New Investment
Illinois is eligible for $2 billion in federal recovery funds to support elementary, secondary, and higher education and avoid budget cuts below the FY 09 funding levels:
- $800 million in fiscal year 2009 to support K-12 education;
- $1.2 billion in fiscal year 2010 to support K-12 and public higher education;
- This funds an increase of $174 million for K-12 education and $40 million for higher education in FY 10.
Accountability
With the increased investments in education comes increased accountability. To qualify for the recovery funds Illinois must meet four assurances:
- Standards and high quality assessments;
- Pre-K to college and career data systems;
- Teacher effectiveness and distribution of qualified teachers;
- Support and intervention for the lowest-performing schools.