Earlier this spring, a group of concerned parents and taxpayers in the U-46 school district assembled to discuss their collective concerns about the state of public education and the overarching impact on students and the community. Now organized under the moniker Parents and Taxpayers for Children in U-46 (PTC) their mission is to engage, educate and empower parents, students, teachers and taxpayers to not just push back on a system that is failing their children, but to create meaningful change in public education.

In short time, they’ve done a deeper dive into what’s going on in our schools. They are rejecting the progressive, non-evidence-based programs that have supplanted Reading, STEM+, and high-value vocational training. Proof of the district’s failure to educate their children is here. The data has been sourced directly from the Illinois State Board of Education. Data for 2020-21 has been deliberately left out so as not to provide a distraction from the matter that schools have been failing long before the COVID mitigation policies.

Wirepoints has also sounded the alarm in their recent indictment of public education. Their report is here.

We can no longer ignore the crisis. Proficiency rates in the single digits and social promotion through grade 12 has left 70% of kids without the education required to advance into higher education, including technical/vocational schools, nor compete in the 21^st century workplace and economy.

Employers and industry leaders lament the significant skills gap in math, reading and essential soft skills in the workforce indicating that our schools are failing our children’s basic educational needs.

The Wall Street Journal reported on a higher correlation between school performance and home values. This impacts the net wealth of families for whom their home is often their single largest asset.

The sum effect of these issues means economic disaster for communities around the state. It predicts the end to a civil and prosperous society. THIS is likely the greatest Civil Rights Movement of today. The time to take action is now. Our kids cannot wait any longer.

To help understand the issues and get equipped for the challenge, Parents and Taxpayers for Children in U-46 is hosting a “Back to School Picnic” on Sunday, August 21^st at 2:00pm. The event is free, but registration is required by Ticket Leap. Click here to view the invitation. For those who would like to volunteer to help with this event, you can find opportunities to lend a hand here.

If you know of a friend or family member you think might benefit from attending, or who may want to get involved, please share this information with them. We can’t do this alone.

IFI Editor’s note: It’s extremely refreshing to see determined parents do whatever it takes to protect their children from godless indoctrination rampant in public education. We hope that others will be inspired to do the same in their children’s school districts. Or better yet, teach them yourself and instill the values you want them to know.