CPS and Aspira blame each other for the charter network’s downfall. CPS says that Aspira created budgets based on unrealistic enrollment projections, while Lopez says CPS’ student assignment system directed students away from charter schools like his; he said underfunding and low enrollment made the schools difficult to operate. Over the past 10 years, more than 20 privately run charter or contract schools have closed in Chicago.
A largely unasked question is becoming glaring: Is Illinois doing all it should to use artificial intelligence to make government cost less and work better? So far, the evidence says no.