Press Releases
Please find our latest press releases below.
K-12 Funding Advocates Gather in Springfield, Calling on Lawmakers to ‘Fund the Formula’
CHICAGO —On Wednesday, April 26, more than 100 teachers, parents, students and school and district leaders, and students traveled to the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield to advocate for increased investments in K-12 school districts by way of the Evidence-based Funding Formula (EBF).
On Funding Illinois’ Future Advocacy Day 2023, advocates came together to raise awareness about the need for increased K-12 investments and meet with their legislators to share how EBF has been pivotal in ensuring high-quality education in their communities. As part of the day-long event, advocates will join together in the Capitol Rotunda for a rally where Rep. Carol Ammons (103rd District), Sen. Adriane Johnson (30th District), and Rep. Laura Faver Dias (62nd District) provided remarks along with members of the Funding Illinois’ Future (FIF). FIF is a coalition of more than 100 school districts, leaders, parents, educators, and civic- and faith-based organizations that advocated for the passage of the Evidence-based Funding formula in 2017. Today the group is focused on the goal of equitable and adequate funding for all K-12 schools.
Advocates in Springfield that day included parents, teachers, students, and leaders from Noble Schools, Morton East High School, Corazon Community Services, Faith Coalition for the Common Good, Illinois PTA, Teach Plus, West 40, and superintendents from Vienna and Riverton.
“We were thrilled to be able to resume coming together again in-person, in Springfield, as a community that cares about making sure every K-12 student in Illinois is provided the excellent education they deserve,” said Cheryl Flores, Director of Community Engagement at Advance Illinois. “We know that when we can show up like this and make our voices heard, the urgent need for change is heard by our lawmakers, too.”
About the Evidence Based Funding (EBF) formula
In 2017, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Evidence-based Funding Formula, replacing the K-12 funding structure at the time with a formula that prioritizes the state’s least well-funded districts. EBF distributes funds according to a research-based estimate of what schools need to fully serve students, and takes into account differences in student needs across districts. Prior to the passage of EBF, 169 districts were funded at less than 60% of what they needed. Five years later, only 2 districts are still below full funding. Still today, over half of the state’s students—more than one million children—are still in districts funded below 75% of full funding.
Research shows that high-quality educational experiences from both through postsecondary make a real difference for students and communities. Adequate and equitable state funding is critically important to providing these opportunities for all students.
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Education Advocacy and Community Organizations Come Together with Local Leaders in Springfield to Discuss the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Education in Illinois
A presentation on the key findings in Advance Illinois's report, The State We’re In 2022: A Look at the Impact of COVID-19 on Education in Illinois will be followed by a conversation with three state and local leaders.
Springfield, IL (December 12, 2022) – In collaboration with Advance Illinois, Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, and United Way of Central Illinois, a presentation and panel discussion on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education in Illinois will be held at the Sangamo Club in Springfield on December 15.
Advance Illinois will present key findings from its report, The State We're In 2022: A Look at the Impact of COVID-19 on Education in Illinois, which looks at the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Illinois school communities during the 2020-2021 school year. The report looks at notable changes in four areas including: student enrollment and attendance, access to instruction and student supports, academic progress, and social-emotional well-being. The data is examined according to region, ethnicity, English Learner status, household income, and geography.
The conversation to follow will include Doris Turner, State Senator from Illinois’ 48th District, Dr. Brian Durham, Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board, and Dr. Becca Lamon, Superintendent of the Ball-Chatham School District, and will be moderated by Robin Steans, President of Advance Illinois, a bipartisan education policy and advocacy organization. Panelists will discuss the ongoing work needed to ensure students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed in the wake of COVID-19.
The panel will cover:
What is the data telling us: How have attendance, enrollment, and academic outcomes shifted over the last 2.5 years? Where have educational inequities been exacerbated by the pandemic? What are the biggest challenges facing care centers, schools, and colleges right now?
