HB 605 needs support

HB 605 is a bill currently being considered by the General Assembly that requires the Illinois State Board of Education ( ISBE) to prepare a new report card for every district and school by October 31, 2013 and update the cards yearly thereafter.

The new cards would include detailed demographic data on students in addition to the gender, race and subgroup information now required. Mobility rates, curriculum data (percentage of students in advance placement courses, for example, or career/technical education instruction), percentage of students graduating "career ready" and a host of other data bits not currently reported will be required.

The revised report card was proposed and developed by the Illinois P-20 Council which sought to create a more informative and understandable school district report card.  

In fact, the Council has tested its proposal toward that end. Its project included subjecting the card to "stakeholders" in focus groups statewide. A survey of participants suggested 90% find the reports "easy to understand" and expect to use the cards.

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago endorses this bill and believes it will have a positive impact on our educational system. We urge you to join us by contacting your local legislator and advocating for its passage.