HR0902 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0902 LRB100 21032 MST 36749 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The best way to ensure the success of high school graduates is to adequately prepare them for either entering a college or university or to immediately enter the workforce; and

WHEREAS, When analyzed it was found that over half a million, or one in four, of incoming college freshman were not ready for college-level work; and

WHEREAS, Due to this, many students must take remedial classes to better their reading, writing, and/or mathematical skills, costing American tax payers over $7 billion a year; and

WHEREAS, This college readiness gap disproportionately affects low-income and minority students when compared to their more affluent and white counterparts; and

WHEREAS, Many students who immediately enter the workforce after high school find they lack the basic reading, writing, mathematics, and other skills needed in order to have a successful career; and

WHEREAS, The ACT College and Career Readiness Standards were specifically designed to ensure high school students have the essential skills and knowledge needed to become effective students or workers; and

WHEREAS, Areas that have adopted the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards have seen improvements in both college and career readiness; and

WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of the State to use whatever avenues are available to prepare its students as much as possible for entrance into postsecondary education or the workforce; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we strongly urge Illinois to adopt the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards for high school English language arts, math, and science courses to ensure Illinois high school students are adequately prepared for higher education, to enter the workforce, or to follow whatever path they may choose; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to all members of the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor of the State of Illinois.