Transcripts from AFP-Illinois' radio commentary by Illinois business leader Ron Gidwitz:

Over the past decade, education funding has increased in Illinois by more than $3 billion. Unfortunately, throwing money at education hasn’t helped our low test scores or high drop-out rates. Forty-four of every 100 high school students in Chicago never graduate, and downstate schools are forced to do more with less. Clearly, our education policies aren’t working.

It’s time for us to commit to a full-scale overhaul of our entire education system…throwing out the sacred cows that don’t work, and embracing those ideas that produce results. Then…and only then…will citizens trust that an increased investment in education will be worthwhile.

I’m Ron Gidwitz, and that’s my view. If you agree with me, join Americans for Prosperity online at afpil.org.

Click here to listen to the commentary.

For more information:

• AFP IL Education forum

• Daily Herald 10 part series on Education

• Students First

• School Choice Illinois

• A fiscal impact study, showing that school choice will save Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars