Illinois lawmakers pitch universal college acceptance for some students

Illinois lawmakers are looking at a plan that could make it easier for some high schoolers in the state to stay here for college. (Pixabay)

 

By Illinois Radio Network/Benjamin Yount

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers are looking at a plan that could make it easier for some high schoolers in the state to stay here for college, but not everyone is happy about the idea.

Illinois’ colleges and university have been looking for ways to keep the best and brightest from Illinois in Illinois for years.

State Rep. André Thapedi, D-Chicago, is pitching a plan to help do that by automatically accepting any student in the top ten percent of their graduating class into any college or university in Illinois.

“If you’re graduating in the top ten percent of your class, I don’t care what high school you went to, that means you have shown some dedication to your craft,” Thapedi said. “You are what I consider to be an emerging leader in this state. I would like to keep those kids here.”

But some universities, particularly the U of I, worry that automatic acceptance could have some students going to a school that they are not ready for.

“As a Tier One research institution, we are not configured at Urbana-Champaign to provide a great deal of remedial education for students who are not ready for an advanced college curriculum,” said Kevin Pitts, the vice provost for undergraduate education at the University of Illinois.

Thapedi’s proposal, House Bill 26, is waiting for a vote in the Illinois House.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…