By: Matt Rosenberg
Leading into Chicago’s most violent Memorial Day weekend in five years – leaving 42 wounded and 9 dead – the city suspended days off for cops and played up neighborhood hang-outs with live DJs. For teens and very young adults at risk as perpetrators or victims of violence, the idea was “give them something to do.” It didn’t work. The dismaying body count included two mass shootings. After the holiday weekend’s tragedies, one Chicagoan said, “The root issue is lack of opportunities. You got a lot of young people that don’t have parental help.”
Now we’re getting warm. How to create opportunity is debated fiercely. Perhaps that’s as it should be. But really, we’re running out of time. So let’s just say it: opportunity for at-risk kids has to include full-on, raging K-12 school choice. So that children from low-income households can benefit from high-expectations learning and get on a path to career and life success.
Without that shift in priorities, things will continue as they are. No one can claim urban violence will quickly or fully cease once stronger school choice programs such as school vouchers take hold in Illinois.
But we need to make pathways to successful adult life wider and longer. No one could be happy with the baseline conditions. Eighty percent of Chicago homicide victims are blacks and 70 percent or more of known perps are black, according to Chicago Police data. Black population in the city has declined 34 percent between the 1.2 million of 1980 and the nearly 800,000 of 2021.
Eight of ten black children in Chicago and eight of ten in Illinois were born to unmarried mothers in 2020. In 2019, 72 percent of black children in Illinois lived in single-parent homes although only two in ten black adults were incarcerated.
Kids are far more greatly at risk if they’re born to unmarried mothers, as social scientists have reported again and again. But parents aren’t the only players here.
Together, parents, students, teachers, and school administrators are responsible for academic outcomes. In Chicago Public Schools (CPS), those outcomes are bleak, though. Only 17 percent of K-8 black students in CPS and 25 percent of Latino students can read at grade level, according to 2019 State Report Card data.
With results like that, you wouldn’t expect anyone to get high marks, including teachers.
Yet in a special report on school districts statewide, Wirepoints recently found more than 90 percent of CPS teachers were rated excellent or proficient.
How can more than nine of ten teachers get a passing grade when more than one of four students are badly below par on reading?
The system is rigged because it’s failing. There is no excuse for this.
Reading is a crucial building block for academic competency and for advancement in education and the workplace. That includes blue-collar jobs like construction and auto repair.
The take-away: 100-plus charter schools in Chicago and a small handful more statewide isn’t enough. We need real school choice in Illinois through school vouchers.
The prevailing wisdom has been that in Illinois school vouchers remain illegal because of Article X of the State Constitution, which bars use of public funds for “sectarian purposes” including religious-affiliated schools. However, a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court case which started in Montana has likely changed all of that by affirming the Constitutional right to school choice for families.
The governor and state legislature of Illinois should test the boundaries by approving school vouchers. In Chicago nearly 80 percent of public school students are low-income versus half statewide. They need to enjoy the choices, the options, that children from more well-off families do.
Nationwide 34 states offer some form or forms of school choice. In Indiana, there are four kinds of school choice, including vouchers of almost $5,000 per student for which 80 percent of families with school-age children are eligible. In Florida, there are three kinds of school choice encompassing five separate choice programs. One is per-student vouchers worth an annual average of $7,300, for which more than half the state’s households are eligible.
In Illinois, the state has made a modest start on school choice. First, there are very modest tax credits to help offset school-related expenses. Second, there is the state’s current “vouchers lite” pilot program called Invest in Kids. It’s a pilot which currently ends next year. Through a state tax income credit, it draws funds from private donors that get funneled to needy families for private school tuition.
But the demand for private school tuition greatly exceeds the available financial assistance. Last year the largest scholarship-granting organization tied to Invest In Kids had a waiting list of 26,000 students. At the individual private-school level, the number of students who are granted Invest In Kids scholarships may be as little as one-ninth the number of students on the waiting list.
Illinois may want a form of choice that does vouchers one better. That’s something called Education Savings Accounts, or ESAs. An ESA is a savings account funded by the state that’s expressly used for a child’s education. An ESA lets parents spend on education that’s best suited to their child’s needs. The result of ESAs? Flexibility, competition, and excellence.
Inevitably, teachers unions would mount a legal change to vouchers or ESAs in Illinois.
