The Illinois Education Association (IEA) released its third annual State of Education report, the only bipartisan poll asking Illinoisans about all aspects of public schools. The data shows the COVID-19 pandemic has made teaching and learning more difficult, Illinoisans continue to trust educators most when it comes to all school-related matters and there is wide support for IEA’s health and safety related standards for schools during a pandemic. Seventy-nine percent of Illinoisans are in favor of the following:

• Establish clear metrics, so districts know when to switch to remote learning to keep students and staff safe;

• Provide rapid COVID-19 testing in schools so infected students and staff can be identified before they spread the virus;

• Ensure education employees are not forced to work while ill.

The data show that on the whole, the public is very concerned about the teacher shortage and COVID-19 exacerbating the problem. Illinoisans ranked their concerns associated with the growing educator shortage, and the possibility that one in four teachers, school psychologists and paraeducators could leave the profession. The top concerns are as follows:

• Students will end up performing worse.

• Standards will have to be lowered to allow people into the profession.

• Classrooms will get more crowded.

• Taxes will go up because school districts will have to pay everyone more to keep them.

For more information on this poll and past polls, please go IEAstateofeducation.org.