Saving CPS is not an easy task by any means, but our schools can be returned to centers of learning
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are in crisis, and it’s impossible to ignore the role the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) plays in Chicago’s ongoing educational failures. The CTU wields immense influence — over the mayor, city budget, and school policies — yet students, parents, and taxpayers continue to pay the price for a dysfunctional system.
The question is no longer whether CPS is broken, but how to fix it.
The problems
1. Poor Performance, High Costs: CPS students consistently underperform on basic literacy and numeracy metrics, with only about 30 percent reading at grade level. Meanwhile, Chicago teachers are among the highest-paid in the nation, earning well above the city’s median income. Despite this, the return on investment for taxpayers is abysmal.
2. Absenteeism and Accountability: Teacher absenteeism reportedly hovers around 40 percent, while student truancy is even higher. Yet, no concrete solutions are implemented. Critics argue that the CTU focuses on protecting its members rather than ensuring student success, creating a cycle of unaccountability.
3. Union Overreach: CTU’s grip on city politics is undeniable. From negotiating contracts to influencing mayoral elections, the union is often accused of prioritizing its agenda over student needs. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration, elected with CTU backing, exemplifies this dynamic. Critics fear that this dual role — advocating for teachers while influencing city policy — leaves students as an afterthought.
4. Inefficient Resource Allocation: Despite declining enrollment, CPS continues to increase teacher headcount, leading to unsustainable budgets. Instances of schools with more staff than students highlight systemic inefficiencies, compounded by rising pension obligations that drain city resources.
5. Broken Discipline and Parental Accountability: Teachers and parents alike describe a lack of discipline in schools, where students face few consequences for disruptive behavior. Parents, often disengaged, are equally criticized for failing to support their children’s education, creating an environment where learning is nearly impossible.
The solutions
1. Enforce Accountability: Both CPS and CTU must accept responsibility for the system’s failures. Teachers should be evaluated based on performance, including test scores and attendance. Transparency is essential — public access to metrics like teacher absenteeism and student outcomes can drive improvement.
2. Privatization and School Choice: The idea of privatizing Chicago’s public schools or expanding school choice through vouchers is gaining traction. Allowing parents to use public funds for private or charter schools could introduce competition, incentivizing CPS to improve its services.
3. Discipline Reform: Reintroducing stricter disciplinary policies could restore order in classrooms, enabling teachers to focus on education. Schools should partner with parents to enforce standards of behavior, ensuring students understand the value of respect and accountability.
4. Rethink CTU’s Role: CTU’s dual role as a labor union and political powerhouse is unsustainable. Separating its influence from city governance is crucial to creating a fair negotiation process that prioritizes students over special interests.
5. Cut Bureaucracy, Redirect Funds: With 45–55 percent of property tax dollars going to CPS, taxpayers deserve to see results. This means cutting administrative overhead, consolidating underutilized schools, and redirecting funds to classrooms. Every dollar should directly benefit students.
6. Focus on Early Childhood Education: Studies show that early childhood education can significantly improve long-term outcomes. Investing in pre-K programs and parental education initiatives can address systemic issues before they manifest in classrooms.
A call for change
As Chicagoans grow increasingly frustrated, the demand for solutions is louder than ever. CPS and CTU must adapt — or face the consequences of continued public outrage. The city’s future depends on its ability to educate its children effectively, and the time for excuses has long passed.
It’s time to hold CPS accountable, reform the CTU’s outsized influence, and put students first. Only then can Chicago rebuild its public education system and provide every child the opportunity to succeed.
Do you have ideas or opinions about how to fix CPS? Share them with us at the Chicago Contrarian's contact page.
