Eleanor Finch
The Illinois Constitution guarantees free public education for its residents. Article X of the constitution, which is dedicated to education, establishes that the state shall provide an efficient system of high-quality public educational institutions and services, with education in public schools through the secondary level being free. The state has the primary responsibility for financing public education, and the constitution prohibits the use of public funds for religious instruction. The Illinois public school system serves students from prekindergarten through grade 12, with various school choices such as charter schools, homeschooling, and private schools.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goal | Free schools |
| State Responsibility | Provide an efficient system of high-quality public educational institutions and services |
| Education Level | Secondary level |
| Financing | The state has the primary responsibility |
| State Board of Education | Appointed by the Governor from around the state |
| Chief State Educational Officer | Appointed by the State Board of Education |
| Public Funds for Sectarian Purposes | Forbidden |
| School Choice Options | Charter schools, education tax credits, homeschooling, online learning, private schools, and mandatory intra-district public school open enrollment |
| Number of Students | 1,925,415 (as of 2022) |
| Number of Schools | 3,977 (as of 2022) |
| Number of Teachers | 130,467 (as of 2022) |
| Teacher-Student Ratio | 1:15 (compared to the national average of 1:16) |
| Spending per Pupil | $17,293 (as of 2020) |
| Graduation Rate | 86% (2018-2019 school year) |
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What You'll Learn
Illinois Constitution Article X
Article X of the Illinois Constitution is entitled "Education" and consists of three sections.
Section 1 of Article X outlines the goal of providing free schools for all, with a focus on the educational development of every person to the limits of their capacities. It states that the state is responsible for creating an efficient system of high-quality public educational institutions and services, and that education in public schools through the secondary level shall be free. The state holds the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education.
Section 2 establishes the State Board of Education, which is responsible for appointing a chief state educational officer. The number of members on the board, their qualifications, terms of office, and manner of election or selection are determined by law. The board has the authority to establish goals, determine policies, plan and evaluate education programs, and recommend financing.
Section 3 of Article X prohibits the use of public funds for sectarian purposes. This means that neither the General Assembly nor any local government entity shall appropriate or pay from public funds to support any church or sectarian institution, including schools, colleges, or universities. It also forbids the state or any public corporation from granting or donating land, money, or other personal property to any church or for any sectarian purpose.
Article X of the Illinois Constitution strengthens the state's commitment to providing tax-paid education through high school and upholds the prohibition on using public funds for religious instruction, which was first established in the 1870 Constitution.
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Public funds for sectarian purposes forbidden
Article X of the Illinois Constitution is entitled "Education" and consists of three sections. One of the main goals of the Illinois Constitution is to ensure that all people in the state have access to high-quality education, with the state providing an efficient system of public educational institutions and services.
Section 1 of Article X states that providing free schools is a fundamental goal of the people of Illinois, with the state taking primary responsibility for financing public education. This includes ensuring free education in public schools through the secondary level.
Section 3 of Article X, titled "Public Funds for Sectarian Purposes Forbidden," explicitly prohibits the use of public funds for any sectarian or religious purposes. It states that neither the General Assembly nor any county, city, town, township, school district, or other public corporation shall appropriate or pay from any public fund to support any church or sectarian purpose. This includes prohibiting the use of public funds to support or sustain any educational institution controlled by a church or sectarian denomination.
Furthermore, this section forbids any grant or donation of land, money, or other personal property by the state or any public corporation to any church or for any sectarian purpose. The state of Illinois has a clear commitment to keeping public funds separate from religious institutions, ensuring that tax-paid education remains secular and available to all.
The Illinois Constitution's Article X, Section 3, reinforces the separation of church and state in education, guaranteeing that public funds are used solely for non-sectarian purposes and upholding the state's dedication to providing free and secular education to its residents.
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State Board of Education
Article X of the Illinois Constitution is dedicated to education and consists of three sections. Section 1 outlines the goal of providing free schools, stating that:
> "A fundamental goal of the People of the State is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities. The State shall provide for an efficient system of high-quality public educational institutions and services. Education in public schools through the secondary level shall be free. There may be such other free education as the General Assembly provides by law. The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education."
