No Post-Graduation Plan? No Graduation, Proposes Mayor Emanuel

Rahm Emanuel
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks during a press conference in Janary. Matt Marton / Associated Press
Rahm Emanuel
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks during a press conference in Janary. Matt Marton / Associated Press

No Post-Graduation Plan? No Graduation, Proposes Mayor Emanuel

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Mayor Rahm Emanuel has put forth a proposal to alter the graduation requirements for Chicago Public Schools. If his plan passes, before CPS graduating seniors can receive their diploma, they will need to show proof of a post-graduation plan. Under the proposal, which is expected to come up for a vote before the Chicago Board of Education in the coming weeks, high school seniors beginning with the Class of 2020 will need to have a job offer or an acceptance letter from a college, military, trade or “gap year” program.

The bold proposal has drawn both support and criticism. Some say it will help students think more seriously about planning for their future. Others argue the government should not be involved and that the decision should remain between students and their families.

Morning Shift talks to Miranda Johnson, associate director of the Education Law and Policy Institute at Loyola University School of Law, about the mayor’s proposal and what this means for the future of graduating CPS students.