Work underway: How are local and state leaders addressing the pandemic’s significant impact on student academic progress and student well-being? What programs and supports are working?
Moving forward: What should our priorities be moving forward? How do we maintain energy around learning renewal efforts at the state and local level, especially as federal funds go away?
Robin Steans, President of Advance Illinois says, “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on education across Illinois, from birth through college. The data is sobering, and we must continue to work together to face the challenges ahead and support all our students in Illinois.”
THE STATE WE’RE IN
Lunch and Panel Discussion
When: Thursday, December 15, 2022, 12 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Sangamo Club, 227 E. Adams St., Springfield, IL 62701
MEDIA RSVP and INQUIRIES: Eucarol Juarez, communications@advanceillinois.org
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Advance Illinois Advance Illinois is an independent policy and advocacy organization working toward a healthy public education system that enables all students to achieve success in college, career, and civic life. Since its founding in 2008, Advance Illinois has become a nationally recognized thought leader in education, policy, and advocacy.
Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln Through philanthropic services, strategic grantmaking and community leadership, the Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter. We serve Sangamon, Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery and Morgan counties by building permanent charitable funds, identifying current and emerging issues and channeling resources to address community needs.
United Way of Central Illinois Founded in 1922, United Way of Central Illinois creates a better life for us by advancing the common good. Our focus is on protecting services vital to the immediate basic needs of the most vulnerable members of our community; while making long term investments in education, financial stability and health, because these are the building blocks for a good quality of life.
Illinois Education Advocacy and Community Organizations and Rockford Public Schools Unite for Panel Discussion Looking at the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Education in Illinois
A presentation on the key findings in Advance Illinois's report, The State We’re In 2022: A Look at the Impact of COVID-19 on Education in Illinois will be followed by a discussion with three esteemed panelists from the Rockford area.
Rockford, IL (Nov 28, 2022) – In collaboration with Advance Illinois, Alignment Rockford, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Rockford Public Schools, and Harlem School District a presentation and panel discussion on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education in Illinois will be held at Rockford University on November 30, 2022.
Advance Illinois will present key findings from its report, The State We’re In 2022: A Look at the Impact of COVID-19 on Education in Illinois which looks at the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Illinois school communities during the 2020-2021 school year. The report looks at notable changes in student enrollment and attendance, access to instruction and student supports, academic progress, and social-emotional well-being by examining data according to region, ethnicity, English Learner status, household income, and geography.
The discussion to follow, moderated by Robin Steans, Advance Illinois President will include esteemed panelists Dr. Ehren Jarrett, Superintendent of RPS 205, Dr. Terrell Yarbrough, Harlem UD 122 Superintendent, and Rev. Dr. K. Edward Copeland, New Zion Baptist Church and Governing Board member of Alignment Rockford. Panelists will discuss ongoing work and paths forward in ensuring students reach their full potential on the road to recovery from the pandemic.
The panel discussion will cover:
What is the data telling us: How have attendance, enrollment, and academic outcomes shifted over the last 2.5 years? Where have educational inequities been exacerbated by the pandemic? What are the biggest challenges in schools right now?
Work underway: How are local and school leaders addressing the pandemic’s significant impact on student academic progress and student well-being? What programs and supports are working?
Moving forward: What should our priorities be moving forward? What do local and school leaders need in order to best support students and families moving forward?
Robin Steans, President of Advance Illinois says, “The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant educational disruption and profound effect on education across Illinois. Findings in the report highlight the work needed in the coming years to overcome these unprecedented circumstances. Local school districts and organizations along with state leaders must work together to support students in Illinois to ensure they have access to resources and opportunities they need to succeed.” Emily Klonicki, Executive Director of Alignment Rockford adds, “Education and academic success is a community issue, and this event is a unique opportunity for the community to participate in the process. While Advance Illinois will present critical data that illustrates the challenges facing our students post-pandemic, the panel discussion will be focused on local context and application of these findings and will be an opportunity for our community to inform this state-wide advocacy group about the local and regional educational needs and challenges.”
