Most high school seniors have not taken the courses required to attend state universities, as many school districts struggle to afford even basic class offerings
(CHICAGO) – For many Illinois high school seniors, this
academic year will be their last: studies show that the state is failing to
prepare its students for higher education. Though Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich
recently passed stricter graduation requirements through the Higher
Standards, Better Schools
act,
many financially strapped school districts cannot afford to meet current
benchmarks, let alone absorb the costs of the new mandate.
“Gov.
Blagojevich deserves recognition for acknowledging that the majority of
Illinois
students need better preparation if they are to succeed in college and the
workforce,” said Bindu Batchu, manager of the A+ Illinois campaign for
comprehensive, statewide school funding reform. "However, the state already
falls far short of providing schools with adequate funding. If we want to
graduate students who are ready to compete in the global economy, we need a
long-term solution to the state’s school funding crisis.”
The most recent data on the ACT test shows
that
Illinois students score below the
national average. What’s more,
most
Illinois
students score far below the average score of students admitted to many
state universities, such as
the
University
of
Illinois. Indeed, the Illinois Education
Research Council (IERC) recently found that more than one-third of
Illinois
high school
seniors graduate “unprepared” for college, and another 28 percent are only
“partly ready.” Those who do enter college must spend valuable time and money
“playing catch-up” in remedial classes; ultimately, many become frustrated and
drop out. The ACT data supports IERC findings by revealing that most Illinois
high school students do not take a college core curriculum, defined by ACT as at
least three years of math and science instruction, and four years of English.
“Employers
statewide have a large stake in the outcome of our public education system, and
right now the
Illinois
economy is suffering from the lack of
preparedness of our graduating high school students,” said MarySue Barrett,
president of the Metropolitan Planning Council, an A+ Illinois member
organization. “Higher standards will help ensure that, whether our teenagers
choose to go on to college or enter the workforce, they are qualified to compete
in an increasingly global marketplace.”
A+ Illinois commends state leaders for the Higher
Standards, Better Schools program, which aims to prime students for college
and life. The program requires high school students to take more math, science
and writing-intensive courses, and requires school
districts
to offer a broader range of
electives and Advanced Placement
courses.
However,
A+ Illinois warns that increased funding is essential to realize the program’s
goals. A May 2005 survey conducted by the Illinois State Board of Education
(ISBE) found that a whopping 83 percent of districts* currently do not meet the
newly designated graduation requirements (three years of math, including Algebra
I and some geometry coursework; two years of science; four years of English; and
two writing-intensive courses). Further, ISBE estimated it will cost school
districts $50 million to implement the program.
That’s
in addition to the millions of dollars in funding for basic educational expenses
that the state is currently failing to provide to its schools. The FY06 budget
increased the minimum per-pupil spending amount used to fund basic educational
expenses – also known as the foundation level – by $200, from $4,964 to $5,164;
yet the state is still falling $1,240 short per pupil of providing a quality
education, according to the Education Funding Advisory Board, appointed by the
governor to determine the foundation level.
“A+ Illinois and other school funding reform advocates
support the vision of Higher Standards, Better Schools
, but we
believe the state has a responsibility to increase its overall share of
education funding to provide for both basic educational expenses and these new
requirements,” said Dennis Vercler, director of news and communications for the
Illinois Farm Bureau, an A+ Illinois member organization. “Comprehensive school
funding reform is needed to relieve the undue burden on our school districts and
property taxpayers.”
Indeed, school districts already are struggling to serve students. Due
to budget constraints, Hononegah Community High School District
207
in
Rockton,
Ill., cut a class period. Now students have
room in their schedules for just one elective, forcing the college bound to
forgo fine arts and other electives to fit in foreign language classes required
by state and private universities.
In
the
Chicago
region, Joliet Township High School District 204 recently adopted high school
graduation requirements largely consistent with the state’s new standards. Supt.
Paul Swanstrom says that raising graduation requirements has a direct financial
effect on school districts, as most will need to extend the length of the school
day or reduce or eliminate elective programs in order to offer new standard
course offerings. Dist. 204’s solution was to hire nearly 20 new full-time
employees to staff the newly opened
Freshman
Academy
, which keeps freshman one period
longer than the rest of the students to provide them with enrichment courses in
math and reading. The academy, says Supt. Swanstrom, is necessary; but it’s also
17 percent more costly than the district’s previous freshman program expenses.
A+ Illinois is a campaign of more than 100 organizations
and thousands of individuals across the state committed to real reform in the
quality and funding of public education for all Illinois children. A+ Illinois
advocates that state government take a greater financial role supporting local
education. Restructuring the tax system to decrease education's over-reliance on
property taxes – and bring property tax relief – will provide more funds for
education and protect other human services that support learning. Partner
organizations include AFSCME Council 31, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, Chicago Urban League, Illinois
Education Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, Metropolitan Planning Council, Tax Policy Forum and Voices
for Illinois Children.
* The survey received responses from 443 out of 503
unit and high school districts in Illinois , for an 88 percent response rate.