Legislation Archives

Let’s Make It a Priority

High School Success | 03/29/2022

Aimee Galvin Government Affairs Director

The next two weeks in Springfield will be a whirlwind of activity. Session is scheduled to end on April 8, so the clock is very much ticking.

The bill we support to help increase Dual Credit access and flexibility for districts is nearing the finish line in Springfield. Earlier this month it passed the Illinois House without a single “no” vote and now needs to pass the Senate.

We need your help to boost support for Dual Credit students and educators. Tell your senator to support HB5506 and stand up for equitable access to Dual Credit courses.

The promise of Dual Credit courses is immense. They help prepare students for life after high school and can earn them early college credit. Districts need the flexibility to launch and grow Dual Credit programs with their available teachers while still respecting the quality standards of traditional Dual Credit coursework.

Now is the time for us to show Springfield the deep support for this bill from advocates just like you.

Good News from Springfield!

High School Success | 03/17/2022

Aimee Galvin Government Affairs Director

With just under a month left in the current legislative session, I’m happy to report that one of our legislative priorities passed the Illinois House earlier this week. Legislators signaled their support for a House Resolution to improve Career and Technical Education (CTE) collaboration and course access.

We’re grateful to you for your advocacy and to the Representatives who showed their strong support as sponsors. This resolution takes a bold step toward improving equitable access to CTE courses and facilitating the partnerships needed for successful CTE programs to flourish.

The research tells us that CTE partnerships work. Students who complete CTE programs are more likely to graduate high school and enroll in college. This resolution sends a strong signal in support of these vital programs.

Will you join us in thanking the lawmakers who led the way as sponsors of the House Resolution?

THANK THE SPONSORS

Support for HS Grads and Their Future Careers

High School Success | 03/9/2022

Scott McDonald Marketing & Communications Director

It’s hard to think of a more immersive training than the hands-on, work-based learning that Illinois students receive in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. These courses preview what a future career might look like.

Engaging and successful CTE programs rely on close partnerships with both employers and colleges. Local employers bring work-based learning to students so they can explore high-wage career paths in their communities. Colleges, through things like Dual Credit courses, help students get started on their college coursework while still in high school.

We can help facilitate these partnerships by supporting a new Illinois House Resolution. Your support today will build the momentum for this thoughtful resolution to improve CTE collaboration and course access. Take action now!

The research tells us that CTE partnerships work. Students who complete CTE programs are more likely to graduate high school and enroll in college.

Yet, improving access to CTE courses in underserved populations continues to be a challenge. The House Resolution, HR582, would study how to better facilitate the partnerships needed for successful CTE programs and also make recommendations intended to bring equitable access so more students can benefit from high-quality CTE programs.

Support for CTE courses means support for high school grads and their future careers. I hope you’ll join us and stand with them today.

Our Voices are Making a Difference

High School Success | 02/28/2022

Aimee Galvin Government Affairs Director

Springfield is a busy place these days, with bills moving and deadlines approaching at a steady clip. Included in all the movement is the progress we’ve seen by supporting more equitable access to Dual Credit classes.

I’m glad to say that the bill to boost equitable access to Dual Credit courses and support the educators who teach them is up for final approval in the Illinois House this week. Now is the time for us to show Springfield the widespread support for this bill from advocates just like you.

Join me and contact your legislators to support Dual Credit students and educators by supporting HB5506.

This bill makes many positive steps for Dual Credit students and educators across Illinois. It will help put more educators on the path to teaching Dual Credit courses and allow more students to benefit from the rigor of these college-level courses.

Districts across the state should be allowed the flexibility to launch and grow Dual Credit programs with their available teachers while still respecting the quality standards of traditional Dual Credit coursework. This bill allows them to do just that.

Thank you for standing with us.

Increasing Access is Crucial

High School Success | 02/14/2022

Aimee Galvin Government Affairs Director

Illinois has made great strides in recent years when it comes to improving the number of students taking Dual Credit courses. Those classes help prepare them for life after high school and can earn them early college credit to boot.

As Dual Credit enrollment has risen, community college remediation rates have gone down. Dual Credit is delivering on its promise.

With a nearly 70% increase in teaching vacancies over the last five years, schools are left to do more with fewer teachers. Having enough qualified instructors remains a huge barrier to expanding Dual Credit access.

A bill introduced in Springfield would allow districts the flexibility to launch and grow Dual Credit programs with their available teachers while still respecting the quality standards of traditional Dual Credit coursework.

Can I count on you to take a quick second from your day to urge your legislators to increase equitable access to Dual Credit courses and support HB5506?

SUPPORT DUAL CREDIT ACCESS

Will you add your voice and tell your legislators to stand up for equitable access to Dual Credit courses and support for educators? Just one click is all it takes.

Time to Act

Early Childhood Literacy | 02/3/2022

Scott McDonald Marketing & Communications Director

I’ve heard some folks describe learning to read as a “neurological backflip.” Teaching something like that takes a huge amount of skill and persistence – something I’ve seen first-hand as my young daughter has started reading more and more this school year.

But when only 33% of Illinois fourth-grade students are proficient readers, we know it’s time for action. Most other states have already acted to ensure their literacy instruction is evidence-based. Illinois hasn’t…yet. But we now have a bill in Springfield that would do just that!

The Illinois Right to Read Act (HB5032/SB3900) provides the support and professional development that current and future educators deserve – helping them better understand the brain science behind learning to read.

We need to let legislators know we support evidence-based literacy instruction. With one click, join me in contacting Springfield and showing your support for Illinois students and educators.

SEND AN EMAIL IN 1-CLICK

The Right to Read Act is a solution to help more Illinois students become proficient readers.

