Illinois To Decertify Catholic, Private Schools

http://www.thechampion.org ^

[Writer1]

************************************************************************** ISBE DECIDES TO SHUT OUT PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS Citing budget constraints, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has decided to eliminate its state recognition process for nonpublic schools starting with the 2004-2005 school year.

Last year, about 800 private schools, most of them parochial schools, were certified by the State. This accreditation is important for many reasons, including: - Participation in IHSA athletics - Student access to many scholarships - Many colleges and universities require attendance at a state recognized secondary school as a prerequisite for admission - Many federal, state, and local grants are only open to state recognized schools - Some teacher retirement and professional development programs require employment by a state recognized schools

The ISBE says that they have made this decision due to budget constraints.

However, this program is relatively inexpensive (about $300,000/year).

On August 15th, Dr. Zach Wichmann, Associate Director for Education for the Catholic Conference of Illinois, will be meeting with State Superintendent Dr. Robert Schiller. Leading up to that meeting, we need to put pressure on the ISBE to reverse this decision and continue this program. Please call, email, and fax ISBE and tell them of your objection to this decision. Don’t let them brush you off by telling you to call the Governor’s office on this. This was a decision by the ISBE and they need to hear our concerns on this matter. Below is the contact information you can use to contact ISBE. Thank you for your support and efforts. Write to: Dr. Robert Schiller, Illinois State Board of Education 100 N. 1st Street OR 100 W Randolph, Suite 14-300 Springfield, IL 62777 Chicago, IL 60602

Call (These are general numbers; ask to leave a message for Dr. Schiller): 866 - 262 - 6663 OR 312 - 814 - 2220

Email: Visit the ISBE web site (www.isbe.state.il.us). Click on the "Contact Us" link, fill out the short form and log your message in the "Comments" section.

[Dudoight]

I should think if the SAT's and other testing vehicles that a college should overlook Illinois actions. However, is that the ONLY budget cut? Surely there are others.

[babyface00]

I'm sure this followed extensive cutting of the multiple layers of administration as well as reducing the salaries and benefits of the top-tier employees who aren't directly teaching students.

...and the moon is made of green cheese.

[fishtank]

Private/parochial school attendees have parents who pay taxes.....

no representation

[vaudine]

An obvious maneuver to totally control public schools and students--or is it just the money? Naaah! It's power and control. Take them to court and they will decide it's cheaper to certify.

vaudine

[Misplaced Texan]

That's only $375 per school. The school should be able to come up with that much for a state certification.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Last year, about 800 private schools... However, this program is relatively inexpensive (about $300,000/year).

That would be a $375 annual tax/fee on each accredited school, if worse came to worst. A nuisance, but hardly back breaking.

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP

[DoughtyOne]

Don't you think it's quite telling that the state didn't just start charging for that service, and continue it? For each school this would probably amount to one month's tuition fees from one or two students at most.

[orchid]

Better yet, threaten to close ALL the parochial and private schools, thereby forcing the ISBE to contemplate the possibility of educating many thousands of students costing many millions of dollars. $300,000 would be a small fraction of the cost of more schools, more teachers, more administrators, more benefits, etc. Imagine the outcry from taxpayers who would be forced to pay for all this. The ISBE will find that their only support will come from the teachers unions, whose selfish concern is POWER.

[SuziQ]

Most colleges don't require entering students to have attended an accredited school. There are many private schools that will NEVER be accredited for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of education, but because of the physical plant or some other reason. Most colleges don't even require a DIPLOMA in order to be accepted. There are many homeschooled students with home-made transcripts being accepted into colleges all across the country. They can even get Federal aid, because it would be discriminatory NOT to give it to them just for lack of a piece of paper from a so-called accredited school.

Most colleges look at SAT scores right off the bat, then will consider the students work shown on the transcript. For homeschool students who are not going through a credentialing process, they might require a portfolio showing samples of work done, but will accept that in lieu of a diploma. Ivy League colleges such as Brown University are even recruiting homeschooled students!