Trump administration is all over Chicago schools Black-only ‘Success Plan’

The Trump Department of Education has launched an investigation into Chicago Public Schools (CPS) over a racially discriminatory program.

The program, known as the “Black Student Success Plan,” offers remedial solutions for only black students who are struggling academically.

CPS launched the program during Black History Month in February with the goal of “undoing all obstacles to [b]lack student success.” The program was several years in the making.

At the event, @PedroCPSCEO reaffirmed the District’s commitment and work to support Black students by strengthening restorative justice practices, creating a Black Student Success Plan to help Chicago students reach new academic growth & expanding partnerships with organizations. pic.twitter.com/g2MDuJKLaF

— CPS – Chicago Public Schools (@ChiPubSchools) November 7, 2023

“This plan is a key step in the District’s ongoing commitment to eliminating educational opportunity gaps and ensuring [b]lack students have the support needed to achieve academic success and personal growth,” a CPS press release reads.

“The plan will center on implementing culturally-responsive practices and instruction, ensuring equitable resource allocation, increasing the recruitment and retention of [b]lack educators and leaders, and fostering meaningful engagement with [b]lack students and families,” it continues.

Then, in late February, the Parents Defending Education nonprofit filed a complaint with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, accusing the program of being discriminatory.

Another recent OCR complaint filed on behalf of Parents Defending Education highlights Chicago Public Schools’ “Black Student Success Plan,” while at the same time the district acknowledges that Chicago students of all races struggle academically. pic.twitter.com/oOfjjJHZ4d

— Carrie Severino (@JCNSeverino) March 5, 2025

“No student should be denied an educational opportunity because of the color of their skin, yet perversely, that’s exactly what Chicago Public Schools has chosen to do – despite the fact that the district’s own data clearly demonstrates that students of all races are struggling academically,” Parents Defending Education president and founder Nicole Neily said in a statement.

Two months later, the department finally launched an investigation into the matter, citing Parents Defending Education’s complaint.

Neily is pleased.

“We are grateful that the Department of Education has opened an investigation into this injustice,” she said. “The education provided by CPS enabled my family to rebuild their lives after leaving the internment camps in California during WWII – which is why I find it particularly lamentable that the system now encourages treating students differently on the basis of race.”

Trouble brewing at CPS, again.

The Trump Adm. is investigating CPS over its “Black Student Success Plan.”

A plan which discriminates on the basis of race, the program is in violation to Chapter VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Trump should withhold federal aid to CPS. pic.twitter.com/qdZIRo8Wba

— Chicago Contrarian (@ChicagoContrar1) May 1, 2025

Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor also released a statement.

“Chicago Public Schools have a record of academic failure, leaving students from all backgrounds and races struggling and ill-prepared to meet the challenges and enjoy the rewards of contemporary American life,” he said. “Rather than address its record honestly, CPS seeks to allocate additional resources to favored students on the basis of race.”

“The Trump-McMahon Department of Education will not allow federal funds, provided for the benefit of all students, to be used in this pernicious and unlawful manner. To CPS, I say this: Every American student deserves access to a quality education, and the Trump Administration will fight tirelessly to uphold that ideal and ensure all students are treated equally under law,” he added.

Every student deserves a high-quality education.

ED’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has opened a Title VI investigation into the Chicago Public Schools for allegedly having an academic initiative that discriminates on the basis of race: https://t.co/ey1bIc5xN4 pic.twitter.com/upZfjG8BHJ

— U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) April 30, 2025

This is just step one to fixing Chicago. More steps will likely be needed, given how entrenched the backwards tenets of so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are embedded in the system.

For example, the Illinois State Board of Education has an entire page on its website dedicated to DEI. CPS likewise has its own DEI page “to assist school teams in their DEI planning.”

This isn’t Parents Defending Education’s first victory.

“Parents Defending Education filed a similar civil-rights complaint against Los Angeles Unified School District in 2023, alleging its Black Student Achievement Plan was discriminatory,” according to The Wall Street Journal.

The district wound up changing its program altogether.

Senior Staff Writer
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V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.

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