MARCH 2009
Sen. Durbin seeks to end choice in D.C., demand in Illinois grows
Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin is proposing to end the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program, which gives low-income children, particularly black children, in the district a school voucher worth up to $7,500 to attend a school of their parent’s choice. This allows some families the opportunity to select an educational environment that is best suited for their child’s individual needs.
It’s unfortunate that our very own Senator is working to make it harder for black and low-income children in D.C. to get access to a high-quality education when the alternative is failing D.C. public schools, which are some of the worst in the nation based on test scores. With this scholarship, children from low- to moderate-income families have a chance to attend the same school Sasha and Malia Obama attend, Sidwell Friends.
The ending of the program would demonstrate the disregard some of our national politicians have for those families stuck in underperforming schools and most in need of educational freedom.
In Illinois, we are experiencing a groundswell of parents, business leaders and communities concerned with our current education system’s performance. They are looking for answers and solutions to turn the tide of mediocrity and transform what public education means in this state.
We have the freedom of choice in just about every aspect of our lives, except when it comes to schooling. Regardless of the result in D.C., this will not change the desire of Illinois parents to have more options in education. Just look at the charter school waitlist – there are nearly 13,000 students.
School Choice Illinois has more and more parents approaching the organization for help and information regarding options. This is about real kids whose real futures are at stake.
Click here if you would like to join the cause.
Empirical evidence shows school vouchers have positive effect on public schools
A newly published report collects all available empirical studies on how school vouchers affect academic achievement in public schools. The conclusion finds that the school choice programs improve public schools in a variety of ways such as racial integration, fiscal impact and academic achievement.
For instance, “A Win-Win Solution: The Empirical Evidence on How Vouchers Affect Public Schools,” authored by Greg Forster, Ph.D., took a total of 17 empirical studies, which have examined how vouchers affect academic achievement in public schools, and found that 16 showed that vouchers improved public schools. The remaining study found no visible impact on public schools.
Click here to download a copy of the full report from the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice.
Rockford approves third charter school, underscores need for cap expansion
The Rockford school board unanimously approved the district’s third charter school slated to open this fall. The district’s first charter school was approved earlier this year.
Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey had been active in encouraging the inclusion of charter schools in the discussion to improve Rockford schools.
“They’re independent. They’re able to be more innovative,” Morrissey told the Rockford Register Star. “And they’re able to tailor their curriculum around particular needs of students. Ultimately you’re looking at results, and that’s the bottom line.”
The passage of the third program in Rockford this year, demonstrates the need to expand the cap set on the number of charter schools by the legislature.
The current cap only allows for 60 state charters, and half already exist in Chicago alone. Chicago is permitted to have 30 charters, the band around Chicago is allowed 15, while the remainder of the state can have 15. With the passage in Rockford, only a handful of charter opportunities remain.
Currently, according to the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, there are nearly 13,000 students on the waiting list to attend a charter school. The cap is thwarting demand and thus prohibiting innovation.
School closing opposition overshadows discussion on quality
A world-class education is hard to come by in Illinois.
One-third of our public high schools are dropout factories – schools where 60 percent or fewer of students progress to twelfth grade in four years – according to the Alliance for Excellent Education. The state’s dropout rates continue to soar. Test scores have shown incremental, if any, improvement.
We need to fight for quality and high standards in education. We need to demand quality at all costs. There are 2.1 million Illinois children depending on us – parents, legislators, schools and even groups like ours – to provide it for them.
With education, we only have one chance to get it right in a child’s life. There are no do-overs.
According to ABC 7 in Chicago, 16 Chicago Public schools are slated to close, turn around or takeover and 9 new ones are expected to be opened, while two more would be expanded.
The education system in Illinois needs change. The status quo continues to fail too many children. We need innovation – through more charter schools, scholarship programs, tax credits, etc. We need quality.
