Our state’s education system is charged with nothing short of preparing the next generation to be successful in an increasingly competitive global economy. The children of Illinois have seen their options for better educational opportunities threatened while state government drowns their schools with costly mandates and restrictions.
The Senate Republican caucus has developed a comprehensive plan to protect educational opportunities through the Invest in Kids Act, give families and school boards a say in whether or not to discharge costly unfunded mandates, bring more voices to the table at the state school board, establish curriculum transparency for parents, and creating a path forward for schools to pursue better ways to educate students.
SENATE REPUBLICAN’S EDUCATION LEGISLATION
SB 4180: Elected Board Members for ISBE:
This legislation creates five new positions on the Illinois State Board of Elections by creating one board member per judicial district in Illinois. These new members of the State Board of Education would be elected members, offering some accountability to the school districts that resided in the judicial district they were elected to represent.
SB 4179: School Curriculum Transparency:
Requires school districts to publicly post on the district’s website, at least twice per year, all of the learning materials and activities used for student instruction, as well as the policies and procedures for review and approval of the materials and activities.
SJRCA 12: Parents Rights:
This constitutional amendment works to protect parents rights in their children’s education and healthcare decisions.