A report released this month by the Network for Public Education ranked Illinois an "A" grade for its overall support of public schools.

One organization gives credit to state legislators who worked to end the state's "Invest in Kids" voucher program. The findings in "Public Schooling in America" claimed there were 240 new private schools in 2022-2023, and 30 of them had enrolled 25 or fewer students. The study paints it as a burden on families and taxpayers.

Cassie Cresswell, executive director of Illinois Families for Public Schools, said vouchers have been a drain on public education.

"We have sent more than a quarter-billion dollars off to private schools that discriminate; that have really almost no oversight over how those dollars are being spent," Cresswell asserted. "It's really a relief, as a public school advocate, to know that this isn't going to be happening anymore."

High-poverty districts receive less funding than well-resourced districts, and the study ranks Illinois near the bottom in this category. The national report graded every state on privatization and home schooling laws, financial support for public schools, and whether students receive what it calls "honest instruction free of political intrusion." Backers of private schools said they give parents more choice in their kids' education.

The report gives higher marks to states rejecting book bans, corporal punishment, unqualified teachers and intolerance of LGBTQ+ students. It said the practices violate teachers' and students' rights.

Ann Courtier, education issue specialist for the League of Women Voters of Illinois, said the group backs maintaining democratically governed public schools welcoming all students.

"We have laws in Illinois that support culturally relevant teaching," Courtier pointed out. "They protect students from bullying, and they protect student rights. Illinois laws reject book bans explicitly, and promote physical and emotional safety for our students."

Courter believes legislators made the right choice to discontinue using public dollars for schools lacking transparency and accountability. She believes the desire for equity and racial justice among Illinois legislators and the league's membership will "rise to the surface," and funds will be equitably redistributed.


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A Connecticut group is hosting an information clinic tomorrow about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid program, known as FAFSA.

The Center for Latino Progress is hosting the session to help students access financial resources to attend college. Technical issues delayed FAFSA submission for many students this year and the application process can be overwhelming.

Naomi Arroyo, youth development specialist at the center, said one of the most important parts of the process is establishing a FAFSA ID.

"It takes three to five days for the FAFSA ID to be completed and that is practically the first step of the FAFSA process," Arroyo explained. "But it is not the FAFSA application. It is an identification code saying this is who I am, it has been verified by FAFSA, so that when you click in the actual application, you don't have to fill out all of the necessary personal information."

She noted those participating in the clinics should have their FAFSA ID prepared before attending. The clinic will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Center for Latino Progress' main offices on the second floor of 95-97 Park Street in Hartford.

While it is the first time the Center for Latino Progress has done such an event, Arroyo pointed out they have enough funding to do it again. She noted community feedback has been positive since having a guide for the FAFSA speeds up the process. Arroyo added aside from technical issues, tax questions on the FAFSA can create barriers for families.

"All those little tricky tax form questions can be a challenge if you're a student," Arroyo acknowledged. "Or, if you're a parent and you're not sure where to put that information, it can be a lot."

The clinic is also designed to help people fill out a physical FAFSA form if the online version gets too unruly. Arroyo said some parents might not be familiar with the FAFSA and are unaware of how much support for which their children can qualify. The hope is the clinic bolsters education access for students and the community.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.

Grants to help students overcome financial hurdles to complete degrees and certificates in science, technology, engineering, and math fields are now available through the Last Mile Education Fund.

Ruthe Farmer, founder and CEO of the fund, said society has invested roughly $477,000 by the time an average STEM student reaches his or her junior year.

She said helping them make it to the finish line is a win-win.

"Because the best outcome for society is that person graduating, using that college degree and all their investment in time, to contribute," said Farmer. "If they don't graduate, and they're stuck with a bunch of debt and they'll never earn the amount of money they could have, we all lose."

Eight in ten students from low-income families don't complete their degrees - largely because of a lack of financial resources to weather life events, such as a broken-down car or unexpected medical expense.

Since its inception, the fund has awarded more than 8,000 cash grants, totaling nearly $9 million. Forty-two percent of grantees were Black, 20% Hispanic, and 53% women.

Farmer encourages students to fill out an application online at 'lastmile-ed.org.'

"We have a listing there of all of the types of grants that we offer," said Farmer. "But it's not up to the student to have to figure all of that out. Just tell us who you are, complete the application, and we're going to find every dollar that we have available that matches with you."

STEM graduates earn on average $43,000 more per year than non-graduates, and more than twice as much as non-graduates over their lifetime.

Farmer said investing in students also boosts Colorado's economy.

"Because what we need is qualified workers in technology that are contributing to the innovation economy," said Farmer. "Especially in Colorado, that's a big part of our economy."

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.




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It is back-to-school time, and health experts are offering tips about improving children's physical and mental well-being.

The advice comes amid a recent global increase in anxiety and other behavioral health issues among kids. In Virginia, about one in five children have had a major depressive episode, according to a 2023 report.

Dr. Tierra Oseji, a pediatrician for Permanente Medicine, said social media use is a major factor in these trends and suggests finding ways to limit the time kids spend using it.

"The use of screen is a privilege and it's not a default," Oseji asserted. "It should be considered after chores are done. After family time has occurred over dinner. After we've done outdoor play."

For children aged 13-17, 95% report using some form of social media. Oseji also suggested deactivating apps while learning and using parental control locks to limit screen time. Gov. Glenn Youngkin has asked Virginia school districts to look for ways to restrict cellphones in classrooms.

Beyond screen time, experts said it is important to keep up with nutrition, dental hygiene and physical checkups.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said having a routine like a good night's sleep and a sit-down meal can be beneficial.

"All of those things around consistency help your child feel more confident and secure and stable and also promote their health," Randall explained.

She suggested booking health checkups soon, as physicians are often busy this time of year. Virginia faces a shortage of doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and other health care workers.