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EXCLUSIVE REPORT: A new policy within Chicago Public Schools (CPS) permits students identified as illegal immigrants to take unlimited excused absences. This allowance applies if they or their family members express concern over federal immigration enforcement actions nearby.
Documents reviewed by Defending Education, an education watchdog organization, reveal the full extent of the Attendance Coding for Safety Concerns Related to Federal Representative Activity policy. Under this policy, students can be marked as having an excused absence if a parent reports fear of immigration authorities.
According to the guidelines, actions by immigration enforcement are referred to as “federal representative-related procedures,” and CPS reaffirmed this policy through a school board vote in February.
The policy states that “If a parent or guardian reports an absence due to fear of federal representative-related procedures, schools can excuse the absence based on concerns for student health and safety.” Notably, this directive allows schools to document an absence without requiring extensive details. It simply emphasizes that the student’s safety could be compromised under current federal actions.
Moreover, the policy clearly indicates that there is no time limit imposed on how long this fear may be leveraged to claim excused absences.
To qualify for an excused absence, the reason must be communicated through one of CPS’s approved channels. In cases where a parent has been significantly affected by federal enforcement actions, they can appoint a guardian to notify the school regarding the need for an excused absence on the child’s behalf.
Additionally, the policy offers an alternative provision that allows students to receive excused absences for participating in what the school defines as a “Civic Event.” Such events are characterized as those hosted by nonprofit organizations or governmental bodies, which are open to public participation. They can encompass a range of activities, including artistic performances or educational sessions aligned with the sponsoring organization’s mission.
Kendall Tietz, a reporter with Defending Education, voiced significant concern over this policy. Tietz criticized the school system for effectively giving families a continuous excuse to keep their children out of class without limits or required documentation. She emphasized, “CPS should not use attendance policy as a tool to create a sanctuary for immigration issues. The focus should be on ensuring students attend school and that accurate attendance records are maintained. This approach risks promoting truancy and hampers collaboration with federal enforcement. Such a policy undermines both educational success and the integrity of the rule of law.”
Public funding plays a considerable role in CPS operations. The school district expects to receive more than $1.5 billion in federal taxpayer funds for the fiscal year 2024, according to its financial reports.
Amidst budget concerns, recent investigations shed light on CPS’s financial management. An audit by the Office of Inspector General uncovered $14.5 million in what it deemed “excessive” travel expenditures during fiscal years 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, academic performance is alarming, with only 30.5 percent of students in grades 3 to 8 achieving proficiency in reading, and a mere 18.3 percent demonstrating proficiency in math, as reported in spring 2024.
As the Chicago Public Schools grapple with dropping performance levels and increasing financial scrutiny, representatives from CPS did not respond to inquiries regarding the policy and its ramifications for student attendance and educational outcomes.
This policy raises critical questions about the balance between education and immigration enforcement, highlighting the need for clear guidelines that prioritize both student welfare and accountability.
In Summary: CPS’s approach to excused absences due to immigration fears may have long-lasting implications for the educational environment and overall effectiveness of absenteeism policies. As this situation develops, the focus remains on how schools manage attendance while adhering to state and federal laws.
