"So what problem are you trying to solve is really my question," Nelson said. "To say we're just going to solve the problem by lowering the bar doesn't solve the problem. It doesn't solve the issue."
Nelson noted that the issue is that the district is not educating the students as is needed to provide them with options for college. She believes that Walnut Hills High School does not have a "diversity problem," as the school currently has approximately 40% Black students enrolled. Nelson pointed out that someone may perceive there to be a diversity problem because CPS has 80% Black children, which does not reflect the demographic makeup of Walnut Hills.
March 27, 2023
"I just think the resources need to be focused on really making sure that the parents feel like they have alternatives and safe places and quality education for their kids beyond elementary school," Nelson said. "And Walnut Hills is not the only place that can happen, it can happen in these other schools. I think that there could be more done to make sure that our kids are prepared for the rigor of a college preparatory school."
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Nelson expressed her disapproval of the district's consideration of the issue and noted that reducing admission standards would have the unfortunate effect of decreasing performance at Walnut Hills. She called on officials to address the education and learning gaps due to COVID across the district, the "failing report cards" in CPS elementary schools, and the out-of-district Black students with higher pass rates than those within the CPS district.
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CPS sent Fox News Digital a statement, clarifying there was no formal proposal to lower academic standards. They noted that the Board of Education had not voted on and was not considering lowering admission requirements but had requested an analysis of the admissions process from the Superintendent.
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The Nation's Report Card recently revealed that average math scores saw the largest declines across every state, dropping five points for fourth-graders and eight points for eighth-graders from 2019 to 2022. Reading scores dropped to levels not seen since 1992, decreasing three points for both grades in two years and indicating significant proficiency setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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