05/19/2026
Current Representative Wants To LOWER Standards Instead Of FIXING Education.
Dear Representative Rick Ryan, this may be one of the worst education ideas Illinois has seen in decades. At a time when our students are already struggling with declining test scores, lower reading and math proficiency, and increasing competition in a global workforce, the answer should NEVER be lowering standards even further.
Instead of finding solutions, Springfield politicians are now talking about removing opportunities from our children because adults cannot do their jobs and recruit qualified teachers. Think about that for a second — the response is essentially: “Schools can’t find enough teachers, so students should just lose the opportunity altogether.” That is completely backwards.
Learning a second language is not just about academics. It increases workforce marketability, opens doors to better careers, creates higher earning potential, and gives students more opportunities to support their future families. In today’s economy, bilingual employees are often paid more and are in higher demand across business, healthcare, law enforcement, trade, technology, and customer service industries.
And what message are we sending to students? That because adults failed to solve a staffing problem, THEY should suffer the consequences? That is one of the most dismissive and irresponsible approaches to education I have heard in years.
As a father, school board member, and candidate for State Representative, I believe we should be RAISING educational expectations — not lowering them every time Illinois leadership faces a challenge. We should be investing in recruitment, retention, and innovative solutions to bring qualified teachers into our schools, not stripping opportunities away from students. Our children are already competing against students from around the world. Weakening education standards only pushes them further behind.
Illinois students deserve better than excuses. They deserve leadership willing to solve problems instead of surrendering to them.
-David Sheppard = Candidate for State Rep Dist 36
shep4staterep.com
