Black Student Achievement Committee FAQs
What Is The Difference Between the Black Student Achievement Committee and the Black Student Success Plan?
The Black Student Achievement Committee, part of the Chicago School Board, acts as both a strategic guide and an accountability mechanism.
The Black Student Success Plan by contrast is executed by Chicago Public Schools, as part of the 5-year strategic plan recently released (Success 2029: Together We Rise), but it is monitored and publicly evaluated through structures and benchmarks established by the Black Student Achievement Committee. This ensures continuous feedback, data transparency, and goal alignment.
| Black Student Achievement Committee (BSAC) | Black Student Success Plan (BSSP) | |
Type | Governance and oversight body | Strategic action plan |
| Established By | State legislation (Public Act 103-0584) | CPS initiative based on community input and informed by recommendations from the Working Groups. |
| Primary Function | Policy development and progress monitoring | Implementation of targeted district strategies |
| Composition | Board members and appointed stakeholders | Developed with input from working groups and community roundtables |
| Reporting | Provides regular updates to the Board and the public | Progress monitored and reported as per BSAC guidelines |
Are Either of these Initiatives Under Fire?
Yes, the Black Student Success Plan is the subject of a federal investigation by the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR).
How Do Federal Attacks on the Black Student Success Plan Impact the Black Student Achievement Committee?
The federal inquiry into the Black Student Success Plan by the Trump administration could absolutely have significant consequences for the Black Student Achievement Committee — both legally and operationally — depending on the outcome and scope of the investigation.
- BSAC and BSSP are tightly linked:
- The BSAC provides the oversight, policy guidance, and accountability framework for the BSSP.
- The BSSP implements initiatives under the strategic direction set by BSAC.
- If BSSP is found to violate federal civil rights laws (e.g., Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race in federally funded programs), the BSAC could also be scrutinized, particularly if its programs are seen as race-specific or preferential.
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is investigating whether CPS is discriminating against non-Black students by:
- Prioritizing Black students in resource allocation or staffing.
- Creating programs that explicitly exclude or disadvantage others.
If this legal argument is upheld, any race-specific strategies within the BSSP (like hiring goals for Black male teachers or programs only for Black students) could be deemed legally vulnerable.
How Can I Take Action?
With the Black Student Success Plan under attack, it’s all the more important that we fight to strengthen the committee. Given the committee’s vulnerability in its current state, it starts with fully appointing members and moving quickly to do so.
Tell the Board: Appoint Members of the Black Student Achievement Committee!
You can also contribute to the critical work and advocacy by signing the declaration and becoming an E4E member today. Becoming a member will allow you to stay up to date with what’s happening and learn about further actions you can take.