Illinois

Paul Vallas: Illinois commission’s new recommendations on university funding don’t address racial inequities

Published

7 months ago

May 9, 2024

Paul Vallas: Illinois commission’s new recommendations on university funding don’t address racial inequities

The Illinois Commission on Equitable Public University Funding’s recommendation to allocate additional funding to universities based on race is not only misguided but also ignores the primary cause of inequities in higher education: the lack of school choice at the K-12 level.

This is not surprising, given that the commission was established under Public Act 102-0570 in 2021, with the premise that Illinois higher education is systemically racist and that more funding is the solution.

The commission’s primary goal was always to secure more funding, and it acknowledges that it is building upon the passage of the evidence-based formula in 2017, which changed how K-12 education in Illinois is funded. This formula pushed billions in new funds to local schools based on the notion that schools are underfunded, and that if they were adequately funded, academic success would follow.

The commission’s funding model, like the EBF model, includes a provision that base funding never drops at any university. This provision reduces the pressure to consolidate campuses. The bureaucrats sell this increased funding by wrapping it in equity arguments, asserting that universities cannot address equity issues because they are underfunded.

The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association in a 2022 report ranked Illinois No. 1 for state support for higher education. The report said the state allocated nearly $23,000 in funding per student to its universities for 2022. This is an increase of almost 55% from the 2012 level of $14,975. At No. 2 was Alaska at $18,436. The Illinois commission is asking taxpayers to provide another $1.4 billion in new funding to meet the goals stated in the report.

Page 25 of the commission’s report shows the numbers for one of the equity adjustments in the new funding formula, which incentivizes universities to admit minorities for greater funding. This formula values a Black student at $6,000, a Latino student at $4,000 and a rural student at $2,000.

The evidence presented for systemic racism is based on enrollment numbers and graduation rates by demographic. However, there is no attempt to examine the K-12 preparatory experience of students who graduated or failed to graduate. The commission is silent on the poor performance of public school children statewide.

School choice is welcomed at the higher education level for federal and state student financial aid — more than 54% of students enrolled in private colleges and universities have federal student loan debt. However, school choice is denied at the K-12 level. The Chicago Teachers Union advocates for getting rid of Chicago Public Schools’ charter and magnet schools as well.

National data speaks to the superior performance of minority students who attend charter or private schools. Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes tracked public charter outcomes of millions of students, finding that charter schools produce superior student gains; these schools outperform peers in math and reading despite enrolling a more challenging student population.

Private schools have enjoyed extraordinary success. Catholic school students saw the nation’s highest scores on all four National Assessment of Educational Progress exams. When disaggregated by race, Catholic schools have shown significant gains since 2019, leading the nation for Latino achievement on each of the four tests and Black student achievement on three of the tests.

Chicago Archdiocese Catholic schools showed similar results, with students defying the national trend of pandemic-related stagnation and decline in academics. Illinois Policy Institute analysis of Illinois State Board of Education data shows that low-income students in Illinois who received scholarships from the Invest in Kids scholarship program were proficient in reading and math at a higher rate in nearly every grade compared to low-income, public school students in Illinois.

The success of school choice is a story of unique, individualized learning experiences, not one of family wealth or selection bias. The commission’s accusation of systemic racism in the higher education system while ignoring the role of the systematic efforts to deny quality K-12 school choices to poor families, overwhelmingly Black and Latino, is scholarly malpractice.

It’s clear that too few students, disproportionately Black and Latino, are getting the preparation they need to complete a university degree. It’s not the colleges’ fault; it’s the responsibility of our public elementary and secondary schools. The denial of quality education choices at the K-12 level undermines college preparedness.

Throwing more money at the most heavily subsidized university systems in the country and the best-funded K-12 public schools of almost any state in the nation, absent the commitment to improve the situation, will do little to improve equity.