Fine. Let’s have the fight.
Read more from Wirepoints:
- Poor student achievement and near-zero accountability: An indictment of Illinois’ public education system
- Ongoing teen violence puts parenting at center stage in Chicago
- Bleeding people: New IRS migration data shows Illinois lost another 100,000 residents and a record amount of wealth in 2020
- False advertising of Illinois’ new ‘property tax relief’ bill
- About that U.S. Census “undercount”: Illinois’ population is still just 12.8 million
Audio and summary 
If this bill passes, say goodbye to local control over all Illinois parks and expect to see open drug and alcohol use, needles, no sanitation and fire hazards, but no ordinary park users.
My pet peeve. Statewide reading proficiency amongst 3rd graders, 39% proficiency. Long overdue challenge! But we have so, so many challenges here is this creepy blue state that was once so vital!
The bottom line is we are now raising the third generation of “Professional victims.” We have allowed them to be victims and have started to legally provide them outs, because they are victims. No, they are criminals, poor parents and people who don’t think beyond bedtime. I recall and episode of “Mary Tyler Moore,” Where Mary and Rhoda call out Georgette who claims “They don’t like Ted,” by telling her she is a “professional victim” and if Ted is using her it’s her own fault. That would NEVER happen today. Until this way of thinking is changed, nothing will get… Read more »
John Stossell did a segment years ago on this subject. Essentially saying to make every school a “ private” school, and to compete for customers, like any other business. Parents with vouchers could shop for a school that fits their needs, and failing schools would be held accountable, by being shut down, or get new management. Common sense, but, we know that’s not allowed in Illinois government.
John Stossel shows were called “Stupid in America” Here is one of them aired on 5-6-12. The only thing changed from the numbers he showed that they are worse now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icHcYNGXvjU
Great article Matt ! It has always amazed me that the voters of Chicago continued to allow schools to slip. Why hasn’t school choice been pushed ? The standards slip year after year. And taxes keep going up
Not me, anyone who CHOOSES to live in Chicago knows that a private school is part of the cost of choosing to live in Chicago. Those who don’t choose to live in Chicago but haven’t found a way out have no choice but to accept it.
Wow! A very excellent read. Thank you Matt for exposing the many toxic influences (homicide rate, incarceration, fatherlessness, etc.) that contribute to the ongoing plight of the Black community in big cities like Chicago. These issues contribute heavily to the systemic rates of decline portrayed by the majority of Blacks in Chicago’s public schools, where not even 20% are capable of reading or computing basic math. I support your push for school choice (particularly vouchers) that financially empower parents (or a parent) to send their kids to more hospitable educational environments where they can carve more productive futures and have… Read more »
Here are three lines from Matt’s that clearly list the depth of the catastrophe: 1) “You got a lot of young people that don’t have parental help.” 2) Inevitably, teachers unions would mount a legal change to vouchers or ESAs in Illinois. 3) Fine. Let’s have the fight. The parents in question are clueless. They are beyond reach. These kids’ own parents have set them on paths to utter destruction. What can be done? Democrats thrive on misery and poverty. They draw their power from it. The teachers unions have completely co-opted the presstocricy. They are co-conspirators. I believe in… Read more »
It’s impossible to get across to politicians in Illinois and especially Chicago that the Gang (thug ) life is not fading away anytime soon. THINK OF THIS WHEN CONTEMPLATING THE VIOLENCE AND THE MAYHEM BEING PERPETRATED ON CHICAGO’S STREETS,8-OF 10 BLACK CHILDREN IN BOTH CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS ARE BORN TO UNMARRIED MOTHERS WITH NO FATHER FIGURES IN THE HOME. IT’S NO SECRET THAT WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE GANG LEADERS ARE SWIFT TO FILL THAT VOID. YOUNG TEENS ARE TARGETS OF ALL THE GANGS IN THE CHICAGO AREA- THEY ARE BEING USED AS LOOKOUTS AND MULES AND RUNNERS OF ILLICIT DRUGS… Read more »
This how schools undermine real education. https://www.facebook.com/104858688010432/posts/580693967093566/
Massive school choice would be a good start. Still, unless the State and Chicago address the horrendous crime on its streets which seems to be aided by liberal policies, there will be nothing left of the school system as those that can afford it move away, homeschool, or send kids to private school’s. Unions are not interested in children’s futures, only in their power over your tax dollars. It’s time to start building strong families and highlight the morals and values our grandparents taught us.
