Education Funding in Illinois: A Roundtable Discussion, November 12th, 2013
EDUCATION FUNDING IN ILLINOIS: A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
to be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12 at the City of Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville.
How does education funding in Illinois affect the quality of education your child receives? How does it affect all children and the future competitiveness of our state?
These and other critical, education-related topics will be discussed during a lively and informative roundtable discussion featuring the following distinguished panelists:
• Senator Michael Connelly, 21st District
• Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, 41st District
• Representative Ron Sandack, 81st District
• Representative Darlene Senger, 41st District
• Curt Bradshaw, Board Member, Illinois State Board of Education
• Peg Agnos, Executive Director, Legislative Education Network of DuPage County (LEND)
• Dr. Lawrence Joseph, Director of the Fiscal Policy Center at Voices for Illinois Children.
Maryam Judar, Executive Director and Community Lawyer with the Citizen Advocacy Center in Elmhurst, will moderate. Questions from the audience will be encouraged.
In a 2012 study, “Is School Funding Fair? A National Report Card,” produced by the Education Law Center and Rutgers Graduate School of Education, Illinois received below average ratings in school funding fairness, including an “F” in school funding distribution. The funding a student receives can range from $6,016 to $25,289 depending upon where they reside.
In a just-released report from the National Center for Education Statistics, eighth grade math and science scores in Illinois were at or barely above the national average.
The Council on Foreign Relations states that our national security is directly linked to issues such as education because shortcomings among American workers threaten the country's ability to compete with other countries, with the growing achievement gap between socioeconomic groups being the United States' greatest competitive weakness.
Can we do better for our children? Should our funding process be changed and funding distributed more equitably? If so, how?
Join our panelists and members of the community as we explore this critical issue. Doors open at 6:45. The event is free, and seating is limited.
Co-sponsored by the American Association of University Women, Naperville Area (http://naperville-il.aauw.net) and the League of Women Voters (http://lwvnaperville.org). For more information contact. AAUW Naperville Area, aauwnaperville@hotmail.com, 630-886-3256.
Interview opportunities:
Curt Bradshaw, Board Member, Illinois State Board of Education, 312-917-7995
Joan Schaeffer, Co-President, AAUW, 630-886-3256