Illinois Early Literacy Coalition Responds to ISBE’s FY26 Recommended Budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mea Anderson | manderson@stand.org
The following statement can be attributed to the Illinois Early Literacy Coalition:
“We want to thank the Illinois State Board of Education for including $3 million for implementation of the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan in its recommended budget, adopted at yesterday’s board meeting. We also appreciate the Board’s intention to produce a statewide numeracy plan. As the budget discussions continue among the Governor’s Office and legislature, we will make the case that while $3 million is a good start, it is not enough to achieve the impact on student outcomes that we all want.
ISBE’s “Goal 1.1” in its strategic plan says: ISBE will work with stakeholders to curate resources and develop instructional guides using evidence-based strategies to support the teaching of literacy in two or more languages.” In a recent Wednesday newsletter from ISBE, the literacy plan is cited as one of the top two accomplishments of this quarter century. And while we have rightfully celebrated this historic accomplishment, seeing that the plan is underfunded means we cannot slow our advocacy any time soon.
Members of our coalition are in the field every day talking to parents and educators. Recently, in a room full of over 100 teachers, one coalition member asked who had heard of the literacy plan and no one had. This is not an anomaly; most people we connect with day-to-day are still unaware that this tremendous resource exists.
We initially attempted to strengthen literacy instruction by supporting mandates. However, it became clear that the will of legislators, school leaders, and ISBE was to provide support and encouragement, rather than top-down mandates. In order for this approach to be meaningful, the plan and associated supports have to make it into the hands of the educators on the front lines teaching our children to read and write.
Additional funding, at a minimum, to provide stipends to local leaders and teachers to evaluate gaps in current instruction and commit to reform that will make classroom instruction aligned with the state Comprehensive Plan, will take the state plan to the next level – from a great document that most people have never seen to a transformational plan that truly improves literacy outcomes for students. For decades of stagnant literacy achievement to finally change, we need to do more than print off a plan. Meaningful reform must be funded, staffed with top talent, and held to ambitious measurable goals.”
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The Illinois Early Literacy Coalition includes individual and organizational supporters from across Illinois who believe the literacy crisis is urgent and solvable. We strive to improve public policy and funding to better align teacher and administrator preparation, professional development, curricula, and other supports with evidence-based instructional practices.