CPS Issues Request For Proposals For New Charter Schools

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 14, 2013 2:40PM

Inside the Charles H. Shaw Technology and Learning Center, aka "Power House High," in 2010. (Photo credit: Laurie Chipps)

Chicago Public Schools quietly posted a “request for proposals” on its website Monday inviting charter school groups to apply to build schools in what the district calls priority neighborhoods on the city’s Southwest and Northwest sides where CPS-run schools have complained of overcrowding. The bidding process comes nearly three months after CPS closed 50 schools they said were underutilized.

Among the school options the district is looking for are what they call “Next Generation” schools blending online classes with teaching in physical schools, schools that blend fine arts with core educational curriculum, dual language models and schools well-steeped in humanities teaching and social science. “New schools should embody the five pillars that CPS believes will help increase graduation rates, academic preparedness for college and career, entry into college, military and employment, and persistence and success in college and employment,” the proposal (which we’ve included below for review) reads.

CPS spokeswoman Keiana Barrett told the Sun-Times “we need to pursue all options throughout all geographies since we can’t simply build our way out of the overcrowding challenges on the Southwest and Northwest sides.” But Wendy Katten of parents group Raise Your Hand and Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis criticized the RFP coming so soon after the school closings, especially as CPS continues to claim a $1 billion budget deficit.

Katten told the Sun-Times some of the 11 priority neighborhoods had schools that were on CPS’ original closing list. According to the RFP, all applicants must hold community meetings with neighborhood advisory councils comprising of parents, community groups and business and political leaders. Katten applauded that move but added the district really “has no interest” in a transparent process.

Lewis told WBEZ the RFP isn’t surprising. “We were called conspiracy theorists, and then here is the absolute proof of what the intentions are…. The district has clearly made a decision that they want to push privatization of our public schools.”

CPS will have 125 charter schools in operation when schools open Aug. 26.

Chicago Public Schools Request For Proposal for New Charter Schools