U.S. District Court Judge Charles Kocoras today issued an order forcing the Chicago Public Schools to provide information about systemic problems in programs for English Language Learners (students who are not English proficient). Recent reports indicate that as many as 3,000 ELL students are receiving inadequate or substandard educational opportunities. In today's order, Judge Kocoras set forth a specific set of questions that 100 CPS' principals must answer regarding quality of ELL programs at his/her school.

The following statement can be attributed to Harvey Grossman, Legal Director:

"Judge Kocoras' ruling is an important step forward to insure that the Chicago Board of Education fulfills its commitment to make appropriate educational opportunities available for ELL students in Chicago public schools. These students deserve the full share of services guaranteed by CPS' agreement with the Department of Justice, not more delay and efforts by the school system to escape responsibility.

When the government sought information about the ELL programs, the Chicago Board of Education refused to agree to provide the information, and instead filed a motion to vacate the portion of a consent decree that required CPS to reveal the information. This was a gross breach of the obligation that the School Board committed to just three years earlier. Judge Kocoras appropriately denied that motion and ordered principals at schools selected by the Department of Justice to provide information about the adequacy of ELL programs in their schools. We look forward to analyzing that information and plan to take appropriate steps if that information reveals that ELL programs are inadequate. "