As highlighted in a recent Chicago Tribune article the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Opportunity Index is revolutionizing resource allocation, creating a more equitable funding model. The article notes, “This innovative approach aims to balance the scales, prioritizing funding to those who need it most, based on historical and social factors.”

During my tenure as the Director of Racial Equity Initiatives at CPS, I co-led the development of this reparations-based formula alongside the Office of Equity. Now, as the CEO of LRFB Equity Consulting, LLC, I am dedicated to helping organizations adopt similar strategies that address systemic inequities and racism.

The CPS Opportunity Index: A Catalyst for Change

The Opportunity Index has significantly reformed CPS’s budgeting practices, which traditionally favored well-resourced schools, to prioritize those in most impacted communities such as the South and West sides of Chicago. This index employs various indicators, such as levels of segregation, opportunity differences, community life expectancy, and historical allocation to direct funds where they are needed most (see all indicators below). Source

From 2020 to 2024, CPS has used a related Equity Index to direct $2.7 billion toward schools in historically disinvested areas. These focused investments have markedly enhanced educational opportunities and infrastructure, setting a new standard for equitable budgeting. The Opportunity Index serves as a case study for the P³ model, illustrating how budgeting can be reoriented to address racial equity. By assessing schools on equity indicators that reflect access to resources, the Index helps identify disparities rooted in historical and structural inequities. Its implementation showcases how engaging with the experiences and voices of impacted communities (People), focusing on areas with a legacy of disinvestment (Place), and adopting strategies with an eye towards reparations (Period) can guide resource allocation in a manner that promotes racial equity and justice.

Quantitative Impact of the Opportunity Index

The comprehensive impact assessment of the Opportunity Index at CPS demonstrates the substantial benefits of this equity-focused budgeting model:

• Reduction in Funding Gaps: Funding disparities between the highest and lowest opportunity schools have been narrowed, creating a more equitable distribution of resources.
• Increased Enrollment in Low-Opportunity Schools: Enhanced funding is beginning to support enrollment in historically underfunded schools, reversing prior trends of disenrollment.
• Enhanced School Programs and Quality: There is a direct correlation between targeted funding and improved educational outcomes, with increases in program density in low-opportunity schools.
• Equitable Capital Improvements: A significant portion of the $2.7 billion from the Equity Index has been invested in capital improvements at historically disinvested schools, dramatically improving both physical and educational infrastructure.

The P³ Model: People, Place, and Period

In the quest for racial equity, the innovative P³ (People, Place, and Period) model emerges as a transformative framework for school districts and organizations aiming to dismantle systemic barriers. This model reimagines budgeting practices by prioritizing the experiences, epistemologies, and voices of those most affected by disparities (People), addressing the historical and structural disinvestment and racism specific to different locales (Place), and adopting a reparative approach that acknowledges the temporal dimensions of oppression and seeks to redress both current and historical inequities (Period).

The P³ model—People, Place, and Period—is exemplified by the Opportunity Index, illustrating how budgeting can be reoriented to address racial equity effectively:

1. PEOPLE: Focusing on the experiences and voices of those most affected by disparities ensures that budgetary decisions are inclusive and representative of diverse community needs. 
2. PLACE: Targeting resources towards geographic areas with a history of disinvestment addresses the root causes of inequity, fostering recovery and growth.
3. PERIOD: Incorporating a reparative approach, the model considers both the historical context of current inequities and the ongoing needs of communities, ensuring that allocations are responsive and reparative.

People: Valuing Experiences, Epistemologies, and Voices

The foundation of the P³ model is a deep commitment to centering the lived experiences, knowledge, and voices of marginalized communities. Recognizing that these communities hold vital insights into the barriers they face, the model advocates for a shift in power dynamics, where decision-making processes are co-designed with those directly impacted by budgetary allocations. This approach ensures that budgets are not only reflective of diverse needs but are also shaped by a plurality of perspectives, fostering greater equity and inclusion.

Place: Addressing Structural Disinvestment and Racism

The P³ model acknowledges that places are not neutral; they carry histories of structural disinvestment and racism that have concrete impacts on communities. By focusing on these locations, the model aims to direct resources towards areas most affected by historical neglect, adopting strategies that recognize and seek to rectify the legacy of these injustices. This place-based approach is crucial for targeting efforts where they can have the most significant impact, addressing the root causes of inequity.

Period: Embracing a Reparative Approach

Understanding that oppression and racism are time-bound yet have enduring impacts, the P³ model emphasizes the importance of a reparative (reparations-based) approach to budgeting. This perspective seeks to acknowledge and address both current and historical inequities through budget allocations that not only aim to repair harm but also to prevent future injustices. By recognizing the temporal dimension of racial equity, the model advocates for budgets that are both reflective of and responsive to the need for systemic change and reparations.

Conclusion: A Commitment to Systemic Change

The P³ model for racial equity in budgeting offers a pathway for organizations and school districts committed to dismantling systemic barriers and advancing justice. By prioritizing the voices of those most affected, addressing the specific needs of historically marginalized places, and adopting a reparative approach that seeks to heal historical wounds, the P³ approach transforms budgeting into a tool for equity and change. The Opportunity Index serves as a practical implementation of the P³ model, providing a robust framework for embedding racial equity into budgeting processes. This approach not only guides organizations in creating more equitable systems but also adapts to the evolving needs and insights from continuous historical research.

LRFB Equity Consulting, LLC is ready to assist your organization in adopting this comprehensive strategy, ensuring that your budgeting practices effectively promote justice and fairness. Together, we can transform institutional practices to create more inclusive, equitable, and just futures.

For more information or to consult on implementing these equitable budgeting practices in your organization, contact LRFB Equity Consulting, LLC. We are committed to guiding you through this transformative process, ensuring that your resource allocation strategies deeply reflect a commitment to racial justice and equity.