When the legislature enacted the Invest in Kids scholarship program for low-income students, subsequently terminated in 2023, it mandated that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) annually report on the “year-to-year learning gains” of students receiving scholarships and comparisons to “public school students with socioeconomic backgrounds similar to those of students receiving scholarships.”
ISBE fell short of the state’s expectations for a meaningful analysis of the program and has now issued a report five years overdue.
Third through eighth graders in Chicago Public Schools did not meet English and math standards at the same rate as other students in the state, according to 2023 Illinois report card data. It is unfair to compare the achievement of scholarship recipients, 68% of whom reside in Cook County and most likely left failing Chicago Public Schools for their private school of choice, to the achievement of all Illinois public school students.
The report also fails to disaggregate data to allow for a fair comparison not only across different geographical regions but also across income levels. The report’s authors claim the student-level data on demographic characteristics were unavailable. It’s doubtful that ISBE does not have such data. In any case, the scholarship-granting organizations could have provided the data if the research company would have asked for it. Regardless, it is unfair to compare Invest in Kids scholarship recipients, whose families make $45,0000 on average , to all students statewide without disaggregating for poverty or income level.
This oversight undermines the value of the academic analysis provided. The flaws do not stop there. The report also touches on concerns raised by some parents about the capacity of smaller private schools to meet the diverse needs of their student populations. They would likely receive the same responses if public school parents were questioned. Despite public schools receiving significantly higher funding per pupil, there persists a narrative — supported by the Chicago Teachers Union and district leaders — of inadequate resources to address students with diverse needs. While the district spends almost $30,000 per student, it claims the state is shortchanging it by $1.4 billion annually.
In fairness to the report, this may be more the fault of the media coverage that ignored the report’s pointing to strong satisfaction among the overwhelming majority of parents with the private schools their children are attending. That same media coverage overemphasized the religious nature of the schools selected while overlooking the fact that parochial schools have historically been the only private school option for poor families. These schools, primarily Catholic, not only managed to stay open through substantial financial support from their faith communities but have also demonstrated remarkable success in Chicago and across the nation among all student demographics.
According to a data analysis from the Manhattan Institute, “If Catholic schools were a state, they would be the highest performing in the nation on all four NAEP tests.” Students in Chicago Catholic schools achieve significantly higher test scores than the national average.
What of the critics who claim that superior Catholic school scores, graduation rates and college enrollment figures are simply a product of a higher socioeconomic status enjoyed by their students, and a selection bias favoring higher achieving white students for admission? The Manhattan Institute data shows that Catholic schools outperformed national traditional and public charter school averages for Black, Hispanic and low-income students. This data dispels the claim by opponents of school choice that success is the result of selection bias and family wealth.
Illinois stands alone in its decision to roll back its private school tuition support program, a move contrary to the national trend. Nearly 30 states provide some form of support for private schooling. Nine of the 12 Midwestern states, including Illinois, have at least one private school choice program , according to Illinois Policy Institute analysis.
The shortcomings of the “Invest in Kids” program’s report should serve as a catalyst for a more rigorous and nuanced evaluation moving forward. It’s imperative that we address these gaps in analysis to truly understand the impact of school choice on improving education for all of Illinois’ children. As we witness other states expand their support for private education, Illinois must reconsider its stance and recognize the potential of these programs to revitalize our education system and, most importantly, to offer our children the quality education they deserve.
Paul Vallas is an adviser for the Illinois Policy Institute. He has run for Chicago mayor twice and was previously budget director for the city and CEO of Chicago Public Schools.