Chicago Public Schools has partnered with Chicago Public Media, which operates WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, to introduce local journalism-based resources into the CPS Skyline English Language Arts Curriculum. The announcement was made on Mar. 5 and involves adapting 83 news stories from WBEZ and Sun-Times for use by third through fifth grade students to build literacy, word study, and fluency skills.
The partnership aims to strengthen foundational instruction for intermediate grades by using real-world reporting as classroom texts. This approach is designed to encourage students to practice reading with peers while engaging critically with current issues affecting their communities.
As part of this initiative, high school students from eight CPS schools participated in a summer project in 2025 where they created original photography inspired by professional reporting. On Feb. 19, students and teachers from Eric Solorio Academy High School, Lane Tech College Prep High School, and Richards Career Academy visited Chicago Public Media’s headquarters at Navy Pier to present their projects. During their visit, they toured the newsroom and studios while meeting journalists and media professionals.
“This partnership demonstrates how local journalism can serve as both a civic resource and a classroom tool,” said Dr. Lorelei Carver, CPS Literacy Specialist. “By bringing real reporting into the CPS Skyline ELA curriculum, students are not only strengthening literacy skills but they are also engaging critically with the issues affecting their communities.”
The collaboration also marks an important moment for WBEZ’s history with public education in Chicago; originally launched in 1943 as the official station of record for city schools—where “BEZ” stands for “Board of Education”—the station once broadcast lessons during the polio epidemic before becoming independent in 1990.
“This moment reflects both our future and our roots,” said Kimbriell Kelly, Editor in Chief of Chicago Public Media. “WBEZ was founded to support public education in Chicago. Seeing our journalism now embedded in classrooms across the city is a powerful continuation of that mission.” The initiative underscores how nonprofit journalism can support literacy development, civic understanding, and community connection among young people.
