JULY 2009
Charter School Cap Doubles
With just Gov. Quinn’s signature, the statewide charter cap would jump from 60 to 120 charter schools.
Senate Bill 612 passed at the end of legislative session and would allow for at least 40 new charter schools in Chicago, 15 schools throughout the rest of Illinois and additional five schools designated for addressing the drop-out problem in the state.The cap had been a tremendous roadblock to the giving parents more choice in their child’s education.
There are nearly 13,000 students on the charter school waiting list, according to the Illinois Network of Charter Schools.
Indiana Passes School Choice Program
In our May issue, we reported that Iowa expanded its school choice program. With Iowa paired with Wisconsin’s school choice program, Illinois has to feel a growing concern for competition—our neighbors will utilize school choice to increase test scores and graduation rates, ultimately gaining a more educated workforce.
Now we need to add a third neighbor to the list.
On June 30, Indiana’s governor signed passed a new budget bill, which included a provision for the creation of a new scholarship tax credit program. While the program is currently capped at $2.5 million, it provides taxpayers with a 50 percent income tax credit for donations to scholarship granting organizations providing school scholarships to low-income students.
This is another sign that Illinois needs to take action on strengthening its education system through school choice before we fall any further behind states in the Midwest.
Chicago Latino organization poised to transform education for Hispanics
Illinois, and more specifically Chicago, has one of the largest Latino populations in the country. But a review of test scores for the state’s Latino students shows that they are trailing far behind the state’s white students.
These two factors demonstrate the importance of the United Neighborhood Organization, Chicago’s largest Latino community group, and its charter schools, which have outperformed Chicago Public Schools. And now, UNO will become the state’s largest charter school manager, according to the Chicago Tribune, after it received a $98 million state grant to build eight new charter schools.
The 2000 Census shows the Latino population at about 12.3 percent and in Cook County the Latino population was about 20 percent. Newer estimates project that the state total is closer to 19 percent, but it will not be official until the 2010 Census. Yet, as Illinois’ Latino population grows faster than the national average, the impact will be felt in the schools.
According to the new National Center for Education Statistics report (see below for more information), mathematic test scores for 8th-grade Hispanic students were 26 points behind those of white students, while reading scores were 21 points behind.
It will be a matter of time before it is determined if the new UNO charters will help close that gap, but no one can argue that the current approach is netting the desired results.
Organization uncovers flaws in Obama/Duncan claim
When President Barrack Obama appointed Arne Duncan to Secretary of Education, he touted how Duncan boosted elementary test scores by 29 percentage points during his seven-year tenure.
But a new report from the Civic Committee of The Commercial Club of Chicago, which the USA Today reports had been a proponent of Obama and Duncan, creates some doubt about just how successful the increases were.
The group’s report found that after adjustments in tests and procedures are accounted for student’s rates only increased by 8 percentage points. Additionally, the report explained that about half of Chicago’s students drop out of the city’s public high schools and that 70 percent of 11th-graders fail to meet state standards.
Duncan spokesman Peter Cunningham told USA Today, “while we still have a long way to go, it is absolutely misleading and irresponsible to suggest that there has not been progress.”
The report also noted that, “Efforts to provide meaningful school choices to Chicago’s families must be aggressively pursued – including expanding the number of charter and contract schools in Chicago. Most of these schools outperform the traditional schools that their students would otherwise have attended; and the choices that they offer parents will help spur all schools in CPS to improve.”
The full report can be viewed here.
Racial gap in Illinois outpaces that of Southern states
Historically, the widest gap between black and white students in regards to testing occurred in the Southern states. However, a new report from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that the gap is now larger in Northern and Midwestern states, such as Illinois.
In 2007, 8th-grade black students had average mathematic scores 38 points lower than those of white students. Additionally, average reading scores for black students was 27 points lower than those of white students.
The New York Times reports that the national gap average between black and white students in regards to mathematic scores is 26 points – “the equivalent of two and a half years of schooling.”
The full report can be viewed here.
Illinois charter schools get high marks
Earlier this month, the Peoria Journal Star published an article that compiled results and rankings from various sources regarding Illinois’ charter schools. Some of the key findings presented in the article include:
- Chicago charter high schools experienced improved graduation rates and college enrollment (RAND Corp.).
- Chicago charters had higher attendance and graduation rates than its public school counterpart (Illinois Network of Charter Schools).
- Five of the top 10 schools ranked in 2008 for enrollment in college and post-secondary education were charter schools (Chicago Public School Scorecard).
- Interest in charter schools is high. An opinion poll from Lake Research Partners found that more than 80 percent of parents in Peoria, Rockford and Springfield showed interest and favorability toward charters (Illinois Network of Charter Schools).
Parents Empowered
Parents are an integral part to our state’s education system. Empowered parents make it possible for children to have a chance at lifelong success. At School Choice Illinois we want to honor those making a difference in the lives of children and their education. We are accepting nominations (the nomination period has been extended) from those wishing to recognize those parents. Winners will be honored at an awards dinner this October. For more information and a nomination form, click here.
Hold your own Flunked Screening
In March, School Choice Illinois held a screening of the documentary Flunked, which is narrated by actor Joe Mantegna. Now, School Choice Illinois is partnering with organizations and individuals around the state to assist them with holding their own screenings to raise awareness about the status of education in Illinois and what we can do to change it. If you are interested in receiving more information about holding your own screening please contact us at 312-268-6880 or contactus(at)schoolchoiceillinois.org.
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 |
Join the $100,000 challenge and double your giving
While School Choice Illinois is nearly 50 percent of the way to its goal, your contribution is still needed. School Choice Illinois received commitments from two donors willing to double all contributions made to the organization up to $100,000. This is your opportunity to not only show your support and commitment to education reform in Illinois, but also strengthen your financial contribution. With your tax-deductible donation, you’ll receive our special Donor Insider newsletter, which gives you insight and news ahead of our public releases. In addition, you’ll receive recognition in our newsletter and annual report for your contribution.
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. |
