New 5Essentials Survey benchmarks: Illinois and Chicago Public Schools (CPS)

In spring 2025, benchmarks were updated for 5Essentials Survey scores and ratings in Illinois and CPS. 

Survey benchmarks… 

Members of the Maasai tribe of Kenya traditionally greet each other with “Kasserian Ingera,” which translates to “And how are the children?” The customary response, “Sepati Ingera,” means “The children are well!” This exchange reflects a deeply held belief that children’s well-being is the best indicator of their society’s future health and prosperity. 

By this measure, America is struggling...

Chicago Public Schools serves over 320,00 students, who represent a higher proportion of students with greater needs compared to other districts in Illinois. Nearly 9 out of 10 Chicago Public Schools students are non-White — 47% are Latino, and 35% are Black. 

Despite the academic growth in ELA proficiency, Kids First Chicago Data Scientist Micaelan Gasperich points out that equity gaps are evident when these rates are broken up by demographics...

When Laura Link works with districts to review their grading policies, she starts by asking a simple question: What are grades for? 

Are grades meant to motivate students? To help teachers determine who needs more support? To inform parents of their children’s progress?

Chicago Public Schools officials are back at the bargaining table — this time, with the district’s principals. 

In February, CPS and the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association, the union representing school leaders, restarted contract talks after putting them on hold in the fall amid time-consuming and often contentious negotiations between the district and the Chicago Teachers Union. The district reached a tentative agreement with the CTU last week...

Save The Music’s old tagline was “Music Equals Brainpower.” But how does music improve the mind? How does playing music affect the brain? Is it actually true that playing an instrument makes you smarter? 

Among musicians, teachers, and parents, there is a strong intuitive sense that music education and academic performance are linked. But what do the research studies in music education say? How does music help the brain? How does music help you learn?

Key Findings

• About 70% of 5th-8th grade students continuously enrolled in non-charter CPS schools since fall 2017 were deemed eligible in summer or fall 2020 for Chicago Connected, based on their level of socioeconomic disadvantage.

After a career as a chef, Gloria Simpson knew she wanted to teach, and when she got the opportunity in 2002, she jumped at the chance to pursue her dream. 

Simpson spent 15 years as a culinary teacher in Chicago Public Schools until 2017, when she was forced into retirement, she said, after receiving a poor teaching evaluation. Simpson’s career came to an abrupt end due to what she called “principal manipulation.”

Event Overview

What insights and improvements are possible when school systems and research partners collaborate?

Chicagoans have built a data-informed culture throughout our city's education ecosystem. 

Hear from Chicago Public Schools leaders and research partners about bright spots and opportunities in evidence-informed strategy, practice, and policy in schools and the education ecosystem. 

This recorded discussion took place on March 13, 2025.