IL HR0543

Urges State Superintendent Koch and the State Board of Education to delay implementation of Common Core Standards until a cost analysis is completed showing expenses for both Common Core Standards and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career's testing.

Notes that Illinois adopted Common Core Standards in 2010 using federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Race to the Top Initiative without legislative authorization.

Identifies that the Pioneer Institute estimates implementation costs for Illinois at approximately $773 million over 7 years, with many school districts lacking technology, infrastructure, and funding for online testing and new textbooks.

Points out that approximately 67% of school districts currently operate with budget deficits and face pension cost-shifts and unfunded mandates, making additional Common Core compliance costs infeasible.

Requests the State Board of Education and General Assembly create a viable funding plan for school district improvements and modernizations needed to comply with Common Core Standards and related assessments.