Paul Vallas is an adviser for the Illinois Policy Institute. He has run for Chicago mayor twice and was previously budget director for the city and CEO of Chicago Public Schools.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

Source link

Illinois

Kasparas Jakucionis scores a season-best 23 points as Illinois tops No. 19 Arkansas

Published

2 hours ago

November 29, 2024

Press Room

Kasparas Jakucionis scores a season-best 23 points as Illinois tops No. 19 Arkansas

CBS Sports HQ

Live

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Freshman Kasparas Jakucionis scored a season-high 23 points, Tomislav Ivisic had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Illinois beat No. 19 Arkansas 90-77 on Thursday in the Thanksgiving Hoops Showcase.

Jakucionis hit two free throws to give Illinois a double-digit lead with 3:49 remaining in the game. Arkansas had a turnover and a missed jumper on its next two possessions and Jakucionis hit an open 3-pointer to make it 85-71 at 2:42.

Kylan Boswell added 18 points for Illinois (6-1). Head coach Brad Underwood broke a tie with J. Craig Ruby (1922-36) for fifth place in program history with 149 wins.

Adou Thiero went 12 of 21 from the line and scored 26 points for Arkansas (5-2). Zvonimir Ivisic had 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks.

Takeaways

Tomislav Ivisic won the battle against his twin brother, Zvonimir. Along with his double-double, Tomislav Ivisic made 6 of 9 3-pointers and blocked three shots. The 7-foot-1 center, playing his first college season, had 13 points and seven rebounds in the first half.

Key moment

Illinois stated the game on a 21-6 run and maintained at least a nine-point lead the rest of the way. Ben Humrichous made the Illini’s fifth 3-pointer with 12:36 left in the first half while Arkansas was 3 of 9 from the field.

Key stat

Illinois made 55% of its shots in the first half, including 9 of 16 from 3-point range, while Arkansas was 0 for 7 from long distance and shot 44% overall. The Illini finished 15 of 31 from distance. Arkansas shot 5 of 17 beyond the arc.

Up next

Arkansas plays at Miami in the second SEC/ACC Challenge on Tuesday. Illinois plays at Northwestern on Dec. 6 to begin Big Ten play.

Source link

Illinois

Park Ridge, Illinois house left uninhabitable after fire

Published

9 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

Park Ridge, Illinois house left uninhabitable after fire – CBS Chicago

Watch CBS News

There were reports of victims trapped inside, but firefighters confirmed the home was empty when they arrived.

Source link

Illinois

Previewing the Illinois high school football state championship games

Published

17 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

Previewing the Illinois high school football state championship games

Top-ranked Loyola’s offense has three primary plays: running with Drew MacPherson, passing to MacPherson and running with quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald.

The key blocker on most of those Fitzgerald runs? MacPherson.

“[MacPherson] has breakaway speed,” Ramblers coach Beau Desherow said. “He’s also a really good receiver. His ability to block isn’t talked about enough. He’s a devastating blocker. He is a totally selfless player that will do whatever it takes to win.”

MacPherson leads Loyola (11-2) in touchdowns (19), rushing yards (1,038) and receiver yards (678). The Iowa recruit will be a major focus of York’s defense in the Class 8A state championship game at ISU’s Hancock Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m.

On the other side, the key is Bruno Massel. The Dukes’ quarterback may be the fastest in the state. The senior qualified for the Class 3A state track finals last spring in the 100 meters and 4×100 relay, earning a medal in the latter.

Massel vs. Loyola’s stout run defense is the matchup that could decide the game. Mount Carmel and Lincoln-Way East, programs that pride themselves on consistent running attacks, didn’t even attempt to succeed on the ground against the Ramblers this season.

The Griffins called just four rushing plays in the semifinals against Loyola and the Caravan ran nine rushing plays in a Week 9 loss to Loyola.

“We take away the run pretty early,” Desherow said. “Our defensive line has done an amazing job and our linebackers have stepped up. They are players. Max Mendoza had an amazing game [vs. Lincoln-Way East].”

This is the first title game appearance for York (11-2) The Ramblers, Mount Carmel in 7A and Nazareth in 5A are attempting to three-peat and all are favorites.

Batavia’s Nathan Whitwell (28) carries the ball against St. Charles North.

Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

Class 7A: Batavia (12-1) vs. Mount Carmel (10-3), 4 p.m. Sat.

This is a rivalry, but one-sided. Mount Carmel has ended Batavia’s last four seasons.

