(NOTE: This additional page to therandompoet site is in response to reader feedback.)
1. THE INVEST IN KIDS PROGRAM PROVIDED SCHOOL CHOICE
The Invest in Kids program, launched in 2018, allowed private donors to fund scholarships for low-income Illinois children to attend a private school. In 2023, the program provided scholarships for 9,000 kids – with 20,000 on the waiting list. The program was popular and growing.
In 2023 the program was discontinued at the end of the year.
7 Representatives in Congress opposed Illinois’ Invest in Kids program. They issued the following statement in early November 2023.
“. . . We firmly oppose the continuation of the Invest in Kids program, and urge state law makers to allow the program to sunset . . .” (sources: see article in Daily Herald-dailyherald.com-Nov 8, 2023; Wall Street Journal-wsj.com-Nov 8, 2023-“Illinois’ ‘Invest in Kids'”; For more information on the credible sources used, see these poems: (Divest the Rest) and (No Choice For You).
The 7 Illinois Representatives were:
1st Dist: Jonathon Jackson
3rd Dist: Delia Ramirez
6th Dist: Sean Casten
7th Dist: Danny Davis
8th Dist: Raja Krishnamoorthi
9th Dist: Jan Schakowsky
13th Dist Nikki Budzinski
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2. NATIONAL SEX EDUCATION STANDARDS COME TO ILLINOIS
In 2021, while still in the Illinois legislature Delia Ramirez (3rd Dist) co-sponsored 2 bills (HB1736 and HB3071) that evolved into SB818. It was signed into law in August 2021. The law requires sex ed in Illinois to align with the NATIONAL SEX EDUCATION STANDARDS, CORE CONTENT AND SKILLS K-12. Rep. Ramirez is always hard-working, determined and displays successful advocacy on the issues most important to her. Illinois is the first state to implement this leading-edge issue. At this time, individual school districts, and parents, may still opt in or out.
See the document NATIONAL SEX EDUCATION STANDARDS, CORE CONTENT AND SKILLS K-12. These standards are extensive and vary by grade level. Here are several examples:
K-2; define gender, gender identity and gender-role stereotypes (pg19)
3-5: identify trusted adults, including parents, to discuss gender identity (pg21)
6-8: explain identity ranges . . . queer, pan-sexual, two-spirit, bi-sexual, etc. (pg26)
9-10: demonstrate correct barrier method steps . . . e.g. dental dams (pg31)
11-12: advocate for school and community policies for people of all gender identities (pg35)
For more information on the credible sources used, see this poem: (Illinois Parents Rejoice?)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Has your school district adopted the new sex ed standards in Illinois? Find the status (as of 2022 and 2023) of the sex ed curriculum in your school district on this spreadsheet. Not all districts are listed. Specific details need to be confirmed. This information is as accurate as the details that were provided or obtained within the 2022-2023 timeframe, when the information was gathered. Any new information is scheduled to be added to the spreadsheet in August 2024. The best option to obtain the status/content of any sex ed curriculum is of course to contact your local school board or superintendent.
With such a critical issue impacting our kids, it is best to check out these and additional details for yourself.
Find out which Illinois congressional district you’re in. (información en español)