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Advance Illinois

@advanceillinois.org

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An independent, objective voice to promote public education in Illinois that prepares all students to be ready for work, college and democratic citizenship.

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Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · Mar 27

1/3: In 2008, Advance Illinois was established to push for meaningful change so every child in Illinois has access to a high-quality education, no matter their background or zip code.

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 1d

When one teacher leaves a rural district, the impact is felt everywhere — from classrooms to communities. Learn why this challenge matters and what can be done in this installment of our SWI On-the-Ground series: hubs.la/Q03RSgq20 #SWI2025 #EducationEquity #RuralSchools

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 6d

The most powerful education #stories of impact come from the people living them. We’re highlighting how changes to federal education policies are affecting:
🎓 Students
👩‍🏫 Educators
🏠 Families
📊 Leaders & Researchers
Share your experiences here: hubs.la/Q03QBCc50 #Illinois #Education

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 6d

Illinois has been making postsecondary progress! With increasingly more Illinoisans holding high-quality degrees, the state is further strengthening its communities and local economies. Learn more about The State We’re In, in IL Public Education: hubs.la/Q03Q4JKc0 #swi2025

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 7d

Read our full statement on @ISBEnews’s just released 2025 Illinois Report Card. bit.ly/4qz59Q3
#Illinois #students #education #twill

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 8d

Join us on Nov. 5 at 12 p.m. CT for a presentation of findings from our new report, The State We’re In 2025, and a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities ahead. 👉 Register today! hubs.la/Q03PLFZs0 #swi2025 #Illinois #education #students

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 8d

Decades of state disinvestment in #highered have placed Illinois in the bottom half of states for college affordability, but a robust and equitable funding approach can turn the page and importantly make college opportunity more accessible to Illinois students. Learn more: hubs.la/Q03Q4DcZ0 #swi2025

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 14d

Strong, equitable outcomes depend on adequate and equitable funding. Illinois students can’t afford to wait another decade to attend fully funded schools. #fundtheformula

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 14d

Growth among Black and Latinx students, and students from low-income households and especially English Learners, highlight the importance of equitable supports so students can persist. Learn more about The State We’re In, in IL Public Education: bit.ly/swi2025 #swi2025

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 15d

Students, families, educators, and community leaders are living through the impact of changes to federal education policies and spending— and their voices and experiences should be heard. Share your story: hubs.la/Q03PHL-k0 #Education #Illinois #stories

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 15d

School funding has increased significantly, but with a $2.5 billion gap remaining & its effects unevenly distributed, more investment in EBF is needed to ensure more students gain access to adequately funded, high-quality education sooner. Learn more hubs.la/Q03PsM_D0 #swi2025

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 16d

Have 10 minutes? 💻 Join our office hours to learn how to submit public comment supporting $550M for Illinois schools:
📅 Oct. 23 (9–10am)
📅 Oct. 30 (5–6pm)
Your voice matters, let’s make it heard!
📧 [email protected]
#FundtheFormula #FundingIllinoisFuture #ISBEHearings

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 16d

Substantially fewer IL students in deeply underfunded schools districts means increasingly more schools are getting the resources needed to fully serve their students & support their ability to learn & thrive! Learn more about The State We’re In, in IL Public Education: hubs.la/Q03Pq0GQ0 #swi2025

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 16d

Powerful progress has been made with Evidence-Based Funding (EBF)! By directing funds more heavily to the school districts with the greatest need, Continued investments into EBF are helping ensure a high-quality education for all Illinois students. Learn more: hubs.la/Q03Pm0k60 #swi2025

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 20d

Amid these times, our president Robin Steans reminds us that it's important how we as adults show up: bit.ly/3J2Iqed

#students #children #Illinois #community #federal

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 21d

Strengthening learning conditions for #ECEC is crucial to improving quality and includes early childhood professionals compensation reflects their education and the importance of their work. Learn more about The State We’re In in IL Public Education: hubs.la/Q03NZc880 #swi2025

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 21d

Today, advocates across Illinois are raising their voices at the ISBE budget hearings to call for $550M in funding for our schools.
💬 Hear what one advocate shared about why this investment matters for students, educators, and communities across our state.
#FundtheFormula #ILSchools #ISBEHearings

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 22d

Providing valuable insight into the developmental readiness of Illinois children entering kindergarten, KIDS data should inform policy and practice decisions, further improve outcomes and close equity gaps. Learn more about The State We’re In, in IL Public Education: bit.ly/swi2025 #swi2025

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 23d

The cost of care has increased, with underinvestment pushing families with young children to grapple with difficult decisions. There is still work to do in Illinois to ensure all families have access to affordable care options. Learn more about The State We’re In: bit.ly/swi2025 #swi2025

Reposted by Advance Illinois

Chalkbeat @chalkbeat.org · 23d

The results from last school year’s MAP tests show that most students are still performing below their pre-pandemic peers. Math, though, is showing some improvement.

The good news is math gaps are narrowing. The bad news is reading scores haven’t budged.

The results from last school year’s MAP tests show that most students are still performing below their pre-pandemic peers. Math, though, is showing some improvement.

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Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 27d

This week we are reflecting on the critical role that safe communities play in anchoring student learning and growth.
Read the latest From the Desk of Robin Steans today. bit.ly/3J2Iqed
#students #illinois

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 28d

The mental health & wellness of Illinois students mirrors what’s happening across the country, and it’s concerning – demanding greater attention and targeted resources to support resilience and ultimately, learning. Learn more about The State We’re In: hubs.la/Q03M-WSL0 #swi2025 #ILEducationRecap

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 28d

ISBE budget hearings are happening this Oct.! Sign up to provide oral or written testimony today and let the ISBE know that you support adding $550M for Schools in FY27: hubs.la/Q03MWL290 #FundtheFormula
Need support? We have open office hours, reach out to at 📧[email protected]

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 29d

Keep going! Illinois has made progress turning around its history of underfunding across its education continuum but must pick up the pace. Generations of students are counting on us! Learn more about The State We’re In, in IL Public Education: hubs.la/Q03MrT-30 #SWI2025 #EducationInIllinois

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 29d

2/2 A HUGE thank you to City Club of Chicago and to our esteemed panelists:

Hon. Kimberly A. Lightford, Dr. Steven Isoye (Illinois State Board of Education), Linda Xóchitl Tortolero , JD (Latino Policy Forum), and Julie Morita, MD (The Joyce Foundation)

hubs.la/Q03Mx0CB0 #SWI2025 #EducationInIL

Advance Illinois @advanceillinois.org · 29d

1/2 Last week we proudly launched The State We’re In 2025, and it was inspiring to see so many come together for a powerful conversation about Illinois’ progress, challenges, and opportunities from birth through postsecondary education.