Why Chicago’s New Graduation Requirement Exacerbates Inequality
“Advocates say it’s a good way to make sure all of Chicago’s kids are on a path to a productive future. But critics argue that there aren’t enough resources to ensure that the rule doesn’t punish low-income students of color, who generally attend schools that lack the funds of their wealthier, whiter counterparts. Without adequate support, such as guidance counselors, it’s more likely that these disenfranchised students will have a harder time meeting the requirement—thus exacerbating the very inequality that the new rule aims to remedy. ‘Absolutely we want kids to go to college or have other plans post-graduation,’ says Federico Waitoller, a professor of education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. ‘But it’s the way you go about it: Don’t punish the students. Give them more resources and incentivize them.’”