Education

SPRINGFIELD, IL – State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) is keeping a promise he made during last fall’s veto session to make sure a panel studying the role of Regional Offices of Education submits its findings in time to affect next year’s budget. SB 2566, passed unanimously today by the Senate, will require the panel to make its report four months earlier – by April 1, instead of by August 1.

“I made a promise last fall to local units of government and to my colleagues to move the date forward,” Sullivan said. “We need all the facts sooner rather than later – and in time to incorporate them into the budget discussions. We cannot continue to burden local governments with the cost of running the ROEs.”

BENTON, IL – Illinois State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) and State Representative Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) are proud to announce that the governor's office has released more than $200,000 to help make it safer for children to get to Metropolis Elementary School.

"I'm happy that we can help make sure that the kids in Metropolis get to school safe," Forby said. "Parents shouldn't have to worry when their kids walk or ride bikes to school."

SPRINGFIELD, IL –Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) is proud to announce that the Governor's Office has finally released funding dollars for the "Safe Routes to School" program.

In an effort to help parents better understand the progress of schools and districts across the state, Governor Quinn signed a measure today that will redesign the school report card. Sponsored by Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Senator Ed Maloney (D-Chicago), the redesign will make the report card more user-friendly and focus on student outcomes, student progress, and school environment.

One requirement in the Education Reform Package passed by the General Assembly in 2011, the school report card revamp was to be decided by the P-20 Council. House Bill 605 represents the Council’s recommendations and the redesigned report card will be issued each October 31 starting in 2013. The State Board of Education is required to provide a state report card, school district report card, and school report card to each school district.

“The legislation will help parents better understand the effectiveness of their children's schools," Maloney said. “Sometimes information overload can be ineffective. The previous report cards did not give general info and it was a lot for parents to comprehend what effect individual components played in the efficiency of their child’s education.” 

The new school report card design will expand on the areas previously reported by the State Board of Education, but will include a one-page summary. Those areas include student demographics, curriculum, student achievements and school environment. The new design was developed by a coalition of a steering committee, teachers, parents and students. 

 

Joliet – State Senator AJ Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) has decided that he will no longer participate in the Legislative Tuition Waiver Program.

"For the past several months, I have been debating whether to continue awarding legislative scholarships to college-bound students who live in the 43rd District," Wilhelmi said. "In the end, I decided that the problems with the program outweigh its benefits."

Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill last week sponsored by State Senator Ed Maloney (D-Chicago) creating more opportunities for students to attend the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences for the 2012-13 school year.

Signed on December 30, Public Act 97-0648 takes effect immediately and will expand enrollment from 600 to 720 students. Two House Amendments to the bill stipulate at least half of each incoming class enrollment be reserved for those who live near the school.

"I am grateful to Governor Quinn for signing this bill so quickly because it allows Principal William Hook to take advantage of this expansion in the upcoming school year," Senator Maloney said. "This is a high-demand, well-recognized agriculture business and science program, and this will produce even more job candidates for this key Illinois industry."

CHSAS provides Chicago area high school students who are strong in math and science studies opportunities to pursue studies and careers in the agriculture business and science fields. Open since 1985, the school produces college and university scholarship and internship candidates, and its focused curriculum motivates students to stay in school. The school also provides much-needed opportunities for special education students.

The school is nationally known as the premier model for secondary agricultural education and a benchmark for other ag schools in the U.S.

State Senator Ed Maloney (D-Chicago) passed a bill in the Illinois Senate Tuesday that will provide more opportunities for students to attend the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences and study agricultural science and business.

Senate Bill 1226 expands the enrollment size from 600 to 720 students. CHSAS opened in 1985 to provide a curriculum to Chicago area high school students who are strong in math and science studies and have potential in the agriculture business and science fields. Students there have opportunities for college and university scholarships and internships, and the focused curriculum provides motivation and prevents dropping out. The school also provides much-needed opportunities for special education students.

“Demand has been increasing because the Ag Science School appeals to students interested in advancing their knowledge and skills in agriculture, one of our state’s most important industries,” said Senator Maloney. “Expanding the enrollment maximum will give Principal William Hook greater capacity to give area students an opportunity to get engaged in this recognized program of academic excellence and hands-on learning.”

Two House Amendments this week added stipulations that at least half of enrollment positions in each incoming class must be reserved for students who live within proximity to the school (all areas within the existing city limits of Chicago located south of 87th Street and west of Wood Street).

CHSAS has garnered national attention as the premier model for secondary agricultural education and a benchmark for potential schools like it in other US cities. The bill now goes to the Governor’s desk.

Governor Pat Quinn has signed a bill sponsored by State Senator Ed Maloney (D-Chicago) that redesigns the Illinois State Board of Education’s textbook funding program.

House Bill 3115 turns the Textbook Loan Program into a Textbook Block Grant Program for schools to purchase approved secular textbooks. It meets the needs of public and private schools. Funding for the loan program was eliminated two years ago; the Illinois Senate appropriated funding for the block grant program for Fiscal 2012, but the House did not.

“This was an initiative of the ISBE, and it seeks to change the funding approach to reduce or prevent interest payments schools have accrued to put these funds solely into textbooks,” Maloney said. “I appreciate Governor Quinn signing this bill because it helps public schools and parochial schools, and I hope he will work with me to fully fund this. Our schools need more options to provide students with textbooks supporting their studies.”

The Textbook Block Grant Program is the only state program dedicated solely to the purchase of textbooks and instructional materials.

“We appreciate Senator Maloney’s leadership in reforming the textbook loan program,” said Zach Wichmann, Director of Government Relations for the Catholic Conference of Illinois. “This could serve both public and nonpublic schools in buying accurate and up-to-date textbooks, and we will keep pursuing full funding for these grants.”

Senator Maloney said he would continue to work with ISBE officials to pursue the necessary funds for school textbooks for K through 12 students. Maloney chairs the Senate’s Higher Education Committee, and is a former school administrator and teacher. He has been engaged in a number of education legislation efforts regarding access, completion, performance-based funding, tuition, and scholarship programs in Illinois since he joined the Illinois Senate in 2003.

Governor Pat Quinn traveled to Western Illinois University’s Quad Cities campus in Moline today to sign State Senator Ed Maloney’s (D-Chicago) bill establishing performance-based measures to determine funding for public universities, community colleges and other state education agencies. Metrics such as student success in degree and certificate completion will be developed to influence a portion of state funding for higher education institutions.