Education is one of the important needs of people in society. Illinois has tremendously seen the increase of prices of shelter, food, gasoline and other basic needs. However, approximately four years the state has not increased the school fees. On the same note, the state aid that each school receives have not been revised since the year 1997. It is worth noting that the main focus of current education funding system in Illinois is not about the student but who control the distribution and flow of taxpayers’ money (Leyden 123). Illinois focuses on shifting towards crucial system of funding schools. The Senate Bill 16 is known as the School Funding Reform Act of 2014 is one of the bills that expected to improve the funding system in district schools. The bill is a plan on how schools should be funded in Illinois. The absence of a plan and system of funding schools in Illinois led to disparities. Most of the schools in Illinois reported deficit spending; hence, the committee addressed the issues of funding disparities. Compared to other states, Illinois place a greater burden to the local school districts in funding the education system.
The main challenge that is facing the state on issues of education is achieving a constitutionally and meaningful pension reform that balances distribution of funds in schools. Compared to other states the source of funding schools in Illinois is more from property taxes. The segregation by race and poverty is also another issue that has affected the funding of schools in Illinois. In other states, the system of funding public schools tend to be fair, but Illinois have one of the unfair systems of funding public education (Leyden 129). Many states in the past have tried to change the system of funding education, but Illinois has done nothing for close to a decade. The funding system in public schools in Illinois is imbalanced and hurts the families, children, businesses, school districts, and taxpayers. Based on the economic perspective the funding system cuts across various components of the economy and society (People for the American Way, Washington, DC). The system was constituted, but the fact is that it is not serving the needs of students of Illinois.
In 1996, the court ruled out that the school funding system was unfair, and it required some changes. The funding system in Illinois is different compared to other states because it is based on student enrollment, property values, federal aid, and state appropriations, as well as tax rates. In this case, the tax and property rates dictate the amount of revenue that the district school can raise. It is these dynamics that have led to a wide gap in funding between various district schools in Illinois (Street 49). Critically, it follows that districts that collect low revenue from taxes rates, and property taxes receive the least funding. The districts that are wealth can ensure that schools get several facilities. Various states have implemented a new mechanism of funding district schools in order to create equity and children satisfaction, but Illinois still stick to the old funding system.
The Senate Bill 16 is known as the School Funding Reform Act of 2014 seek to outstate the school funding by giving more funds to poorer district schools. These are achieved by reducing the funds allocated to wealthier districts that have more local property tax wealth and low-income students. The supports of the bill assert that it develops a single funding mechanism based on the needs of students. The formula would focus on the ability of districts to contribute towards local funds intended for school support (Chico & Koch n.p). The Senate Bill 16 also receives tremendous support because it creates a platform for fairness, equality, and justice for all students. The move reduces the gap between the wealth and the poorest district schools. Those opposing the bill fear that funds from wealthy schools would be taken. Other elements of the Senate Bill 16 include prioritizing resources base on student needs and enhancing transparency.
Work cited
Chico, Grey and Koch, Christopher. Illinois State Board of Education. Senate Bill 16-School Funding Reform Act of 2014. Illinois: Springfield, 2014
Leyden, Dennis P. Adequacy, Accountability, and the Future of Public Education Funding. New York: Springer, 2004. Print.
McCarter, Kenya N. "Challenging Public Education Funding In Illinois: A New Approach. (Cover Story)." Minority Trial Lawyer 7.4 (2009): 1-10. Academic Search Premier. Web. 12 Dec. 2014.
People for the American Way, Washington, DC. "Inequity In Illinois: How Illogical School Funding Has Eroded Public Education. Special Report." People For The American Way (2004): ERIC. Web. 12 Dec. 2014.
Street, Paul. Segregated Schools: Educational Apartheid in Post-Civil Rights America. London: Wiley, 2013. Print
