IEA Urges Illinois to: Invest in Excellence
For three decades, the system for funding public schools in Illinois has made winners of some children and losers of others, all based on where those students live. IEA has taken an official position in favor of changing that system and is committed to executing a plan that will accomplish that goal.
“What we have is an intolerable situation. IEA, as the state’s largest education employees’ organization, has an obligation to show leadership on this issue,” said IEA President Ken Swanson.
“This is about the future of our students and our profession. We can settle for nothing less than the complete reform of a system that hurts students, education employees and the economy of our state.”
Background
In March 2006, the IEA Representative Assembly approved a new business item, previously sanctioned by IEA officers, managers, staff and the IEA Board of Directors, endorsing the initiative known as Invest in Excellence.
The goal is to pass legislation that will:
- Provide adequate resources to all preK-12 public schools.
- Provide adequate resources to all public higher education.
- Provide a long-term solution for pension system stability and funding.
- Do no harm to any public education entity.
- Incorporate positive components resulting in increased student achievement.
Since January 2007 there have been dozens of organizational meetings, including four stakeholder summits, meetings comprised of IEA governance, management and staff members.
“We all come to the table from different places but with the common goal of wanting to live up to the IEA mission,” Swanson said.
In addition, spring hearings were held statewide to allow IEA members to weigh in on the program, and hundreds of IEA members who gathered in Bloomington for the IEA Summer Leadership Academy, were briefed on the Invest in Excellence initiative and had a chance to offer their own opinions and suggestions.
Next Steps
IEA regions and locals will hold organizing meetings to discuss how rank and file IEA members can participate in this program at the grassroots level.
The IEA strategy for success calls for broadening the coalition that supports positive change in the way schools are funded. IEA is a charter member of the A+ Illinois coalition (aplusillinois.org), which includes educators, unions and business groups.
The coalition also plans to seek support from newspaper editorial boards throughout the state. Plans are under way to develop a variety of tools designed to inform and persuade, including brochures, Power Point presentations, public forums and videos.
Looking to the Future
While IEA has set a June 30, 2007 target date as the goal for passing legislation reflecting the Invest in Excellence principles, should the organization fall short next spring, the fight will continue.
“We mustn’t stop until we have achieved the ideals referred to in the IEA Mission Statement: … ‘to effect excellence and equity in public education and to be THE advocacy organization for all public education employees,’” Swanson said.