The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools works with superintendents, educators, and districts across the state to understand their needs and issues, which are then brought before state legislators in Springfield. This year, Senate Bill 1787 was passed, creating for the first time in the state of Illinois the Rural Education Advisory Council, explains Program Director John Glasgow:
“This will allow rural schools and really rural communities to have a direct voice to the Illinois legislature and the Governor’s Office about the concerns that really matter to them. Some concerns I think is just equity and funding. Equity is a pretty big word nowadays in about any circle. If we want to be serious about equity then we need to realize that there are half a million students outside of Chicago and the suburbs that go to school in Illinois public schools. If you look at the way that funding flows through a number of different programs, it isn’t always on equitable basis. It is not because there is some malign bias, it just so happens we just haven’t had the form to have a voice that is loud and present in the conversation, but now with this advisory council, we have that chance.”
The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools has been supporting public education in rural communities since 1982.
Hear the complete interview with Glasgow by clicking here.