Flunked receives a passing grade
| If you are interested in hosting a similar event, please contact School Choice Illinois at 312.268.6880 or email at contactus (at) schoolchoiceillinois.org. |
While the public is desperate for answers and ways to improve schools, on March 1 School Choice Illinois provided Illinois’ only screening of the documentary Flunked, which profiles schools across the country that are defying the odds and delivering a successful education.
The film highlighted the common threads of successful education: strong leadership, high standards, excellent teachers, and solid curricula. By focusing on schools that are successfully applying these principles, Flunked sent a message loud and clear: Parents, students, principals, and teachers do not have to settle for mediocrity in their own schools.
Immediately following the film, which was shown at the Gene Siskel Film Center, the viewers were invited to ask questions to the distinguished panel featuring Oliver Sicat, Principal, UIC College Prep, a Noble Street Charter School, and Sharon Hayes, the director of school development for K12 Public Virtual Schools. The discussion also involved updates from Parents for School Choice Leader, Adreinne Leonard. With Phylicia Lyons as moderator, they touched on subjects such as parental involvement, the relationships between the government and schools, transportation, involvement with current policy, and other educational choice related issues.
School Choice Illinois would like to thank all those who supported it.
Parents Empowered Awards
School Choice Illinois continues to accept nominations for its first-ever PARENTS Empowered Awards, which is setting out to honor Illinois parents who take an active role in their child’s education therefore benefitting the student and their community.
“Empowered parents are engaged, active and involved,” said Phylicia Lyons, CEO and president of School Choice Illinois. “These parents make it possible for children to have a chance at lifelong success.”
PARENTS, which represents Parents Advocating Rights in Education Now for The State, comprises a group of parents that are concerned and interested in expanding educational options for Illinois children to ensure each child has access to the best education possible regardless of their economical status or geographical location.
Until May 30, individuals can nominate a parent from public schools, private schools, and homeschools by filling out an application and submitting it along with a 5-10 minute video or photos showing “parents-in-action.” Applications are available at our website. Winners will be notified in July and will be honored on October 8 during the inaugural PARENTS Empowered Awards ceremony.
Click here for additional information.
Take Us Up on the $100,000 Challenge and see your contribution double
Levels of Support:
Partner ($25 - $249) donors help us continue our community outreach and coalition building efforts on school choice
Scholar ($250 - $499) donors help us identify what are effective education choices for our children
Facilitator ($500 - $999) donors help us look for ways to open and maintain a dialogue on school choice issues
Investor ($1,000 - $1,499) donors make a long-term investment in the future of educational options for all children
Trendsetter ($1,500 +) donors help set school choice trends for our future to help children lead extraordinary lives |
“For every child – a quality education and a bright future.”
These words were shared by Virginia Walden-Ford, Executive Director, D.C. Parents for School Choice, at a special March luncheon for Chicago business and community leaders. Phylicia Lyons, President and CEO of School Choice Illinois, was another of the featured speakers there. She called our efforts for school choice “not a sprint but a marathon,” and concluded with, “There’s no other race I’d rather run!”
We are pleased and proud to announce increasing support for our efforts on behalf of Illinois parents and their children. Recent gifts include: $5,000 foundation gift; $1,500 corporate gift; $2,000 in sponsorships; and individual gifts through online giving, regular monthly contributions, and general support that total over $500.
As School Choice Illinois supporters, you will receive school choice updates, news releases and notifications on new research findings. All donation will be recognized in our newsletter and annual report. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Thank you for your support.
Make a contribution now and join our $100,000 Challenge!
It’s a race we can win if we run it together!
Additional ways to give – Search for a Good Cause
Did you know that you can help School Choice Illinois financially just by searching the web? GoodSearch.com donates 50 percent of its revenue to the nonprofit organization of your choice (at no cost to you) as you use their search engine.
Simply visit the site at www.GoodSearch.com and enter School Choice Illinois as your cause. Then whenever you use the site for your searches, School Choice Illinois benefits. |
