From birth to career, Illinois students deserve an equitable and adequate education system

COVID-19 has upended the lives and education of children and young people throughout Illinois. As we enter 2021, we will need new ways of thinking and working to ensure our state’s education system emerges from the pandemic able to serve kids better and more equitably.

As a first step, state funding and policies must extend beyond traditional silos — preschool, K-12 and higher education — and instead address our educational system as a single, interconnected journey that provides equitably and adequately for our students at every step.

All children and youth in Illinois deserve a high-quality education regardless of their race/ethnicity, ZIP code or family income. We know quality experiences, from birth through college, make a dramatic difference in one’s success in school, career and life. Beyond this, a well-educated citizenry and workforce is vital for Illinois’ economy,now more than ever…

Click through to read the full op-ed, “From birth to career, Illinois students deserve an equitable and adequate education system”, which appeared in The Courier and was signed by Robin Steans, president of Advance Illinois; April Janney, acting president and CEO of Illinois Action for Children; Mimi Rodman, executive director of Stand for Children Illinois; Kyle Westbrook, executive director of Partnership for Coll: Robin Steans, president of Advance Illinois; April Janney, acting president and CEO of Illinois Action for Children; Mimi Rodman, executive director of Stand for Children Illinois; Kyle Westbrook, executive director of Partnership for College Completion; and Diana Mendley Rauner, Ph.D, president of Start Early (all GFF grantee organiations)