CPS Fails Student So Student Bails On CPS

By Staff in News on Mar 14, 2010 4:20PM

After waiting a month for Chicago Public Schools to provide him with a federally mandated bus service to and from his Chicago home to school, a high school student with cerebral palsy has decided to give up on the CPS and seek education elsewhere. Termel Jennings, who was an honor student at a high school in Joliet, had hoped to continue his education upon moving in with his aunt in Chicago. When Jennings enrolled at Fenger High School in early February, he was told that the bus service from his aunt's home on the Far South Side to Fenger High School would begin within two weeks. Five weeks went by without any word from the Chicago Public School system or its representatives, and frustrated by the lack of communication in addition to being unable to go to school, Jennings made a decision to withdraw from Fenger High School.

In Joliet, the Tribune reports that Jennings "had a special education plan that called for transportation with an aide, as well as a one-on-one aide to help with note-taking and moving him from class to class." Although CPS representatives stated that they are anxious to get the problem solved and want Jennings to remain patient about the situation, it is unclear whether or not Jennings will rethink his decision and stay enrolled at Fenger. Jennings is likely to return to school in Joliet, and he is entitled to a bus service from his Chicago home to his school in Joliet under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Post By: Soyoung Kwak