| It's a rare occurrence when both of the state's | | | | classroom ratios, testing special needs students, and |
| teachers' unions and the governor come to an | | | | working in old and inadequate buildings. |
| agreement on funding. That's exactly what Illinois | | | | Part of the plan will provide $200 million to help districts |
| Schools experienced in March of this year when | | | | afford special education teachers. This is the first |
| Governor Rod R. Blagojevich received the | | | | increase for special needs Illinois Schools have seen |
| endorsements of the Illinois Federation of Teachers | | | | since 1985. Funds will also provide for special programs |
| and the Illinois Education Association. The praise was | | | | and transportation for special needs students. |
| given for the Helping Kids Learn plan, which provides | | | | Other components of Helping Kids Learn include funds |
| $10 billion to Illinois Schools over the next four years. | | | | for the Preschool for all Program in Illinois Schools. The |
| Illinois Schools were given further reasons to celebrate | | | | $69 million dedicated to this initiative will help provide |
| when the State Board of Education announced an | | | | the support and materials to implement all day |
| increase of over $700 per pupil in minimum state and | | | | kindergarten throughout the state. Finally the plan |
| local funding. This will increase those foundation funding | | | | includes a $1.5 billion investment in construction, |
| amounts to $6,058 per pupil annually. | | | | improvement and renovations for deteriorating Illinois |
| These investments will increase fiscal year 2008 | | | | Schools. |
| monies by $1.5 billion. This amount is unprecedented in | | | | Educators in both teachers' unions are emphatic that |
| Illinois Schools. The plan is three times larger than any | | | | the opportunities Illinois Schools will gain from the |
| increase in the history of Illinois Schools. | | | | increase in funding will go a long way to address the |
| Why so much and why now? Gov. Blagojevich says | | | | achievement gap and help all students succeed. |
| that the Illinois Schools..."have been chronically | | | | According to James Dougherty, president of the Illinois |
| underfunded for decades. Our Helping Kids Learn plan | | | | Federation of Teachers, "By increasing the Foundation |
| is not just an investment in schools, it's an investment in | | | | Level by more than $700 per student, we're starting to |
| our future, in our children." Much of the pressure for | | | | level the playing field between the educational haves |
| Illinois Schools to improve comes from the No Child | | | | and the educational have nots." Parents in Illinois |
| Left Behind (NCLB) act, which set Adequate Yearly | | | | Schools are also excited about the increased funds. |
| Progress markers for all schools in the nation. | | | | While the NCLB act still sparks debate in Illinois Schools, |
| Teachers and administrators in Illinois Schools have | | | | it seems to have put a spotlight on education that is |
| been challenged by meeting the demands of lower | | | | resulting in positive changes for children. |