|
|
| |
|
Proposals
- Increase Funding: $300 million increase in education funding. Priority areas include:
- A 6th straight increase in General State Aid
- More funding for special education mandated categoricals
- Additional support for early childhood education
- Funding for programs that attract and retain quality teachers
- Fund School Construction - The proposed fiscal year 2009 capital budget includes $3.8 billion for school construction, including school maintenance and support for early childhood programs that build on the success of Preschool for All.
What We’ve Done
Over the last five years, Governor Blagojevich has provided $5.9 billion in new dollars for Illinois schools, more than any Governor in Illinois history. This new money has resulted in record funding for the foundation level and early childhood education and increased overall support for schools and students. These funds have also allowed us to make key investments in areas we know children need to succeed. Children need:
- A Good Place to Learn
- Strong Teachers and Administrators
- Quality Materials
- Enough Time to Learn
- The Financial Resources to Get It Done
A Good Place to Learn
Providing Alternative Learning Opportunities
Governor Blagojevich created a task force on re-enrolling students who dropped out of school, and in 2008 included over $20 million for the Truant Alternative and Optional Education Program, $18.5 million for the Regional Safe Schools program, and $4 million for re-enrolling student programs.
Strong Teachers and Administrators
Resources for Special Education Teachers
The Governor’s FY08 budget provided the first increase in mandated categorical program funding in over 20 years.
Supporting Educator Mentoring Programs
ISBE has been taking steps to both develop and continue implementing teacher and administrator mentoring programs.
Increasing Incentives to Encourage Educator Quality
Consistent budget support for initiatives like the Grow Your Own Teacher program to help us attract and retain teachers for our classrooms.
Quality Materials
Improving Textbook Quality
In FY08, additional funds were put into the Textbook Loan Program to encourage school districts to replace books on a six-year cycle and to make sure the neediest districts have their needs met.
Enough Time to Learn
Preschool Funding
The Governor continued to deliver on his multi-year commitment to early childhood education through Preschool for All, increasing funding by 90 percent, or $164 million over the past five years, a historic increase.
Provided consistent support for proven strategies to raise student success including after-school tutoring, professional development, improving curriculum and materials, offering longer school days, and other programs and options to improve results.
The Financial Resources to Get It Done
Increased the Foundation Level for the Sixth Straight Year
FY08 marked record increases in General State Aid, raising the Foundation Level for the sixth straight year.
Encouraging Performance Accountability
The State is funding services that make a difference for struggling kids and is actively working with underperforming districts.
P-20 Council
Governor Blagojevich signed legislation last year creating the State’s first P-20 Coordinating Council. In cooperation with education stakeholders and agencies, Governor Blagojevich will form the Council and bring the group together for its first meeting in the summer of 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
