Illinois lawmakers are approving a massive reform bill designed to address racism and inequities in the state’s education system.
The legislation approaches the problem from several angles such as kindergarten readiness and a lack of advanced placement classes in poorer school districts.
Senator Kimberly Lightford says they also want to attract and retain more minority teachers, especially male teachers.
“In year one we are looking to specifically to attract African American male teachers are created and placed as soon as possible. They need to be visible for our young people.”
The bill also eventually requires two years of foreign language and two years of lab science to graduate from high school and creates freedom school programs to offer students additional opportunities to learn about leadership and civil rights.
Representative CD Davidsmeyer of Jacksonville says he supports improving education opportunities for students, but wonders how the state is going to pay for this.
“This is more spending from the state of Illinois that is going to have to cut current programs or we will just go further into debt. And it’s a property tax increase. They have to pay for it somehow.”
It’s now up to the Governor to sign it into law.