Lunch and Panel Discussion
When: Wednesday, November 30th, 2022, 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Where: Rockford University, 5050 E. State St. Rockford, IL
Register: https://alignmentrockford.org/events/the-state-were-in/
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Eucarol Juarez communications@advanceillinois.org, Cathy Bayer-Eberle cathy.bayer@rps205.com, Jason Blume, jason.blume@harlem122.org
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Alignment Rockford Alignment Rockford brings together strategic partners from corporate, civic, political, religious, and social entities to challenge and address systemic barriers and equitably impact the growth, development, and academic achievement of students in the Rockford Area.
Advance Illinois Advance Illinois is an independent policy and advocacy organization working toward a healthy public education system that enables all students to achieve success in college, career, and civic life. Since its founding in 2008, Advance Illinois has become a nationally recognized thought leader in education policy and advocacy.
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois' mission is to serve as a catalyst for giving in order to attract, preserve, and grow an endowment for the current and future needs of the people of Northern Illinois.
Rockford Public SchoolsRockford Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in Illinois, educating approximately 27,700 students through early childhood and preschool programs all the way through high school and adult education programs.
Bipartisan Education Policy and Advocacy Organization, Advance Illinois, Releases New Report Looking at the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Education in Illinois
The State We’re In 2022: A Look at the Impact of COVID-19 on Education in Illinois, focuses on the impact of the global pandemic within early childhood, K-12, and higher education during the 2020-2021 school year.
The State We’re In 2022: A Look at the Impact of COVID-19 on Education in Illinois, focuses on the impact of the global pandemic within early childhood, K-12, and higher education during the 2020-2021 school year.
Contact:
Taryn Williams
Eucarol Juarez
communications@advanceillinois.org
CHICAGO, IL (August 4, 2022) – Today, Advance Illinois released its report, The State We’re In 2022: A Look at the Impact of COVID-19 on Education in Illinois. This edition of The State We’re In focuses on the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Illinois school communities during the 2020-2021 school year. The report looks at notable changes in student enrollment, access to instruction and student supports, academic progress, and social-emotional well-being by examining data from early childhood through higher education according to region, ethnicity, language, household income, and learning style.
“Any way you slice it, COVID-19 has had a profound effect on education and care across Illinois and throughout the country,” said Robin Steans, president of Advance Illinois. “Despite heroic and creative efforts from teachers, families, and leaders at every level, the reality is that the pandemic has amplified existing inequities across lines of race, income, geography, and educational need.”
While the report is sobering, Steans suggests that the news should not be demoralizing, but serve as a call to arms for ongoing investment and focus. “This report sheds light on the work needed in the coming years to overcome the significant educational disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also spotlights places where concerted effort mitigated serious challenges.”
The edition is unlike previous editions of The State We’re In. Typically, a biennial publication, this report will not contain national comparisons, but will focus on Illinois-specific information, given changes to data quality and availability, as well as COVID-19's massive disruptions to the context in which meaningful data exists.
The report examines four key areas including enrollment, K-12 equitable access to instruction, student well-being, and K-12 academic outcomes. Among the findings in the report:
Enrollment: Nearly every level of education in Illinois saw declines in enrollment that exceeded historical trends and cannot be explained by demographic shifts. This was especially pronounced for early learners (ages birth through 5) and students enrolled in community colleges.
Equitable Access to Instruction: Inequitable access to digital infrastructure posed a barrier for K-12 students in remote learning environments, contributing to growing race-based disparities in attendance and inequities in access to high quality classroom instruction.
Support and Resources for Students’ Well-Being: Disruptions to schooling left significant gaps in K-12 students’ social-emotional development, putting pressure on already inadequate staffing of counselors, social workers, and psychologists.
K-12 Academic Outcomes: Although there are critical gaps in the data, available information suggests that K-12 proficiency on standardized assessments and 9th grade On-Track rates declined substantially.
