For eleven years Illinois charter public schools have been answering the challenge of turning “these kids” into “our kids!”

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

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

• Rand Corporation, “Achievement and Attainment in
  Chicago Charter Schools”
• Chicago Tribune Editorial August 22, 2008,
  “Senator Meeks Opportunity”
• Chicago Sun Times Editorial, May 5, 2008,
  “State should lift cap, pass bill”
• Rockford Register Star Editorial, April 15, 2008
  “Community is ready for the right charter schools”

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 no where in the House.

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