catalyst-chicago.org

Overcrowding is often considered to be primarily a concern in Latino schools and neighborhoods, but a small yet significant number of overcrowded elementary schools are predominantly African American, according to a Catalyst Chicago analysis of CPS data for the current school year.

About one out of four, or 32, overcrowded schools is majority-black the analysis found. About half are predominantly Hispanic; largely white and integrated schools make up the remaining one-fourth.

For many years, the Chicago Board of Education has concentrated federal Title I money in schools that rated highest on a special poverty index.

A steep sliding scale—ranging this year from $200 to $980 per low-income student—provided schools with the highest poverty rates proportionately more of this federal discretionary money and won praise from researchers studying urban district funding strategies.

Schurz High School in Irving Park is the aide champion of the city. This year it employed 26 "guidance counselor aides," one for every 96 students.

Prosser Career Academy and Steinmetz High School, both in Belmont Cragin, came in second with nine aides each. At Prosser, that amounts to one aide for every 149 students; at Steinmetz, one for every 271. "They're necessary," argues Principal Sharon Bender. "It helps the school run smoothly, efficiently, effectively."