Jim Murphy
Jim Murphy
“Illinois is the only state to lose a school choice program rather than expand one. If we can turn that around at the federal level, it would be a huge win for students in the state."
Literacy epidemic hits Illinois as fewer than 1 in 3 students read well
Literacy epidemic hits Illinois as fewer than 1 in 3 students read well
Student literacy is in trouble nationally. Illinois is one of 41 states where just 1 in 3 or fewer of its fourth-graders met reading standards in 2024.
Committee OKs ‘Homeschool Act;’ fight moves to Illinois House floor
Committee OKs ‘Homeschool Act;’ fight moves to Illinois House floor
Illinoisans over 90,000 times said they opposed a bill regulating homeschools and private schools, but an Illinois House committee passed it anyway. Now the full Illinois House must face constitutional issues and fierce opposition to the bill.
Testimony: ‘Homeschool Act’ is unconstitutional government intrusion into families’ privacy
Testimony: ‘Homeschool Act’ is unconstitutional government intrusion into families’ privacy
As Illinois House members consider regulating homeschools and private schools, Illinois Policy and parents across Illinois have registered their opposition to government intrusion into constitutionally protected rights.
‘Homeschool Act’ attacks religious rights of homeschool, private school parents
‘Homeschool Act’ attacks religious rights of homeschool, private school parents
House Bill 2827 would require the collection of personal information – including religious affiliation – of private school and homeschool families all over the state. That violates families’ constitutional rights.
Which teachers’ union affiliate represents your school district?
Which teachers’ union affiliate represents your school district?
Dues money collected by local teachers unions rarely stays local. Instead, money flows up to state or national affiliates, where the priorities are politics and union boss expenses – not representing teachers.
Angela Harris
Angela Harris
Angela Harris homeschools six children on the South Side of Chicago – two of her own, plus four cousins. She attended Cherry Pie Day at the state capitol to oppose House Bill 2827, which would force her family to register with the local public school. “I worked with families in social services, and even before...
Latasha Fields
Latasha Fields
Latasha Fields is a mom of four and homeschool advocate on the South Side of Chicago. She founded a homeschool co-op and a microschool to help other South Side families teach their children independently. She is one of hundreds of parents who rallied at the Statehouse in opposition to House Bill 2827, which intends to...
Illinois lawmakers attack parents’ constitutional rights
Illinois lawmakers attack parents’ constitutional rights
House Bill 2827 would require all Illinois private schools to report personal information about students to local and state authorities – a prime example of Illinois government overreach and an infringement of parents’ constitutional rights.
Shaunta Gray
Shaunta Gray
“I’m a realtor and a real estate appraiser, so I’ve seen how property taxes is a big issue. In 2021, I was appointed to be a school board member, and in 2023 I won an election to stay on the school board, so this is my first full term as an elected official.” “In that...
Parents would see what children are learning under school transparency bills
Parents would see what children are learning under school transparency bills
Illinois schools would be required to share curriculum materials with parents under a pair of bills in Springfield. State Rep. Amy Grant’s House Bill 3806 and state Sen. Andrew Chesney’s Senate Bill 2080 require school materials be made available to parents.
Illinois Democrats again attack parents’ rights to choose best education for their children
Illinois Democrats again attack parents’ rights to choose best education for their children
Democratic state lawmakers are making another attack on parents’ rights and educational choice in Illinois. A bill would require homeschooling parents to file annual reports to avoid truancy charges, be credentialed and have their curriculum reviewed.
Spend $93K per student and what happens? None can read at grade level.
Spend $93K per student and what happens? None can read at grade level.
Not a single 11th-grade student was proficient in reading or math in 2023-2024 at Douglass Academy High School. The near-empty school has the highest per-student spending in Chicago Public Schools.
Illinois students show continued struggles in reading, math on national exam
Illinois students show continued struggles in reading, math on national exam
The nation’s report card was just released and shows Illinois students continue to struggle to meet proficiency standards in reading and math. State leaders are spinning 8th-grade results as a win, but in reality, they lag. Ignored are the struggles of younger students.