CPS Rebuffs Trumps Threat To Cut Magnet School Funding Over Diversity Efforts

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) informed the U. S. Department of Education it will not reverse its Black Student Success Plan or alter its policies regarding transgender students. Acting General Counsel Elizabeth K. Barton labeled the federal demands "unreasonable" and emphasized that Illinois law supports both initiatives.

The Department of Education claimed CPS violated anti-discrimination laws, threatening to cut funding from the Magnet School Assistance Program. Barton responded that CPS remains compliant with state laws that allow transgender students access to facilities aligning with their gender identity. Additionally, an Illinois law mandates the establishment of a Black Student Achievement Committee, which CPS plans to announce next week. The district argues that the federal investigation lacks evidence of any harm caused by the Black Student Success Plan, which has not yet been implemented. Barton requested 30 days to respond to the federal demands, highlighting the conflicting state guidelines.

CPS's commitment to its policies underscores the ongoing tension between federal and state educational directives.