The enrollment numbers of migrant students in Chicago Public Schools are a topic of debate and concern as different agencies provide varying figures. According to CPS data, about 8,900 migrant students are currently attending local schools. However, when using the Illinois State Board of Education’s definition for students eligible for the Immigrant Education Program, the number climbs to more than 17,000.
The accurate count of immigrant students arriving and enrolling in local public schools is crucial as schools strive to support newcomers from Latin America and other countries worldwide. A proposal in the Illinois legislature aims to provide funding to districts faster to assist new students.
The discrepancy in enrollment numbers arises from different definitions and methods of categorizing newly arrived students. Chicago Public Schools and the Illinois State Board of Education produced different numbers in response to an information request from Chalkbeat for migrant student enrollment numbers.
State Rep. Fred Crespo has filed bills to create a New Arrivals Grant program to distribute funding to school districts needing more support for new arrival students. The proposed budget by Gov. J.B. Pritzker did not include money for newcomers requested by the Illinois State Board of Education, prompting concerns from local education advocates about the growing need for resources to support immigrant students.
As state lawmakers debate including the New Arrivals Grant program in the budget, the issue of accurately capturing the number of immigrant students served by districts remains a challenge due to families’ transient nature and movement between communities. Bridget Peach, executive director of Ed-Red, emphasizes the importance of addressing the unique needs of migrant students in the education system.