Chicago Public Schools
HOMEPAGE

The City of Chicago has a broad and diverse population of nearly three million people and is rich in ethnic communities and neighborhoods. The city has a history of cultural diversity which is reflected through its many cultural attractions, events, and community activities. There are 77 neighborhoods, over 40 museums, more than 150 theaters, three of the world's tallest buildings, and the world's largest public library. Based on the 1990 Census of Population and Housing, Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce, Chicago has over one million households and accounts for nearly one-fourth of the entire population of Illinois.

According to the May/June 1996 Journal of Business Strategy, Chicago ranked second in overall business climate when compared to nine other large and mid-sized American cities. This was based on a composite index which included: the number of international air destinations; cost of living; diversity of worker skills; gross domestic product (GDP); population; number of Fortune 500-ranked global headquarters; and employment-unemployment rates. The Chicago area has the third largest labor pool in the country ("Geographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment," December 1995, Bureau of Labor Statistics).

The business community represents a large population. Revenue paid to the state generally is returned through various programs and initiatives. Employees provide a tax base since they reside in the City. CPS is the largest school district in the State of Illinois, has the ability to levy taxes as a taxing body within Cook County, and may sell bonds. It is a part of city government and the City of Chicago's economic base. The City has a MA rating in terms of its own ability to sell bonds. CPS's credit rating is Baa1, A-, and BBB+ from Moody's, S&P and Fitch, respectively. However, a critical revenue factor that impacts schools -- 85% of CPS students receive free and reduced lunches, which means the residential tax base is substantially low.

In 1994, the City of Chicago was designated as one of six urban Empowerment Zones (EZ) by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Chicago's EZ areas are the near West Side, Pilsen/Little Village and the near South Side. Benefits include: $100 million in Social Service Block Grant (SSBG) funding, tax credits for businesses located in the EZ who employ residents of those communities; accelerated depreciation for capital equipment purchases for EZ businesses; consideration for waiver from federal regulation; and new tax-exempt EZ bonds. EZ designation also generates priority consideration for federal grants (1990 Census of Population and Housing).

CPS comprises the third largest school system in the United States. It's nearly 600 schools, spread across 228.5 square miles and service over 424,000 students (CPS Fact Sheet, May 1997 - 1996-97 "Student Enrollment"). The racial breakdown of the student population is as follows:

• 54.5% African American
• 31.3% Hispanic
• 10.8% Caucasian
• 3.2%Asian
• .2%Native American

Over 83% of all students, citywide, are from low-income homes and receive free and reduced lunch (see Appendix N). Of the total number of students, the following represents those students who require special services:

• 15% bilingual
• 11 % children with special needs
• 5% of the students are eligible for gifted programs

According to the 1996 School Report Card, the citywide attendance rate is 89.6% as compared to the state average of 93.5%, with a student mobility rate of 29% compared to the state rate of 18.8%.

The nearly 600 schools reflect a variety of formats: primary schools, transitional schools, middle schools, elementary schools, upper grade centers and high schools. The system services 22% of Illinois' public school students. Of the more than 424,000 students, according to the 1997 Fact Sheet, CPS student enrollment consists of:

• 16,125 preschool
• 35,289 kindergarten
• 253,026 elementary
• 95,691 secondary
• 20,056 special education (preK-12)
• 1,798 alternative schools
• 2,469 tuitioned out

CPS employs over 45,000 people to serve its students -- 42,404 in schools, 1,534 in citywide services, and 1,180 at the Central Service Center. There are 20.5 pupils per teacher in elementary schools and 21 pupils per teacher in high schools. The 27,190 teachers employed by CPS have a racial breakdown of:

• 43.0% African-American
• 45.0% Caucasian
• 8.7% Hispanic
• 1.8% Asian
• .3% Native American

Racial breakdown of principals in the 557 schools include:

• 51.3% African American
• 37.1%White
• 1.2% Hispanic
• .2% Asian
• .2% Native American

Each school has control of local policy and discretionary funds through a Local School Council (LSC). The LSC consists of:

• 6 parent representatives
• 2 community representatives
• 2 teachers
• 1 principal
• 1 student representative in each high school

One of the problems faced by CPS in implementing technology has been the age and condition of many of its school buildings. There are approximately 765 buildings, with additions and annexes. Only 14% of these are less than 25 years old and have adequate or near adequate electrical capacities for technology. Another 26% are between 25 and 50 years old and can be upgraded fairly easily. The largest number of schools, over 40%, are between 50 and 100 years old. The worst problems are with the 9% of the buildings that are over 100 years old. An additional 11% were built in the late 60's, but were designed as temporary buildings intended to be used for only 15-20 years maximum. Additionally, many schools have limited discretionary dollars and are not able to fund the high cost of technology, without assistance.

As a result of the Illinois School Reform Law of 1988, as applied to Chicago, the Chicago Board of Education is now a "reform" Board with a decentralized school system where individual schools have autonomy to make their own decisions. In 1997, there was a change in philosophy that provided for CPS business and administrative functions to support the educational units and schools within the system. This is a major change from past practices and represented a unique feature of CPS reform versus that of many other large urban school districts.

The total operating budget for the CPS Central Services Center in FY97 is currently $2.9 billion for centrally managed services. Approximately 4% of this budget ($132,300,991), is appropriated for technology: Learning Technologies' share is $3,428,956; the ISBE Hub is $622,035; Department of Libraries is $517,100; and Telecommunications is $12,250,000. Management Information Systems is $116,000,000. Nearly $64 million is allocated to establish the Wide Area Network (WAN). The Learning Technologies Department of CPS has received bids to develop and install a WAN that will tie all Chicago Public Schools and related support organizations to one centrally managed and maintained facility.