It would ensure pre-service teachers demonstrate their knowledge of evidence-based reading instruction. The State Board of Education would offer support to districts across Illinois to adopt evidence-based literacy curriculum and structured literacy training for educators. ISBE would also offer supports to educators to improve their practice in literacy instruction with curated professional development.

The Right to Read Act is on the move in Springfield. We need your voice to help continue this momentum. Act now!

Our Schools Need This

Equitable Funding | 02/2/2022

Jessica Handy Policy Director

While much of the state is getting blanketed with snow today, the work of government goes on. Today, Governor JB Pritzker delivered his budget address and proposed to include $350 million in additional funding for the Evidence-Based Funding formula for Illinois schools.

Gov. Pritzker’s proposed funding is a strong signal to the importance his administration places on education. He has long been an advocate for fair school funding and today’s proposal is a step in the right direction toward fully funding our schools.

Now, it is incumbent on the legislature to follow-through on the Governor’s proposals and appropriate the equitable Evidence-Based Funding formula.

Together, we have been fighting for new school funding for years. The work continues today, so let’s redouble our efforts and urge leaders in Springfield to prioritize Gov. Pritzker’s proposal of $350 million in new funding for Illinois schools through EBF.

EMAIL SPRINGFIELD NOW

Honoring Juneteenth Together

Civic Action | 04/30/2021

Brandi Watts Educator Partnerships Director

In my home state of Texas, as far back as I can remember, Juneteenth has been a celebration. Juneteenth parades and pageants and oratory contests all shine a spotlight on the beauty of Black culture and the community. We eat barbeque, drink “red” soda and spend time with family and friends.

Most importantly, we celebrate the emancipation of our formerly enslaved ancestors, the resilience of our people before and after emancipation, and the unifying magic of Blackness. Juneteenth means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot to folks here in Illinois as well.

It’s for these reasons and so many others that I was glad to see the State Senate pass a bill to make Juneteenth a State holiday! It should serve as a celebration of the progress we’ve made and a reminder of how much work is yet to be done for Black Americans to truly be free.

Let’s join together and thank the sponsors of this bill for working to get us this far!

Last year, in the midst of the pandemic and in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, Juneteenth was quite subdued. It was a real moment of reflection and rededication to the work ahead. This year, freedom festivals and traditional celebrations are returning with a renewed emphasis on the strength of our communities!

All of these traditions and celebrations mean a lot to so many people. We’re not done yet, but let’s take time to thank the sponsors for getting this bill one step closer to becoming law!

A Big Step Forward

Legislation | 03/9/2021

Jessica Handy Government Affairs Director

It’s not very often that we get to send happy notes like this so early in the year, but today is one of those days. Thanks to the support from education advocates like you, Illinois took a big step forward in the fight to dismantle systemic racism and move toward education equity.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law the Black Caucus education package. We pushed for this moment because of the impact the law will have on Illinois students. The law has a plainly ambitious goal which we support wholeheartedly: reversing centuries of systemic racism in education and significantly bolstering opportunities for Black students.

Let’s send the Governor a big “thank you!” for making this a reality.

This new law moves the needle for Illinois students in important ways.

Automatic enrollment in advanced courses will help remove implicit bias against minority students, helping open doors that were previously closed for too many students.

Equitable access to coursework will help Illinois students access college in ways they haven’t been able to in the past – no matter where they attend high school, all students should have access to the recommended courses needed for admission into any Illinois public university.

We have work ahead of us as the legislative session continues. Crucial education funding, which the State skipped adding to the budget last year, is desperately needed to keep Illinois on track to fully fund schools. And we must support early learners who struggle with literacy skills.

Let’s take this moment to thank Gov. Pritzker for signing the Black Caucus education bill into law. These changes will reverberate for years to come.

Then, let’s recommit ourselves to the work ahead.

Moving Closer to Racial Justice

Legislation | 01/9/2021

Jessica Handy Government Affairs Director

Illinois and America are facing a reckoning with the systemic racism we have maintained since the country’s beginnings. Many people seem to finally realize that it’s not enough to just “not be racist.” Systemic racism keeps racist systems alive, even if we lived in a world without any racist individuals. We must commit to being anti-racist and push to dismantle those entrenched systems that perpetuate racial inequalities.

Our schools are among society’s most racially inequitable systems. The outgoing Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, Sen. Kimberly Lightford, has used her skills as an education champion and rockstar negotiator to craft a comprehensive bill to advance racial equity for Illinois students. These changes have an ambitious goal: reversing centuries of systemic racism in education and significantly bolstering opportunities for Black students.

Stand has previously supported many individual concepts in this bill, and now we need to work together to ensure this package becomes law. Raise your voice and tell Springfield to move our state closer to racial and educational justice.

ACT NOW

You can read a comprehensive summary of the bill in a previous blog post, but I wanted to call out a few highlights for you here. This will give you an idea of the great ideas included in this bill and why it must become law.

Academic Acceleration

Based on a Washington state law that tripled the percentage of Black high school students in advanced courses, this academic acceleration policy requires schools to automatically enroll students who meet or exceed standards into the next most rigorous course. It removes any element of implicit bias and opens doors for more students to eventually access courses that earn them early college credit.

Equitable Coursework for College Access

No matter where they attend high school, all students should have access to the recommended courses needed for admission into any Illinois public university. Yet the guidelines for high school graduation differ greatly from the admissions expectations set at our state’s flagship public universities. Students must have access to all courses expected for college admission and their schools can work creatively to ensure that happens.

Let’s work together, Illinois, to turn great ideas like these into law. This bill would take our state one step closer to dismantling systemic racism and making Illinois classrooms more equitable places. I hope you’ll join us.