Chicago Public Schools Spend Millions on Travel Amid Low Student Proficiency Rates

CHICAGO, Ill. — November 24, 2025 — Chicago Public Schools (CPS) spent $14.5 million on travel expenses during fiscal years 2023 and 2024, according to a report from the CPS Office of Inspector General (OIG), raising concerns about spending priorities amid persistently low student academic performance.

The OIG report revealed that travel expenses surged to $7.7 million in fiscal year 2024 alone, marking a 2,467% increase from the $300,000 spent in fiscal year 2021. Pre-pandemic travel spending was also significantly lower, with $3.6 million reported in fiscal year 2019. The report detailed that CPS officials traveled to destinations including Las Vegas, Egypt, Finland, and South Africa.

These expenditures come as student proficiency rates remain low. Data from spring 2024 showed that only 30.5% of students in grades 3 through 8 were proficient in reading, while math proficiency stood at 18.3%. Among 11th graders, 22.4% were proficient in reading based on SAT scores, and 18.6% were proficient in math. Additionally, nearly 41% of students were chronically absent during this period.

Chicago pastor Corey Brooks criticized CPS leadership for the spending, calling it “a sad commentary on just how far our city has fallen and how bad the leadership is.” He emphasized the disparity between the travel expenses and the educational needs of students, noting that in some neighborhoods reading proficiency is as low as 6%.

Brooks said, “These individuals believe that spending money on themselves benefits our educational system more so than spending it on the children who so rightfully deserve it.”

The report and subsequent reactions have sparked debate over the allocation of resources within the school system, especially given the ongoing challenges in student achievement and attendance.

Educational Freedom Institute Executive Director Corey DeAngelis described the situation as dire, stating, “The Chicago Public School system is a complete dumpster fire. These government-run institutions are sentencing children to a future without opportunities.”

The findings come amid broader scrutiny of CPS’s management and priorities as the district faces pressure to improve academic outcomes and address chronic absenteeism.