CPS Strategic Plan

Clients: Chicago Public Schools (CPS)

Challenge: In September 2023, the Chicago Board of Education announced the launch of Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) next Five-Year Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan will use components of the existing CPS Three-Year Blueprint, which was supported by Civic Consulting Alliance and pro bono partner Slalom. CPS’s executive leadership team has been working to set a new vision for CPS and has designated three pillars: 1) a quality experience for every student, 2) resources and conditions for success in every school, and 3) access to quality and options in every community. Much of the foundational work has been completed and CPS now needs support translating this vision into a detailed strategic plan.

Action: Civic Consulting Alliance staff provided coaching and thought partnership support to the CPS leadership team responsible for putting together the next CPS Five-Year Strategic Plan. This builds on our deep knowledge and experience supporting CPS strategy, most recently through the three-year Blueprint, putting CPS on a strong footing to address the widening post-pandemic racial gaps in academic outcomes. We also supported the Black Student Success Working Group, which is tasked with developing recommendations that will be included in the Five-Year Strategic Plan.

Result: The Five-Year Strategic Plan will chart CPS’ course forward by building upon the foundation laid by the CPS Blueprint. This new plan, developed based on feedback from almost 14,000 stakeholders, builds on successful practices implemented as CPS navigated the complex challenges and opportunities emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic while naming key strategies to address critical priority areas in order to ensure that every student, in every school, in every community has a rigorous, joyful, and equitable daily learning experience.