Section 2 of Article X establishes the State Board of Education, outlining its composition, roles, and responsibilities. The Board is responsible for overseeing and governing the state's public education system, with its specific duties and powers outlined as follows:
- Establishing goals and determining policies for public education.
- Planning, evaluating, and implementing education programs.
- Recommending financing for educational initiatives.
- Appointing a chief state educational officer to oversee the day-to-day operations of the state's education system.
The State Board of Education in Illinois is composed of members appointed by the Governor from different regions of the state. The number of members, their qualifications, terms of office, and specific methods of selection or election are determined by state law. This board structure allows for regional representation and input in educational decision-making.
Additionally, Section 3 of Article X prohibits the use of public funds for sectarian purposes. This ensures that state funds are not used to support or sustain any educational institution controlled by a church or sectarian denomination. This provision maintains a clear separation between church and state in the realm of public education.
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School choice options
The Illinois Constitution guarantees tax-paid education through high school, and the state has a responsibility to provide an efficient system of high-quality public educational institutions. The state also has a duty to finance the system of public education.
In Illinois, there are several school choice options for K-12 students and their families. Here are some of the alternatives to assigned local public school options:
- Charter schools: These are publicly funded schools that are free from many of the regulations that restrict traditional public schools. In the 2015-2016 school year, there were approximately 145 charter schools in Illinois, enrolling about 64,400 students.
- Magnet schools: Magnet schools, or theme-based schools, are public schools of choice that use specialized subject areas or innovative learning approaches to attract students from diverse backgrounds. There are more than 100 magnet schools in Illinois, serving 4.1% of the K-12 student population.
- Open enrollment policies: Under open enrollment policies, students may transfer to traditional public schools within their district or outside their home district.
- Private schools: Private schools are operated by private organizations and typically rely on tuition, private grants, and donations for funding. Illinois has a Tax Credits for Educational Expenses program, which allows families to claim a tax credit for educational expenses, making private school more affordable.
- Homeschooling: Homeschooling is another option for families in Illinois, and the state's Tax Credits for Educational Expenses program also applies to homeschooling expenses.
- Online learning: Students in Illinois can also choose from a variety of online learning options.
- Microschooling: Microschooling is a smaller, more personalized learning environment that offers a unique educational experience.
These school choice options allow students and their families to choose the best educational path that suits their needs, interests, and strengths.
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Public school system structure
Article X of the Illinois Constitution guarantees free public education in the state. The article outlines the state's commitment to providing an "efficient system of high-quality public educational institutions and services". It also specifies that education in public schools through the secondary level shall be free of charge.
The Illinois public school system is organised into 852 school districts, including 368 elementary districts, 97 high school districts, 386 unit districts, one Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice district, and two cooperative high schools. These districts are organised by regions set by the Illinois State Board of Education and are not bound by county boundaries. The state classifies Chicago Public Schools separately from other school districts.
The Illinois State Board of Education is responsible for establishing goals, determining policies, providing for planning and evaluating education programs, and recommending financing. The Board also appoints a chief state educational officer. The Illinois School Boards Association is the main education government sector lobbying organisation.
Public school funding in Illinois comes primarily from local funds. The state has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education. The General Assembly is responsible for making appropriations for all expenditures of public funds, ensuring that proposed expenditures do not exceed the estimated funds available. The Assembly also appoints an Auditor General to conduct audits of public funds and report their findings and recommendations.
Illinois spent approximately 13.3% of its budget on elementary and secondary education during the fiscal year 2013, amounting to $16.7 billion. This was a higher expenditure than any of its neighbouring states. However, as a percentage of its total budget, Illinois spent less on public education compared to its neighbours.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to Article X of the Illinois Constitution, a fundamental goal of the state is to ensure the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities. The state is responsible for providing an efficient system of high-quality public educational institutions and services, and education in public schools through the secondary level shall be free.
The State Board of Education in Illinois is responsible for establishing goals, determining policies, planning and evaluating education programs, and recommending financing. They also appoint a chief state educational officer.
The members of the State Board of Education are appointed by the Governor from across the state.
Yes, the Illinois Constitution prohibits the use of public funds for any sectarian purposes. This means that public funds cannot be used to support or sustain any school or institution controlled by a church or sectarian denomination.
