All adults who worked in Chicago public schools – including employees, coaches, volunteers and vendors – will undergo background checks before classes begin this fall, CPS announced last week.

According to WGN, “The move comes after a Chicago Tribune investigation revealed CPS failed to protect hundreds of students who were sexually abused by school employees. According to the newspaper, teachers and principals often failed to alert child welfare investigators or police when students disclosed abuse – despite the state’s mandated reporting law.”

According to Chicago Public Schools, all adults who regularly work with children were required to undergo a background check during the hiring process, but until now they were never re-screened once on the job. Now, CPS plans to conduct periodic background checks moving forward and to train all athletic coaches using the same standards.