Illinois’ charter public school sector is among the top performing in the nation; each charter school has an open enrollment policy with no admissions requirements permitted under state law. Charters consistently outperform their district-operated counterparts on critical measures of student achievement such as:

• Attendance
• Achievement tests
• College success

• Drop-out rates
• High school graduation

NEWS AND UPDATES

Video: Obama and Illinois Charter Public Schools

Video: Charters Change Lives - Parent Testimonials

Nation: Obama touts charter public schools as viable public education solution

McCain, Obama Speak Out for Charters

Read what the candidates said here or watch the video

Our results have been documented by the media and acknowledged by experts:

Chicago Tribune "Tribune study finds charters outperform" Nov 2, 2008

Waukegan News-Sun Editorial "A charter school" October 18, 2008

Rockford Register Star "Interest in charter school still high"

October 15, 2008

 

But our elected leaders in Springfield have failed to hear the message that charter public schools Change Lives and to Change More Lives we need more charters.

This year for the first time since Barack Obama led the effort to double the number of charter public schools in Chicago, the State Senate passed legislation to increase the number of charters statewide from 60 to 100. But it went nowhere in the House.

We need your help to push Springfield to create more schools in Illinois.