What are the projected changes in school funding in Illinois for the next year?
The State of Illinois is anticipating an increase in school funding for the next fiscal year. This is due to improved state revenue projections and a commitment from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to request additional funds to meet the evolving educational needs.
How will the increased state revenue impact school funding?
The increased state revenue in Illinois is expected to positively impact school funding. With the state's improved fiscal health, there is potential for a larger budget allocation to education, allowing for more resources to be directed towards schools.
What are the priorities for the additional funding in schools?
Priorities for the additional school funding include enhancing educational quality, addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, updating technology and infrastructure, and supporting programs that cater to diverse student needs.
Will there be any new programs introduced in schools with the increased funding?
While specific programs will depend on individual school districts, increased funding may allow for the introduction of new educational programs, particularly those focusing on technology, special education, and post-pandemic recovery initiatives.
What has the Illinois State Board of Education proposed for Fiscal Year 2025 programming?
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has recommended a significant increase in the General Funds investment for public education in Fiscal Year 2025, aiming for a total of approximately $11 billion. This represents an increase of $652.5 million over the FY 2024 General Funds appropriation. The recommendation includes a variety of new and continuing programs funded by state dollars to address ongoing needs and capitalize on demonstrated success, especially as federal COVID-19 relief funds are expiring. Here are the highlights of new programs proposed by ISBE in their recommended budget:
Smart Start Initiative
Early Childhood Development: ISBE proposes a $75 million increase in the Early Childhood Block Grant, aiming to further close gaps in access to high-quality early learning services for low-income families as part of Governor JB Pritzker’s Smart Start Initiative. This is in response to the successful first year of the initiative, which enabled the state to serve approximately 5,800 additional children in publicly funded preschool programs.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
New Funding Formula for CTE: ISBE is introducing a new funding formula for state CTE funds to be phased in over the next four years, addressing the growth and changing needs in CTE programs across the state. This initiative seeks to ensure no programs experience a decrease in funding with the implementation of the new formula.
Supporting Newcomer Students
Allocation for Newcomer Services: Recognizing the influx of newcomer students with significant needs, ISBE recommends a $35 million allocation to assist school districts in serving these students, focusing on bilingual and special education services.
Programs Transitioning from Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds to State Funding
ISBE has identified six programs currently supported by federal COVID-19 relief funds for continuation with state funding due to their ongoing need and demonstrated success:
Affinity Groups
New Educator Coaching and Mentoring
Principal Mentoring
Resilience Education to Advance Community Healing (REACH)
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Hubs
Student Care Department
These programs are aimed at sustaining improvements in instructional quality, enhancing staff capacities, supporting academic recovery, and addressing the social and emotional needs of students.
Sources:
Southern Illinoisan - ISBE Weighs Increased Funding Requests Ahead of Budget Season
Illinois Governor Press Release – Five Year Revenue Projection
What is Illinois' evidence-based funding (EBF)?
Evidence-based funding is a model adopted by Illinois to ensure that state funds are allocated to schools based on their specific needs. The goal is to provide more resources to the neediest districts, ensuring every student receives an adequate education.
How does the EBF model differ from the previous funding formula?
The old formula was based on a one-size-fits-all “Foundation Level” of per-pupil funding, which was both inadequate and inequitable. The EBF model, on the other hand, focuses on providing funds to districts furthest from their “Adequacy Targets,” ensuring that resources are allocated based on the specific needs of students.
What are "Adequacy Targets"?
Adequacy Targets represent the amount of funding research indicates is required for a district to provide the level of education its students need to succeed academically.
How has the EBF impacted low-income school districts?
In its first year, the EBF allocated over 89 percent of new school funding to “Tier I” school districts, which were furthest from having adequate funding. A significant portion of this funding went to districts serving predominantly low-income students, helping to address historic inequities.
What was the criticism against the old funding formula?
The old formula relied heavily on local property taxes, leading to significant disparities in funding between property-rich and property-poor districts. This made Illinois' school funding system one of the most regressive in the country.
What do supporters say about the EBF model?
