Report: 23.1% of Coal City High School graduates in Illinois community colleges had to take remedial classes in 2023-24 school year

In the 2023-24 school year, two years after 92.2% of Coal City High School seniors graduated on time, 23.1% of those who attended Illinois community colleges had to take remedial courses, as they weren't prepared for college-level classes, according to data from the Illinois State Board of Education.

More specifically, 19.2% of the former high school students took remedial classes in math and 7.7% in communication courses.

The same data shows that 63.8% of the students enrolled in two-or four-year college programs within 12 months of graduating high school, which is below the state rate.

Coal City High School is one of four high schools located within Grundy County.

Statewide, 27.7% of community college students across the state had to take remedial classes.

Illinois has approved a new budget for 2025 that increases funds for K-12 education to $8.6 billion, $350 million above last year’s budget.

Lawmakers also approved a new bill that creates a statewide child tax credit, which allows families to receive $300 per child under 17 years. This comes after a similar aid was granted from the federal government, as part of the American Rescue Plan.