Illinois Faces Challenges in Educating Migrant Children
SPRINGFIELD – The surge of international migrants arriving in Illinois has presented a myriad of challenges for state and local officials, with one of the most pressing being the education of the children of those coming across the border.
Jeannie Stachowiak, superintendent of North Palos School District 117, shared with a legislative committee the impact of the crisis on her schools. She noted that over 40 percent of their students qualify for English learner services, with the numbers continuing to rise. This year alone, they have enrolled 83 newcomer students from 16 different countries, many of whom have experienced trauma and interrupted schooling.
Kimako Patterson, chief of staff at the Illinois State Board of Education, reported that in the last two years, 62,644 “newcomers” have arrived in the state’s schools. The majority are enrolled in Chicago Public Schools, but over 12,000 are in other districts, coming from 147 different countries.
To address the educational needs of these students, ISBE requested $35 million in new funding, although Governor JB Pritzker did not include it in his budget proposal. State Rep. Fred Crespo introduced bills to allocate the funding, but some advocates argue that the actual cost could be as high as $188 million for districts in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Crespo emphasized the importance of discussing the true cost of educating migrant students, as their population growth in some districts has been significant. While Pritzker proposed a $450 million increase in overall education funding, advocates argue that funding for migrant students should be treated differently due to their unique needs and high mobility.
As the debate continues, the challenge of providing quality education to migrant children remains a top priority for Illinois officials.