs.On April 29, the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation. Acting Assistant Secretary Craig Trainor described the plan as “pernicious and unlawful,” warning that federal funds could not support race-based resource allocation. This is the second federal inquiry into CPS under the Trump administration, following an earlier probe into alleged Title IX violations related to sex discrimination.The administration’s investigation reflects a broader national push to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, often linking compliance to federal funding eligibility.
Local response and wider implications
Chicago’s educational leaders have resisted the investigation. Stacy Davis Gates, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, framed the initiative as a necessary response to a “man-made educational achievement gap” caused by decades of systemic inequities. Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois State Superintendent Tony Sanders emphasized that schools already comply with federal law and indicated potential legal action if funding were threatened.The investigation has sparked a national debate over the role of race-conscious policies in public education. For CPS, the Black Student Success Plan represents more than a policy; it is a symbol of commitment to equity and opportunity, and its outcome could set a precedent for how school districts across the country address racial disparities in education.
