Cloud looms over CPS selective enrollment admissions

An alleged clout list at selective enrollment high schools has parents upset and questioning the integrity of the Chicago Public Schools.

Ron Huberman, chief executive officer for CPS, acknowledged that evidence recently surfaced suggesting that existing policies might not have been followed during the admissions process.

“CPS detected an anomaly as part of the normal course of business at a particular school. We then decided to launch an investigation. We also wanted to bring in an independent auditing firm (to review) the process,” Huberman said.

He added that an auditing firm has been hired to review the current process and report whether additional controls are recommended.

The CPS investigation resembles the one currently taking place at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana where it has been alleged that students with political clout were admitted over more qualified students.

The standard admissions practice for magnet schools is through a random lottery. For selective enrollment, high school admissions are based on merit and testing.

According to Malon Edwards, a CPS spokesman, there are nine selective enrollment; five magnet high schools and 46 magnet elementary schools that are exempted from the residency requirement neighborhood schools must adhere to. For neighborhood schools, if a student lives in the district, regardless of grades, the school must admit them.

The selective enrollment high schools are Gwendolyn Brooks, Jones College Prep, King College Prep, Lane Tech, Lindblom, North Side College Prep, Walter Payton and Whitney Young. Westinghouse will open this fall as a selective enrollment school.

And the five magnet high schools are Chicago Agriculture, Clark Academic Prep, Curie, DeVry Advantage Academy and Von Steuben.

______

To read the rest of this article, subscribe to our digital or paper edition. For previous editions, contact us for details.