Illinois lawmakers adjourn without saving school choice, but fight will continue
Illinois lawmakers adjourn without saving school choice, but fight will continue
Illinois’ Invest in Kids school choice program for over 9,600 low-income students will end at the close of 2023. But supporters vow to resurrect it during the upcoming legislative session.
By Brad Weisenstein
Invest in Kids press conference: Real students are impacted
Invest in Kids press conference: Real students are impacted
About 150 students and advocates Nov. 8 were in Springfield chanting and trying to persuade state lawmakers to keep the Invest in Kids school choice program. Parents, educators and politicians made the case during a press conference hosted by Illinois Policy.
By Brad Weisenstein
Chicago Public Schools dysfunction hits low-income, minority students
Chicago Public Schools dysfunction hits low-income, minority students
Spring test data shows low-income and minority students in Chicago Public Schools continue to record low proficiency rates. The Chicago Teachers Union wants to kill a school choice program that could help those students.
By Hannah Schmid
Most Chicago students still read, perform math below grade level
Most Chicago students still read, perform math below grade level
Chicago students made gains in proficiency in reading and math on 2023 state assessments compared to 2022, but most students continue to perform below grade level. Overall student proficiency rates remain worse than before the pandemic.
By Hannah Schmid
Governor’s doors locked on students advocating school choice at rally
Governor’s doors locked on students advocating school choice at rally
A rally Nov. 1 outside Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office in Chicago ended with private school students finding themselves locked out of the public building. They were there to ask Pritzker to save the Invest in Kids program.
By Jess Plowman
Illinois student proficiency up in 2023, but two-thirds still read below grade level
Illinois student proficiency up in 2023, but two-thirds still read below grade level
Illinois state education administrators celebrated academic progress in 2023, but student achievement is still behind where it was before COVID-19 hit. Chronic absenteeism remained high. Enrollment dropped again.
By Hannah Schmid
Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union’s new attack on charter schools
Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union’s new attack on charter schools
Chicago Public Schools’ decision to significantly shorten the number of years charter schools are allowed to operate before their charters are up for renewal is the latest Chicago Teachers Union effort to destroy public school choice.
By Paul Vallas
Democratic state lawmakers file bill extending school choice
Democratic state lawmakers file bill extending school choice
Chicago state Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar filed a bill that would extend Invest in Kids scholarships through 2028 but would cut total tax credits by one-third and therefore the number of scholarships. Another bill would make the program permanent.
By Dylan Sharkey
Students at Illinois capitol to demand last-minute scholarship rescue
Students at Illinois capitol to demand last-minute scholarship rescue
Hundreds of students and school choice advocates were at the Illinois House chambers to let state representatives know they expect them to save the Invest in Kids Act for low-income students.
By Jess Plowman
Students filling Statehouse to save Illinois’ school choice program
Students filling Statehouse to save Illinois’ school choice program
The Illinois General Assembly was greeted back to Springfield by private school students pushing them to save the state scholarship program for low-income students. Thousands more are expected Oct. 25.
By Jess Plowman
Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships mostly go to Black, Hispanic students
Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships mostly go to Black, Hispanic students
Low-income students from across Illinois receive Invest in Kids scholarships, with the majority going to Black and Hispanic students.
By Mailee Smith