SR0701 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0701 LRB094 20003 NHT 57476 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The quality of life and the economic success of Illinois citizens and the State are increasingly tied to postsecondary degree attainment; and

WHEREAS, A majority of current undergraduate students attend more than one college or university, with dual enrollment and credit by examination becoming increasingly common among college students; and

WHEREAS, Integrating existing information tools for students, such as Illinois MENTOR operated by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and the Course Applicability System funded by the Board of Higher Education, will assist in breaking down barriers for students and ease their transition from high school to college and their transfer from one college to another; and

WHEREAS, Information on college student preparation, participation, remediation, mobility, and performance is incomplete, not readily accessible, and not easily linked to other relevant education and workforce development data on a statewide basis; and

WHEREAS, The taxpayers of Illinois make large investments in the education of the State's citizens at all levels of instruction and should expect that educational institutions that benefit from State funds directly or indirectly will provide data to State policymakers that will allow them to evaluate educational policies and appropriate funds in the most beneficial manner for the State; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that that the Board of Higher Education strengthen and expand the existing shared enrollment data consortium to collect additional information on college student preparation, participation, mobility, and performance; maintain the data at a central location; and encourage participation by all Illinois institutions in the shared enrollment data consortium and the teacher data warehouse; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Board of Higher Education collaborate with the Joint Education Committee to evaluate existing education and workforce data collection methods and databases and develop an integrated longitudinal data system that will provide educators and policymakers with the information needed to align curriculum and instruction at all levels and ensure that Illinois taxpayer resources are deployed most effectively to prepare Illinois students and workers to compete in the global economy; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Governor, the chairperson of the Board of Higher Education, the chairperson of the Illinois Community College Board, the chairperson of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and the chairperson of the State Board of Education.