Fix for schools starts with local candidates
The power to change schools right here at home Grow the Economy. Build a better future for our children. Compete for the jobs of the 21st Century.
No, this isn't a presidential stump speech in a distant state. These are the issues most important to voters right here in Illinois.
Let's not let the excitement of a presidential campaign overshadow this important fact: The elected leaders with the power to solve these issues are usually those closest to home.
And many of them will be on the ballot on Nov. 4.
Don't get me wrong. The U.S. presidential election couldn't come at a more critical time for our country. But the reform needed to improve the quality and funding of Illinois schools-the key to getting our state back on track- must come from the Statehouse, not the White House. And that change is needed now, more than ever.
Illinois' support for schools has been quietly dropping for years. In fact, the state's share of funding is now at its lowest level since 1998, placing tremendous pressure on local property taxpayers and the schools that they support (only Nevada contributes less to the education of their children). Not surprisingly, the gap in achievement between low-income and wealthier children in Illinois is one of the widest in the nation, and growing.
I've heard many exciting, research-proven ideas for boosting student achievement and bringing Illinois education into the 21st Century. But implementing these measures is simply not realistic when so many schools survive on a "starvation diet," with dwindling help from the state.
So when you pull the curtain on Election Day, keep in mind that candidates for Illinois House and Senate hold the key to improving our schools.
Start now. Learn what your local candidates for Illinois General Assembly would do to fix our state's broken school funding system. They all support education on the campaign trail, so get specific: Find out exactly what reforms they support, and what they don't.
Will our next state leaders provide Illinois schoolchildren the opportunity to succeed in life and compete in the global economy? The choice is ours to make, right here at home.
Mary Ellen Guest
Campaign Manager
A+ Illinois