| This study examines how a new legal challenge to the school finance system in Illinois might be brought about as a result of recent changes in educational policy. The most recent school finance case in Illinois was resolved in 1996, but during the intervening period, there have been dramatic changes to the educational landscape with the passage and implementation of standards-based reform policies. These policies serve as the basis for defining what constitutes a "high quality" education in Illinois, the mandate of the State Constitution, and this definition is essential to a new case.; For any new challenge to be successful, the plaintiffs must first sort out some basic legal principles for the courts. First, the study examines how the plaintiffs can demonstrate that this case is appropriately decided by the judicial branch as opposed to the executive or legislative branches. Second, the study demonstrates that the State of Illinois is responsible for primary and secondary education in Illinois. Using court cases which stretch across nearly a century, it has been demonstrated that local control is, legally, a myth.; From there, this study provides a legal definition for a "high quality" education in Illinois. This point is critical because in previous decisions, the courts had stressed their inability to develop such a definition. As a result of the aforementioned policies of standards-based reform, this study demonstrates that such a definition has now been created by the legislative and executive branches with the help of the People of the State of Illinois.; Using this definition, the balance of the case rests on whether or not students in Illinois benefit from this "high quality" education as it has been defined. To examine this point in greater detail, data from a variety of sources is used as evidence. The evidence proves that Illinois does not maintain "an efficient system of high quality public educational institutions and services." The report concludes with recommendations on the policies the General Assembly might approve to meet this constitutional requirement. Additionally, the report asks critical questions regarding the standards-based reform movement on which this case is based. |
