Fees, New Challenges Greet Students Going Back To School

(Bloomington, IL) -- It is back to school for most students in Illinois this week, and parents and students are being greeted by new costs and challenges. This is the first year where all Illinois students will be tested on the new Common Core learning standards. McLean County Regional Superintendent of School Mark Jontry says almost all of his schools are ready, but says statewide only about half of Illinois' schools will be able to take the test as planned this spring. Jontry also says he's gotten calls from parents upset about new fees to register students. Jontry says the average fee is about $300-dollars, but says parents need to be angry with state lawmakers who continue to send just 89-cents on the dollar to local schools.