The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced that Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of 10 school districts in Illinois that has been selected to participate in an innovative competency-based learning pilot program. The pilot is designed to provide students with a customized learning and evaluation structure that emphasizes mastery of skills as opposed to time in the classroom to improve preparation for college, career and life. This pilot program is part of CPS’ commitment to providing students with a 21st-century education, using innovative tools, resources and approaches that are designed to meet the needs of all students. The CPS schools selected for the competency-based pilot represent a diverse selection of students from across the city. Six diverse schools across Chicago were selected to participate in this program after demonstrating the ability to successfully carry out the pilot. Programs will vary based on current resources and structures in place at each school and to best suit the needs of each student population. Participating CPS schools include:

• Gwendolyn Brooks: Selective Enrollment school on the far south side (Grades 7-12)
• Southside Occupational: Transitional school for special needs (Ages 16- 21)
• Lindblom Math & Science Academy: Selective Enrollment school on the south side (Grades 7-12)
• York High School: Learning facility within the Cook County jail for young adults awaiting adjudication (Ages 18-21)
• Benito Juarez Community Academy: Neighborhood school with an IB curriculum on the near south side (Grades 9-12)
• Walter Payton: Selective Enrollment school on Chicago’s north side (Grades 9-12)