this is an excellent idea but it still represents a bandage was opposed to a cure. The entire education system needs to be ‘rebooted’ with far more control given to the local school districts and answerable to the parents. As long as the NEA and it’s political agenda is allowed to control the education the kids -and their futures- will be horribly compromised. It is no accident that the best educations still out there were ones BEFORE the department of education was elevated to cabinet level by Carter in 1977. Classical, fully rounded and literate scholastics started disappearing fast. Now… Read more »
Two items–the ESA’s need to immediately be funded by the state. And those accounts need to be in a vacuum, totally separate from Pritzker and/or influence by the CTU. Face it–the union is in a death spiral of the worst kind. I feel for the teachers themselves–talk about a noble job for those really invested–but they are being led by those concerned about themselves backing the 10%–HAH–not getting a passing grade in that ‘special report’.
I trust that Paul Vallas will speak specifically to these points sooner rather than later.
“The system is rigged because it’s failing. There is no excuse for this. ” The heart of this is the election system is broken, crumbled, riddled w vermin of the worst of the worst. The crime, schools, taxes, NOTHING will be adjusted until the evil is destroyed of the ‘leadership’ that wrought this upon our families. VOTE June 28th. Every RHINO every Demonrat incumbent needs to be fired. If not us, who? If not now, perhaps never. You know truth in your self, take that truth to the booth. Only in mass numbers will we have a chance for them not… Read more »
Teachers Unions run education and design it for adults, not the kids. School choice is favored by parents everywhere but dems won’t allow it because all they care about is power. Choice gives parents power. BLM is against vouchers and school choice. There’s a very clear pattern here: Dems use race for power.
We are watching society deteriorate in front of us. Part of the problem with education in Chicago is the Chicago Teachers Union who has virtually destroyed opportunities for those schoolkids that attend CPS. These parents, especially those who’s kids are “at risk” desperately need school choice because the CPS will not provide that opportunity.
Tim, CPS charter schools are one option and some are higher performing. But Mayor Lightfoot in 2019 signed a binding agreement at the union’s request to cap growth in charter school seats within Chicago’s public schools. The union is scared of competition and so sought successfully to freeze in amber the size and scope of competition. It’s that bad.
Bingo
I appreciate this article treating this issue gently, so as to not enflame. But let’s put responsibility where it needs to be – on the parents. It seems that many of these parents either don’t know how to parent properly, or don’t care to put in the work to do so. I understand that it is very difficult for working, single parents, and for that I have some sympathy. But in that scenario, all “pleasure” time needs to be shelved, and your kids should be your sole project during non-working hours. Hey, they don’t have to be, but then don’t… Read more »
With strictly private capital and grassroots support, the legislature would not be able to block this rural live-in charter school campus. And community support would burgeon as funds are raised and the word is spread. Removing kids from toxic high-crime gang-infested environments would be key, and this idea recognizes that. Thanks for putting this provocative idea forward.
Thank you Mr. Rosenberg. I’m a big fan of your writing. I’ve had this idea in the back of my mind for years. It’s about teaching kids how to live life. We are told over and over about how the military changes lives, because it introduces order and discipline, and then higher concepts like loyalty and pride. It starts with the basics, and then builds. I’m suggesting that level of intensity, but with the goal of eventual societal contribution in mind, rather than national defense. I envision this school to be K-12, and to have everything needed to instill in… Read more »
It would also require prosecution and incarceration of current gangbangers to stop the recruitment cycle in addition to removing potential new recruits from the community, while recognizing that the criminal element will pop up elsewhere, and be ready to handle that criminal element too. Simply taking kids out of the inner city and plunking them in the middle of nowhere won’t end their relationships with their fathers, uncles, grandfathers and friends on social media still deeply involved in the gang life. Gangs are an deeply embedded integrated part of life in the community. Everyone in the community knows gang members,… Read more »
Good counterpoint, but our imaginary boarding school would not allow for social media access. It is not necessary to growing up. No cell phones, either. These are unnecessary distractions that kids didn’t even have as late as 15 years ago. We spent centuries without these things…we don’t need them now.
