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“This line will be expanded in FY27 to include implementation of
a numeracy plan modeled after the literacy plan to boost lagging
progress in math,” Seaton said.
State Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City, asked State
Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders about changes in state
testing standards.
“Why did the State Board of Education dumb down proficiency
expectations in the last year?” Wilhour asked.
“So we didn’t dumb down the proficiency expectations. We changed
the cut scores for the statewide assessments,” Sanders said.
The latest Illinois Report Card says 38% of students
demonstrated math proficiency last year, up from 27.9% under the
previous benchmarks in 2024.
Illinois State Board of Education Chair Steven Isoye told the
committee that evidence-based funding is at the heart of the
agency’s $10.9 billion budget ask.
“Roughly 75% of the requested increase, $350 million, is
dedicated to EBF because it remains districts’ top priority and
the state’s most effective tool for addressing inequity,” Isoye
said.
Wilhour said the board should do its due diligence about federal
tax credit scholarships that would not cost the state a dime.
“I really don’t want to hear people come in here and talk about
inequity in education and all this when you’re just leaving that
stuff off the table because of politics,” Wilhour said.
More than 20 states have opted into the program, but Sanders
echoed Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday by saying Illinois
officials are waiting for rules from the U.S. Department of
Labor.
Sanders also echoed Pritzker when Wilhour asked why property
taxes are so high in Illinois.
“That’s a local issue,” Sanders said.
Greg Bishop contributed to this story.
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