Welch Discusses School Funding, Career and College Readiness Priorities with Education Leaders
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch joined school administrators from across the state for a discussion on education funding, college and career readiness, teacher retention, and school safety priorities at the Education Leadership Forum held Wednesday at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
“I got my start in public service on my local school board, so I know the critical role school administrators play in the development of our young people,” Welch said. “I truly value the opportunity to meet with the leaders who made education funding reform a reality, who prioritized college readiness and career training in our high schools, and who have championed incentives we need to recruit new teachers and keep great teachers on the job. Our principals, superintendents, school board members, and teachers know the next steps Illinois needs to prepare students for 21st Century jobs, to make sure our schools and communities are safe places to learn, and to continue moving Illinois forward. Let’s take those next steps together.”
Welch joined members of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), Illinois Principals Association (IPA), Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), and other partner organizations to discuss the groups’ Vision 2030 plan, which lays out priorities for continued investment in public schools, college and career readiness from an earlier age, teacher retention, and school safety.
Throughout his time in Springfield, Welch has worked with these organizations to enact major reforms, including:
The historic evidence-based funding model which transformed how schools are funded and prioritizes innovative teaching practices. Since becoming Speaker in 2021, Welch has delivered more than $1.4 billion in new funding for classroom education through this model.
The Postsecondary Workforce Readiness Act, which helps put more students on the path to college, allows them to graduate with career pathway endorsements, and expands access to dual credit programs.
New measures to address the teacher shortage by incentivizing teaching, reforming licensure testing, and removing barriers that were holding educators back.
