It seems we stood and talked like this before—but this time, things are different

It’s the old story over and over again. How many articles or posts have you read about public schools losing kids? Or about parents doing whatever they can to pull their kids out of failing schools to give their kids a chance to learn to read and write.

Well, here is a new episode of that story. This one is about Chicago:

Demographics aren’t the only reason enrollment at Chicago Public Schools is dropping. A larger percentage of Chicago families are sending their kids to private schools.

A new report from the trusted Kids First Chicago shows that CPS is serving a smaller share of the city’s school-age population, evidence that parental choice is in no small part behind CPS’ enrollment woes. In 2018, CPS enrolled about 75% of Chicago’s school-age children. By 2023, that share had fallen to roughly 71%.

Had CPS maintained its earlier share, the district would be serving approximately 18,000 more students today, according to the report.

Yes, demographics are behind much of the enrollment decline. Chicago, like much of the country, is experiencing a sharp decline in births, and some families are leaving the city altogether. But the loss of market share points to something more consequential: a growing share of families who remain in Chicago are choosing not to enroll their children in CPS.

Choosing not to enroll! Talk about the ultimate “thumbs down.” The parents, or the people who love their kids and want them to succeed in the real world, are doing whatever they can to walk away from failed public schools.

How is Mayor Johnson reacting to this? He is probably blaming President Trump. After all, aren’t all of Chicago’s problems the fault of # 47?

Where is Governor Pritzker? He is running for president, and charming the teachers’ union is an important step in getting the Democrat nomination. So, forget him or forget hoping that he will do anything to save the kids. After all, I’m guessing that his kids went to expensive private schools and are doing just fine.

Where is the teachers’ union? Well, they keep telling us that the problem is money or that Illinois taxpayers are not doing their “fair share” to keep the bureaucracy moving forward.

And the parents? They want out and are doing their best to get their kids out.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

American Thinker:  

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/01/it_seems_we_stood_and_talked_like_this_before_but_this_time_things_are_different.html