“The first time was a war,” Bulldogs coach Dennis Piron said. “The last three we had things happen in the first quarter and it got out of hand.”

The Caravan is young overall but has solid veteran leaders on both sides, including quarterback Jack Elliott and linebacker Matt Mucha.

“I’m the head coach but it is Jack Elliott’s team,” Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch said “It is not what I’m comfortable with it is what the kids see and what the kids trust. He comes with his own game plan on what we should run.”

Mucha has led the Caravan in tackles the last two seasons.

“Our defense is peaking at the right time,” Lynch said. “Mucha is the best linebacker in the state and will be one of the best players on the field Saturday.”

Batavia’s top weapon is senior running back Nathan Whitewell, who has rushed for 1,669 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Caravan is allowing 22 points a game this season and the Bulldogs’ best chance at an upset may be to get in a high-scoring shootout.

Geneva's Taylin Taylor (1) catches a pass and turns up field as the Vikings play Batavia. — Geneva’s Taylin Taylor (1) catches a pass and turns up field as the Vikings play Batavia.

Class 6A: Geneva (12-1) vs. East St. Louis (12-1), 1 p.m. Sat.

The Flyers dominated Loyola in Week 1 and their only loss was 14-13 to IMG Academy, a prep school powerhouse from Florida. East St. Louis is the best team in the state.

Flyers’ quarterback Kendrick Lyons has thrown for 2,402 yards and 31 touchdowns. Keandre McClendon leads the team with 12 sacks.

Geneva counters with perhaps the most talented player in the state, Georgia recruit Talyn Taylor. The senior wide receiver has scored 27 touchdowns.

Joliet Catholic’s Larry Stringham (24) carries the ball against Mount Carmel.

Class 5A: Nazareth (11-2) vs. Joliet Catholic (10-3), 10 a.m. Sat.

This could be the best game of the weekend. Nazareth is loaded with stars including quarterback Logan Malachuk and linebacker Gabe Kaminski. The Roadrunners have a special group of receivers in Garrett Reese, Jake Cestone, Trenton Walker and James Penley.

“Kaminski is a four-year starter and an awfully fun kid to watch,” Nazareth coach Tim Racki said. “He plays football the way it is meant to be played.”

The Hilltoppers don’t have a major star, just a lot of experience. It’s a testament to the strength of the program, which is tied with Mount Carmel for the most state titles, that it has advanced to another title game.

“This is probably the toughest schedule that I’ve been around as a coach or when I played here,” Joliet Catholic coach Jake Jaworski said. “We have definitely learned from those three losses.”

Running backs Larry Stringham (14 TDs) and Nate Magrini (13 TDs) lead the Hilltoppers’ attack.

DePaul's Juju Rodriguez (2) looks to pass during the Rams' 21-14 semifinal win against Coal City. — DePaul’s Juju Rodriguez (2) looks to pass during the Rams’ 21-14 semifinal win against Coal City.

Class 4A: DePaul Prep (10-3) vs. Mt. Zion (10-3), 7 p.m. Fri.

The Rams’ Cinderella run to state is the best story of the playoffs. DePaul Prep has a daring offense, led by daring quarterback Juju Rodriguez, running back Nick Martinez and receiver Braden Peevy.

Mt. Zion is a regular playoff contender but this is its first title game as well.

Montini’s Louis Corpora (38) carries the ball against North Lawndale’s Trevion Anderson (21).

Class 3A: Montini (11-2) vs. Monticello (11-2), 4 p.m. Fri.

Montini’s losses this season are to larger Catholic League powers Marist and Fenwick. The Broncos, led by quarterback Israel Abrams (1,778 passing yards, 24 TDs) are heavy favorites.

Class 2A: Chicago Christian (12-1) vs. Maroa-Forsyth (12-1), 1 p.m. Fri.

The school from Palos Heights led by first-year coach CJ Cesario could have its hands full with the Maroa-Forsyth, one of the state’s traditional small school powers. The Knights’ offense is well-balanced with Christian Flutman throwing for 23 TDs and Kenny Jager rushing for 27.

Source link