Childrens' Future Riding
On Education Amendment

Passing the torch. What do generations pass on to other generations? What can younger generations offer to our society? The answer to both questions is resoundingly the same — the future.

Our future is forever tied with how well we educate our children — they will lead us into the next century. Our childrens' future is directly linked to the quality of education available to them. The torch is passed both ways.

Today, children receive wide ranging degrees of educational opportunities based on where they live and the affluence of their families; high standards for schools in wealthier communities and low standards in poor communities. In a free society, our education system cannot continue to be based upon such built-in societal prerequisites. Rather, every child living in Illinois should have an equal chance of getting a quality and challenging education based only on one thing —their willingness to learn.

This November, Illinois residents will be asked to vote on an amendment to the state constitution which would charge the state with the responsibility to provide fair educational opportunities to every child in Illinois.

If passed, the amendment to Article X of the Illinois Constitution will require the state to make education a fundamental right; assume responsibility as the major funding source for public education; and guarantee educational equality as a right of each citizen. These intrinsic responsibilities unfortunately do not exist today. A lack of fulfillment of education promises is hurting Illinois children day-by-day, year-by-year, and sadly, generation-by-generation.

For example, Illinois public schools in poor communities spend less than $3,000 per child on schooling, compared to over $10,000 per child in schools that are located in wealthy neighborhoods. These figures alone offer a stark view of the sheer "inequality of quality" our current educational system provides.

By voting for this amendment, Illinois residents will be sending a message to government leaders that inequality in education must not be tolerated. Rather, equitable, first class, public education should be our state's highest priority. Higher than the General Assembly's commitment to any of its many entitlement programs. Because this amendment is not about an entitlement, it's about a right which needs to be passed on to all children in Illinois. A right which they can pass back to the rest of society by being the very best they can be. Generations of Illinoisans are counting on our state's commitment to education — our commitment to passing the torch into the future. •

Page 20 / Illinois Municipal Review / October 1992