Your point on gang culture is agreed. But I also think that every minute a kid is working on learning life and focused on school is one less minute hanging out on a corner with gang member “mentors.” It gives the kids an alternative path.
So you’re cutting them off completely from friends, family members and support networks they’ve known their entire lives? This is too much like Stalin’s forced relocations, it’s not possible to remove kids from the gangs and expect them to be an island of civic ideal in a swamp of gangs. One problem with prison is recidivism because felons leave prison and return to the same failed and toxic network that got them into prison in the first place. And we tried this once before too: we put all the most violent gang leaders in jail, within my lifetime, and as… Read more »
This is not a forced relocation. It is an option for parents (and kids) who are overwhelmed and want the choice. I think it’s also an option for troubled kids as a judicial order, rather than going to jail. I don’t know, but it seems better than the status quo. Also, I don’t see why both things can’t be done at the same time; which is to have severe penalties for gangs that are actually enforced. And, my thought is that this school starts young, like at 5 years old. Then the “network” you speak of is at school, not… Read more »
I should also point out that the boarding school idea has worked for the delinquent kids of wealthy parents as well. The common element is a neglect for proper parenting, whether rich or poor. I think it’s even less excusable for wealthy parents, as they at least have the resources, but are making a conscious choice of making their kids secondary in their lives.
This school attempts to fix these problems by giving these kids the guidance they’ve never before received, with some discipline to help them live life successfully on their own.
I happened upon a story the other day as I was flittering around my home. I paused to take a listen. The story was about a young high school student. He was signing a letter of intent. Yes yes we have seen many of these moments. What made this one different? He was signing a letter of intent to join a plumbing company. He would be joining the company after his high school graduation. I thought wow! A novel idea here. Not all kids get athletic scholarships. Do we need more things like this? I don’t know. In basic terms… Read more »
The moves in local, city, and even federal bodies to formally lower educational performance assessment standards is inimical. All the more so because that gets dressed up as social progress. I expect we’ll be taking a closer look at recent developments there.
Sadly, JD Pritzker effectively attempted to end ‘Invest in Kids’ after election at the behest of the Teachers Union. Pretty certain that after Pritzkers re-election the ‘Invest in Kids’ act will be left to expire.
At least the fight would help further the corruption and devious intent of the CPS union. Light makes roaches scatter. More light on the union will help do the same.making someone have to defend the indefensible is what we need. So yes. Bring it on.
“A special report on school districts statewide found 90 % of CPS teachers rated excellent or proficient”?-really?-who wrote THAT report,the union bosse?-hilarious!-When you all gonna realize that CPS union could care less about the students,its ALL about pay and exhorbinant pensions
As I’ve said, it’s a TEACHER’S union. Solely and entirely for the benefit of teachers. It does not have any interest in the children, except as a means to promote and secure their own ends, primarily their social agenda. That is not to say that there are not some truly wonderful persons in the Chicago public school system, but they are in a minority and cowed into submission by the majority of union members.
Nuclear families, decent educational opportunities and removal of the nanny state are the steps to take.
School choice will never happen as long as the teachers union controls the politicians its that SIMPLE
And as long as voters keep electing politicians that cater to the teachers unions.
I detect some cognitive dissonance in the notion of “school choice” where the student’s parent(s) or guardians are clueless or uninvolved. Many of these aimless children are mentor-free in unstable precarious situations. There ought to be a default program that teaches them to read, write, calculate and floss. Perhaps some sketch of ethics and values as well. I’m not sure who can be trusted with these tasks — teacher burn-outs, woke administrators, government social workers … Otherwise, its Lord of the Flies churning out future citizens and voters.
Many parents with kids in Chicago public schools – blacks and Latinos especially – have opted already for high-expectations charter schools within CPS and many others have escaped entirely for private religious schools. Something is brewing. But not all are clued in about getting out.
Very true Matt. I’d have to contend those applying to Charter or Magnet programs, come from two parent involved families, married or apart.
Education savings accounts, and also Health savings accounts, should be available in Illinois, as in other states.
Parents would also have to modify the “instant gratification lifestyle”, sacrificing now, for the future good, which may be a hard sell.
So many opportunities are out there, I’ve known many minority co-workers that have taken advantage of them, up to college education basically for free.