Supporters argue that the EBF model is a significant step towards ensuring equitable funding for all districts, regardless of their property wealth. They believe it holds the promise of closing Illinois’ drastic funding and achievement gaps.
Are there any criticisms of the EBF model?
Some critics, including teachers' unions, have expressed concerns about certain aspects of the EBF, such as provisions that they believe could divert potential tax dollars away from public classrooms.
How does the EBF model impact Chicago Public Schools?
The EBF model provides additional funds to Chicago’s struggling school system, helping cover pensions and allowing Chicago to levy another property tax.
What is the future outlook for the EBF model?
While the EBF model has made strides in addressing funding inequities, there is still work to be done. As of a recent fiscal year, the majority of school districts in Illinois were still below their Adequacy Targets.
References:
In recent years, the state of Illinois has made significant strides in addressing workforce challenges and ensuring that its residents have access to quality education and training opportunities. This article delves into the various initiatives and funding mechanisms that have been put in place to bolster the state's workforce pipeline.
Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce (PATH)
The healthcare sector, already grappling with worker shortages, faced exacerbated challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this, the PATH program for FY2024 was introduced. With an anticipated funding of $25 million, the program aims to support individuals in nursing and select healthcare pathways. The funding methodology includes a base funding of $100,000 per district, with additional amounts based on program completions in eligible healthcare programs. The program also emphasizes equity, targeting underrepresented student groups and incumbent workers.
Illinois Educator Workforce Amidst the Pandemic
A report by Advance Illinois highlighted the state of the educator workforce during the pandemic. Surprisingly, the teacher shortage crisis showed signs of stability. Illinois now boasts more teachers, support staff, and school leaders than in the past decade. However, challenges persist in areas like special education, bilingual teaching, and paraprofessional positions. The report also underscores the need for a diverse educator workforce, as racial disparities continue.
Building Tech Talent in Springfield & Chicago
The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) has launched a program to nurture tech talent. Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) in Springfield and City Colleges of Chicago play a pivotal role in this initiative, having developed the curriculum and serving as training hubs. Trainees receive a minimum annual salary of $54,000 from DoIT while specializing in areas like cybersecurity and networking. Upon completion, they are offered full-time positions with DoIT.
Workforce Development through Education (Governor's FY 2025 Proposed Budget)
Smart Start Illinois receives over $400 million for its second year, enhancing early childhood education with a comprehensive approach. This includes a $13 million launch for the Department of Early Childhood and a significant $200 million investment in Early Childhood Workforce Compensation Contracts. These efforts aim to prepare children for lifelong learning and support the workforce behind this crucial sector.
K-12 Education Funding continues to rise with a proposed $17.38 billion budget. This includes a $350 million increase in Evidence-Based Funding (EBF), aiming to equitably serve every child in Illinois. A notable $449 million increase in the ISBE General Funds highlights the state's commitment to enhancing public education.
For Higher Education, the budget proposes $2.55 billion in General Funds, emphasizing college affordability and expanding economic opportunities. This includes a $10 million increase in the Monetary Award Program (MAP), benefiting an estimated 146,000 students, and a general funds increase for public universities and community colleges to support their operating costs and workforce development programs.
Illinois Workforce Pipeline Summary
Illinois' commitment to strengthening its workforce pipeline is evident in the various programs and initiatives it has introduced. From healthcare to education and technology, the state is making concerted efforts to ensure its residents have access to quality training and employment opportunities. As these programs continue to evolve, it will be crucial to monitor their impact and ensure they meet the changing needs of the workforce and the industries they serve.
References:
Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce (PATH) FY2024 Program Design (Illinois Community College Board)
Illinois WorkNet Notice of Funding Opportunities (Illinois WorkNet)
The State of Our Educator Pipeline 2023 (Advance Illinois)
Pritzker's Initiatives for Expanding the Healthcare Workforce (Capitol News Illinois)
Lincoln Land Community College's Role in Building Tech Talent (NPR Illinois)
Illinois Governor's Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget (Governor's Office of Management and Budget)