The report also highlights just a few of the valiant efforts of state and local leaders, who worked creatively to address critical issues - expanding access to laptops, finding creative ways to expand internet and broadband access, taking bold steps to stabilize the state’s system of early childhood education and care, and finding measures to support student well-being.
Steans adds, “we salute the many heroes around the state who have navigated this once-in-a-century event, and look forward to working with them, not just to respond to ongoing needs, but to use this moment to learn and grow as we support the next generation to reach its full potential.”
Readers can access the full 2022 edition of The State We’re In report here or by visiting advanceillinois.org.
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About Advance Illinois
Advance Illinois is an independent policy and advocacy organization working toward a healthy public education system that enables all students to achieve success in college, career, and civic life. Since its founding in 2008, Advance Illinois has become a nationally recognized thought leader in education policy and advocacy. To learn more, visit advanceillinois.org.
Closing Funding Equity Gaps in Illinois’ Education System
A new report by Advance Illinois analyzes how the Evidence-Based Funding Formula is closing glaring funding equity gaps in the state’s school districts.
A new report by Advance Illinois analyzes how the Evidence-Based Funding Formula is closing glaring funding equity gaps in the state’s school districts
Contact:
Taryn Williams
José L. García
communications@advanceillinois.org
CHICAGO, IL – Today, Advance Illinois released its report Investing in Illinois’ Students: An Analysis of Evidence-Based Funding and the Path to Equity, Student Success, & Long-Term COVID-19 Recovery. The report takes an in-depth look at how the Evidence-Based Funding Formula has impacted education resource equity in Illinois and reveals the remaining gaps between current funding levels and full, adequate funding.
The report is based on school funding data from the years following the 2017 passage of theEvidence-Based Funding formula (EBF) that ensures new state dollars flow to students and school districts that need them most. As a part of the 2017 passage of EBF, Illinois pledged to invest sufficient state funds to get all districts to at least 90 percent of full funding within 10 years. Despite this commitment, EBF was flat-funded in FY21 and could be flat-funded in FY22 for a second year in a row, permitting equity gaps to widen and worsen over time and undermining this critical state pledge.
“The findings in the report tell us that EBF is beginning to shrink equity gaps, but there is still a long way to go to fill remaining equity gaps and reach adequate funding,” said Robin Steans, president of Advance Illinois. “The research makes clear that significant and sustained investments in education improve student outcomes, so it is crucial for the state to stay the course on its commitment.”
Data show that EBF has already begun to close equity gaps, but progress is only possible when the state invests at least $350 million through the formula each year.
“The data in the report clearly highlight why the state must keep its promise of investing at least $350 million in our schools through EBF each year,”said Melissa Figueira, senior policy advisor at Advance Illinois.“The state cannot depend entirely on federal pandemic relief funds for EBF as that would only momentarily fill a gap and does not permit the deeper and sustainable programmatic and staffing investments schools need for long-term improvements.”
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
Explains the significance of the EBF formula and how it equitably distributes funds to the districts that need it most;
Spotlights data on why adding state funding through the EBF formula each year is the most effective way to close historic and persistent funding gaps and provide all students with a high-quality education; and
Displays how COVID-19is creating additional expenses for school districts and how federal resources are helpful for disaster recovery, but are not a substitute for state funding
Another year of flat funding for EBF would cause ripple effects that would be felt by individual students, homeowners, communities and the state’s economy as a whole. The need is urgent, and the time is now for state leaders to step up for Illinois’ students and fund the EBF formula.
For more details and insights, download Investing in Illinois’ Students: An Analysis of Evidence-Based Funding and the Path to Equity, Student Success, & Long-Term COVID-19 Recovery.
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About Advance Illinois
Advance Illinois is an independent policy and advocacy organization working toward a healthy public education system that enables all students to achieve success in college, career and civic life. Since its founding in 2008, Advance Illinois has become a nationally recognized thought leader in education policy advocacy. To learn more, visit advanceillinois.org.