A new report claims that Chicago Public Schools teachers have been instructed to give migrant students passing grades and promote them to the next grade, regardless of their academic performance.
In a disturbing new development, teachers in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have alleged that school officials have directed them to give migrant students passing grades and advance them to the next grade, even if they display severe academic deficiencies. This shocking revelation has sparked outrage among parents and raised concerns about the quality of education being provided to all students.
Chicago Schools Accused of Lowering Academic Standards for Migrant Students
According to a report by WGN News, several teachers from different schools within the district have come forward to expose this troubling trend. One teacher claims she was instructed to give one of her students a "C" in all her grades and pass her to the third grade despite testing at a "kindergarten level." Another teacher alleges that school officials directly instructed them during a training session to promote migrant students to the next grade.
This alleged lowering of academic standards for migrant students has created a significant challenge for teachers, who are struggling to communicate with these students due to language barriers. Many migrants have settled in Black neighborhoods where schools are not equipped with programs for non-English speakers.
Chicago Schools Accused of Lowering Academic Standards for Migrant Students
One teacher describes relying on Google Translate and the Spanish teacher for the entire year to communicate with her migrant student. Another teacher claims that none of her students were enrolled in summer school, despite CPS officials asserting that ESL students are placed in summer school programs to improve their English literacy.
The influx of migrant students into Chicago's schools has also raised concerns about health and safety. Many of these students have arrived without proper health records, which has exacerbated the already strained healthcare system in the city.
Chicago Schools Accused of Lowering Academic Standards for Migrant Students
Chicago Public Schools CEO Dr. Pedro Martinez has denied that the district's promotion guidelines have been altered. He maintains that all students, including migrants, are held to the same academic standards. However, teachers who have spoken to WGN News dispute this claim.
The district's spokesperson has acknowledged that promotion guidelines have been "modified to serve the specialized needs of English Language Learners." This modification raises questions about the fairness of the promotion process and the potential impact it may have on the overall quality of education in CPS.
Parents are rightfully furious about these allegations and demand answers from school officials. They fear that the lowering of academic standards for migrant students will lead to a decline in the overall quality of education for all students.
It is imperative that Chicago Public Schools address these serious concerns and take immediate steps to ensure that all students are held to the same high academic standards. This includes providing the necessary resources and support to migrant students to help them succeed academically.
