Trump offers federal aid to Chicago youth takeovers
Chicago resident Donna Rotunno discusses the alarming increase in juvenile delinquency and violent crime, including the shooting of 36 people over Memorial Day weekend. Rotunno, a criminal defense attorney, criticizes city and state leadership for ‘criminalizing’ and undermining public safety. He notes that residents need to feel safe, and current policies hinder effective law enforcement efforts.
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
A Chicago high school’s decision to end its Arabic language program due to low enrollment and budget constraints has sparked backlash from community members who say the course is important for inclusion and diversity.
Lincoln Park High School (LPHS) has announced that it will no longer offer Arabic to incoming freshmen. The decision comes as Chicago Public Schools (CPS) faces a $732.5 million shortfall, forcing district-wide layoffs in teaching staff and administrators, according to a new report by the Chicago Tribune.
LPHS Principal Eric Steinmiller defended the decision during the May 21 school board meeting. Steinmiller explained that beyond the district’s difficult financial constraints, the Arabic program enrolled a total of 20 students this year and was ranked as the school’s “underperforming” International Baccalaureate (IB) language track based on test scores.
However, this decision has angered local activists, parents and students who want the management course to be cancelled. An online petition opposing the repeal has received more than 1,500 signatures.
Students attend class at Iman Academy Southwest on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 in Houston. (Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
CHICAGO SCHOOLS FACING ENROLLMENT CHALLENGE WITH 150 SUCH BUILDINGS
“Ending access to the Arabic language for incoming students will limit educational opportunities and reduce the linguistic diversity offered by LPHS,” the petition reads. “Language programs are important not only for academic growth, but also for promoting empathy, integration, and cultural understanding within our school community.”
The group touts the program as evidence of the school’s “commitment to educational equity, multicultural learning, and the long-term success of LPHS students.”
The Chicago branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also criticized the school’s decision. Jordan Esparza-Kelley, communications coordinator for CAIR-Chicago, said the language provides important real-world skills, such as learning Spanish.
A sign is displayed in front of the Chicago Public Schools headquarters in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 5, 2022. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO SCHOOLS SLAMMED BY PARENTS’ RIGHTS WATCHDOG OVER ‘ACTIVE’ LGBT AGENDA REVEALED IN UNCLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS
“No one would suggest removing trigonometry from school, right? However, only a small group of students will continue in their lives and do that math exception,” said Esparza-Kelley. “The other side of that is every student out there talking. Language programs in general, I think, are more productive than other programs that never have a question floating around in their heads.”
The students who spoke at the LSC meeting said that the program had a problem with student enrollment because the school leadership was not promoting students.
Steinmiller noted that the school was looking for external funding to keep it going. In 2022, LPHS was awarded a one-time, $100,000 grant spread over three years from the Qatar Foundation International. However, that funding was not enough to sustain the program long-term, according to LSC co-chair Amy Zemnick.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE NEWS AND CULTURE
“I’m not saying there’s no benefit to the program, and if there was money, we’d like to keep it, but there’s a lot of different things here that affect why it’s not sustainable,” Zemnick told The Tribune. “The biggest thing is that we just don’t have money or children.”
In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, Chicago Public Schools reiterated that financial problems and lack of student interest leave them with no choice.
An empty Chicago Public Schools classroom is seen on Dec. 15, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
“Chicago Public Schools (CPS) works continuously to provide a high-quality and high-quality education in all contexts, with multiple options, to better prepare students for college and careers,” the spokesperson said. “Lincoln Park High School administrators are committed to a curriculum that respects and reflects the diversity of Chicago and the world. The school, however, can no longer justify the costs associated with the Arabic language program due to a significant decline in student interest.”
CPS noted that nine other schools across the state still teach Arabic as a world language. The district added that 16 LPHS students enrolled in track will be allowed to complete their fourth and final year of the program next year.
