Report: Illinois schools making progress, but not enough

A new report grading public education in Illinois indicates some progress in spite of changing demographics and diminishing state funding, but the gains still are not enough to keep many students from falling behind.

“The State We're In: 2014,” released Thursday by advocacy group Advance Illinois, gives the state a C, which is about the same grade the group issued in its 2012 report. But officials said some small improvements are actually large successes when put in context.

“I think it is encouraging that under very tough circumstances we were able to make the progress we did,” said Robin Steans, Advance Illinois' executive director.

“Half of Illinois public school students now come from low-income families, an all-time high. And our state's investment in education — from preschool through postsecondary — is dwindling,” the report states.

In spite of that, Steans said there was progress in several areas.

According to the report, 61 percent of students enroll in postsecondary education, up from 59 percent in 2012. The number of students who make it through college remained at 37 percent.

For younger students, 36 percent of eighth-graders are ready for high school coursework, up from 33 percent in 2012. In 2014, 34 percent of students completed fourth grade proficient in reading, up from 33 percent in 2012, the report said.

While the gains are good, Steans acknowledged they aren't happening fast enough.

“If we want to remain competitive, not just inch forward, we're going to have to invest more in education,” she said.

The report also highlights a number of “seriously worrisome” problems, Steans said.

According to the report, a large achievement gap persists in Illinois, but it's more about money than race. Among fourth-graders of all races, the report showed a 36-point achievement gap in reading between low-income and other students.

The report also found that low-income students are less likely to finish college, even when scores show they are better prepared than a student from a higher-income background.

The problems start early because of a lack of investment in early childhood education, Steans said.

“The erosion of early childhood spots is significant. We are right back to where we started with Preschool For All first started,” she said.

Illinois created Preschool for All in 2007, and at its peak in 2009 it was serving 95,000 young children. But by 2014, the program had less funding and was serving 70,000 children, according to the report.

“The affordability of postsecondary education is also worrisome. There has been a huge push around the country to make sure kids are getting a shot at postsecondary education because that is what you need to be competitive in this economy,” Steans said. “Now more kids are going, but the costs are getting more and more out of control.”

Illinois is 47th in the nation in terms of college affordability, according to the report.

“If we don't get more serious about investing in education, we are at genuine risk that we are going to start moving in the wrong direction,” Steans said. “And that's not good for kids, it's not good for schools, and it's not good for Illinois.”

The full report card be found at advanceillinois.org/.