WATCH: Illinois student struggles continue as enrollments decline

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A public education advocacy group says Illinois students are still struggling with academic proficiency.

Advance Illinois held a virtual briefing Tuesday on the state of public education in the Land of Lincoln.

Advance Illinois President Robin Steans noted that most Illinois students are not proficient, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

“Our NAEP proficiency rates are stagnant at about a third of the student population. Obviously, that is not good news,” Steans said.

Data from NAEP, also known as “The Nation’s Report Card,” showed that 30% of Illinois’ fourth graders met or exceeded reading proficiency standards. Steans said just a third of Illinois students showed kindergarten readiness.

Advance Illinois measured about 80 metrics and found equity gaps to be of particular concern.

Steans touted Illinois’ evidence-based funding (EBF) model and said the formula provided $2.8 billion in state taxpayer funds to schools that need it the most.

Illinois taxpayers shell out about $19,000 per student statewide.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said his administration has increased its commitment to students by more than $2.8 billion, a 33% increase in school funding by state taxpayers. The state’s education budget for the 2025-26 school year is a record-high $11.2 billion.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski said Pritzker should prioritize literacy over diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

“You’ll never hear Governor Pritzker say that our kids can’t read. He will only say that we have record graduation rates. He will not level with the people about how bad things are,” Dabrowski said during a recent campaign event.

School enrollment numbers are dropping along with Illinois’ population.

According to Steans, the enrollment declines are especially steep at the college level.

“Enrollment in K-12 education is dropping, but it’s dropping about proportional to population changes. Our enrollment in higher education is much more outsized. We’ve seen a 28% decrease in enrollment,” Steans said.

Steans said college readiness for Illinois students is 30%, down from 38% before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s running mate, Aaron Del Mar, said last week that education should be personal, not political.

“That is why Darren and I will fight to ensure that education funding is fair and transparent. We will expand school choice and homeschooling options,” Del Mar said.

Following Tuesday’s media briefing, Advance Illinois had a panel discussion scheduled Wednesday at the City Club of Chicago.