Chicago Schools Struggle to Meet Needs of Rising Migrant Student Population

Teachers and advocates call for increased federal funding to bolster bilingual education and support services amid ongoing migrant crisis.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are experiencing an influx of migrant students, with over 34,000 migrants arriving in the city since August 2022, leading to a significant increase in the number of students requiring bilingual education and other support services.
Teachers and advocates are calling for more federal funding to help schools meet the needs of these students, including providing bilingual education, transportation, and basic necessities.
CPS has seen a decline in the number of designated bilingual teachers in recent years, despite an increase in students requiring bilingual or English as a second language education.
Teachers are advocating for the district to cover 100% of tuition costs for educators seeking a bilingual endorsement, as the current coverage is only 50%.
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates has emphasized that the city lacks the infrastructure to handle the migrant crisis and is calling for collaboration beyond the city to address the issue.