HB 1216 creates a commission charged with recommending ways Illinois school districts can improve student learning opportunities and reduce duplicative administration costs.
Simon’s Classrooms First Commission will examine spending that is far removed from students, to cut bureaucracy and redirect tax dollars toward students. The goal is for parents and children to see greater educational options, while services are streamlined in the back rooms of district administrative centers.
The commission will review factors such as academic offerings, performance, financial stability and enrollment in its analysis. Its recommendations are due to the Governor and General Assembly by July 1, 2012.
Read the law here.
Collaborative Approach
The commission is chaired by Lt. Governor Sheila Simon with the guidance of Dr. Lynne Haeffele, a research associate from Center for the Study of Education Policy at Illinois State University. Comprised of parents, teachers, administrators and policymakers from rural, suburban and urban areas, the commission will collect local opinions online and at public hearings.
Meet the members here.
Commission Work Structure
The commission’s work will be completed in three stages. During the first stage, the commission held public hearings across the state, which drew more than 400 attendees. The commission collected testimony from nearly 80 individuals and gathered additional ideas from 470 online survey submissions.
During the second stage the commission broke into smaller work groups focused on shared services, within-district efficiency and realignment. Over the course of three months the work groups met to develop draft recommendations. You can read the commission's full draft recommendation report here.
The third stage begins with public hearings in April that will give the public an opportunity to provide input on the draft recommendations. Individuals can also submit comments online. After collecting this public input the commission will finalize the recommendations and submit a final report to the Governor and General Assembly by July 1, 2012.
Process Overview
* House Bill 1216 was signed into law on August 23, 2011 as Public Act 97-0503, creating a commission to research issues affecting school districts. The commission is now known as the Classrooms First Commission.
Submit your suggestions and ideas here.