Know Your Context: CPS Access — Choice? Part 2

(You can find Part 1 here.)

There were two major clues that initially tipped me off about questioning the validity of the “Choice” marketing as touted by CPS and the Mayor.

One: If someone can make a living as a consultant advising parents who can afford their services on how to improve chances for access to some of the “better” CPS elementary schools? That’s a red flag.

Two: If the process and procedures for determining and applying for potential elementary schools are so complicated that a native English speaker with an advanced college degree can’t quickly figure it out?  That’s the second red flag.

I’ve been trying to come up with a decent illustration of the barriers to “Choice” that are integral to the current CPS Elementary enrollment system, but I am not really a graphic designer and, wow, it is so complicated.

Here is my most recent attempt.  Download the PDF:  CPSSchoolChoice_v8

Exhibit A for why arts curriculum in schools is so important…able to visualize and communicate your ideas!

Suggestions for modifications or alternative versions are most welcome.

The vertical bars are supposed to represent barriers of ever-increasing difficulty for access.  Unfortunately, this kind of breaks all sorts of infographics rules because the height of the barriers isn’t attached to a specific number and is relatively arbitrary at this point. As I said, just one more attempt to try and explain something very complicated in a simple way.

So, what are the implications of these barriers to enrollment, anyway?

See Part 3 here.