Chicago City Wire

Brian Kasal, President of Northside Republicans, said that lowering academic standards in Illinois is a misguided attempt to conceal systemic failures. He emphasized that real progress requires parental involvement and accountability. Kasal made his statement to Chicago City Wire.

"The Illinois education system is becoming an embarrassment, especially as leaders consider lowering standards rather than addressing core issues," said Kasal. "Reducing proficiency benchmarks sends the wrong message and masks deeper problems instead of solving them. What students need is higher-quality education, better support in classrooms, and real investment at home from parental figures. Accountability must be prioritized, not a lowered bar that falsely signals improvement."

According to Chalkbeat, Illinois education officials are considering reducing the score required for students to be deemed proficient on state standardized tests. The officials argue that current benchmarks are excessively high and do not accurately reflect students' readiness for college or careers. State Superintendent Tony Sanders said many students are unfairly labeled as 'not proficient.' The Illinois State Board of Education began developing new potential testing systems on May 14, which would include setting lower score benchmarks. If approved in August, the new scores would affect spring 2025 test results.

The Illinois Policy Institute reported in August that Illinois faces persistent academic challenges. In 2023, only 35% of elementary students read at grade level, and 27% met math standards. Proficiency rates remain below pre-pandemic levels, with 81 public schools reporting no third-grade students reading at grade level—51 in Chicago alone. Despite record education funding of $10.9 billion for 2024-2025, proficiency and enrollment continue to decline. Topics for school leadership to address include low academic performance, absenteeism, and other critical issues to ensure students graduate equipped for future success, emphasizing the importance of foundational skills like reading by third grade.

Kasal, a resident of Chicago's 43rd Ward, was first appointed as President of Chicago's Northside Republican Club in 2021. According to the organization’s website, he is "focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing the Party’s membership, and communicating the Party’s positions on issues that matter to Chicago Northside voters."