Last year, numerous educators within the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system reported being directed by administrators to award passing grades to newly arrived migrant students, despite these students not meeting academic standards.
Several elementary school teachers told WGN Radio that they were instructed to grant migrant students a 70% grade in all subjects and approve their advancement to the next grade. The teachers expressed concerns as many of these students exhibited severe academic deficiencies, did not speak English and received no instruction in English as a second language. Compounding the issue, many teachers did not speak Spanish, the primary language of the students.
Pedro Martinez, CEO of CPS, confirmed last month that migrant students are held to the same academic standards as their American peers. Since 2022, Chicago has received nearly 50,000 illegal migrants, many of whom have arrived via bus from Texas. Approximately 13,000 migrants are currently receiving city-funded shelter.
The sudden influx of migrants has strained the city’s finances, leading to the allocation of over $400 million to address the crisis, including funding for private shelters. Many of the new arrivals have settled in predominantly Black neighborhoods, sparking tensions over the use of city resources.
At the same time, violent crime has been rising in Chicago, particularly over the past year. Data from August 2023 to July 2024 shows a 7.2% increase in overall violent crime, with robberies, aggravated assaults and batteries reaching five-year highs. Robberies alone account for over 36% of violent crime incidents, while batteries and assaults together make up 57%. Arrest rates have also been declining, with only 12.8% of violent crime cases resulting in arrests, the second-lowest rate in five years. This trend is occurring despite significant efforts by the city to invest in violence prevention programs.
Areas such as the West and South Sides are being hit the hardest, and there is growing concern over coordinated crime sprees targeting businesses. These trends have sparked debates over public safety policies, including the SAFE-T Act, which critics argue has emboldened criminals by limiting pre-trial detentions.
In short, while the city has invested heavily in crime reduction strategies, violent crime remains a significant issue.
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