SPRINGFIELD – The skills gap is a frequent topic of discussion as Americans recognize the urgent need for the next generation to favor hands-on careers that require skills development and advanced manufacturing training. Demand is high, but the prospects among American 18-29-year-olds are not keeping pace.
In fact, the next generation has been heavily influenced by their predecessors to seek meaningful employment elsewhere. Now, becoming increasingly outdated and irrational, is the idea that college should be pursued first and foremost. However, that view is reflected in secondary education course requirements.
High School Course Requirements reviewed
Currently, to receive a high school graduation certificate in Illinois, students must complete the following courses:
• Four years of language arts.
• Two years of “writing-intensive” courses. One must be in English.
• Three years of math. This should include Algebra I.
• Two years of science.
• Two years of social sciences. This must include at least one year of U.S. history.
• One year of one of the following: Music, Art, Foreign Language, including American Sign Language, Vocational Education, or Forensic Speech (Speech and Debate).
The Illinois General Assembly recently passed, and Governor Pritzker signed into law, a measure requiring that ninth-graders entering Illinois high schools in 2028 take two years of a foreign language.
Thus, in 2028, Illinois’ high school required course list will include:
• Two years of World Language
While requiring high school students to be able to communicate with those who don’t speak English is admirable, should every high school student be required to spend precious courses on learning a language when he or she could be spending that time learning a skill that would possibly introduce them to an interest or career in creating things? Careers that provide training, a respectable income, and a productive impact on the world?
TMA Proposes an Alternative
After hearing from several Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructors across the Chicago region who expressed concern that the new world language requirement would endanger already vulnerable high school machining and tooling classes, TMA’s Advocacy Team looked into the issue.
Indeed, at the very time college education is being questioned as a viable choice for every high schooler over pursuing a hands-on career in demand, such as plumbers, electricians, welders, machinists, and mold makers, this law heads in the wrong direction.
Thus, TMA began talking to state lawmakers about the challenges posed by two years of world language for high schoolers more interested in vocational courses – or music, art, and other career options.
TMA saw the need to join forces with superintendents, principals, high school instructors, students themselves, and small- and midsize manufacturers to build a coalition that promotes trades and works to fill the everbroadening skills gap nationwide.
State Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago) introduced Senate Bill 3070 in late January to allow high school students to use Career Technical Education (CTE) courses to fulfill the World Language requirement. SB 3070’s co-sponsor, Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Crest Hill), serves as the Senate Education Committee chair.
TMA joins forces with education leaders
The bill will not be easy to pass through the Illinois House and reach the governor’s desk, as there is opposition to the coursework options.
TMA will be actively promoting the legislation and hoping to add on other forces to the cause. There’s likely to be a call for TMA members to participate in the effort by testifying before the committee, signing on as supporters via remote witness slips, and maybe even calling state lawmakers to vote “Aye” when it comes before them.
Please stay informed on TMA Advocacy’s crucial project, which could make or break the next generation of small and midsize Illinois manufacturers. Updates will be on TMA social media, in TMA’s weekly E-News Bulletin.
From TMA’s 1st Quarter 2027 News Bulletin By Fran Eaton, TMA News Bulletin editor