Illinois Continues First-In-The-Nation Free Test Prep Program
MWN-AI** Summary
The state of Illinois is extending its groundbreaking free test preparation program, the "Prepare for Illinois’ Future Program," through the fiscal year 2027, as proposed by Governor JB Pritzker in his FY27 budget amidst ongoing efforts to enhance educational affordability. This initiative, launched in late 2022, has provided free test prep courses through a partnership between the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and global education leader Kaplan. So far, the state has allocated $9.9 million, allowing over 12,000 students to register for these courses, collectively saving them upwards of $30 million.
Governor Pritzker emphasized his commitment to making Illinois a leader in affordable education. The program has proven successful in addressing equity and workforce development issues, especially among underrepresented communities; more than 60% of participants are students of color, and low-income students now access preparation courses at a significantly higher rate. Notably, nursing students who utilized Kaplan's NCLEX-RN preparation achieved a remarkable predicted pass rate of 97%, while the program is also aiming to improve medical school admissions for Black and Hispanic students through targeted MCAT prep.
Focused on enhancing career pathways, the initiative caters to students across Illinois' 12 public universities and select community colleges, offering comprehensive training for a range of professional licensing and admission examinations. As Illinois continues to combat workforce shortages in vital sectors, the program is not only a financial boon for students but also a strategic investment in the state’s future workforce. The projected $7 million earmarked for FY27 demonstrates ongoing commitment from the state to elevate educational access and dismantle financial barriers for its students, fostering growth and opportunity.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The ongoing "Prepare for Illinois' Future" program, funded by Governor Pritzker's fiscal year 2027 budget, sets a progressive benchmark for educational access and workforce development. As a financial analyst, it’s essential to recognize the long-term implications of this initiative on the state’s economic landscape and the job market.
Governor Pritzker's proposed allocation of $7 million to sustain this program reflects a commitment to improve educational equity in Illinois. Investing resources into free test preparation has proven to be a strategic maneuver, with over 12,000 students already benefiting, leading to significant savings — estimated at over $30 million. This program not only alleviates the financial burden on students but also aligns with broader workforce needs. A well-prepared workforce is critical for maintaining economic growth, especially in high-demand sectors such as engineering, IT, and healthcare.
The data showing that over 60% of participants identify as students of color, alongside a fivefold increase in low-income student participation, underscores the program's potential to foster inclusion in higher education. For investors and policymakers, this initiative can signal an upward trend in the state's educational landscape, facilitating increased earnings potential—an outcome that can ultimately expand the state tax base.
Moreover, the projected 97% pass rate for nursing exam candidates indicates a positive trend for addressing workforce shortages in critical fields. Similarly, enhanced medical school admissions rates for underrepresented minorities may contribute to a more diverse medical workforce, potentially attracting businesses and healthcare providers to the state.
In conclusion, supporting programs like "Prepare for Illinois’ Future" is not just an investment in education but a comprehensive strategy to bolster the state's economic resilience. Stakeholders should monitor the progress of this program as it could serve as a model for future initiatives aimed at workforce development and economic sustainability.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Building on Governor Pritzker’s Affordability Agenda, the FY27 Proposed Budget will fund free test preparation courses through June 2027
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and global education company Kaplan today announced that Illinois’ first-in-the-nation free test preparation program – the Prepare for Illinois’ Future Program – will continue through the end of the academic school year. Additionally, Governor JB Pritzker has proposed to fund the program through the FY27 budget for another year as part of his Affordability Agenda and commitment to strengthening access to postsecondary opportunities.
Thirteen months after the launch of this program, in which the State has so far invested $9.9 million , more than 12,000 students registered for Kaplan’s free test prep courses, collectively saving students over $30 million. The Governor is recommending a $7 million appropriation for the program in FY27.
"As Governor, I am committed to making Illinois the best state in the nation to obtain an affordable education and pursue postsecondary opportunities,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Thanks to our continued investments in career advancement tools like our first-in-the-nation free test prep program, we are making life more affordable for thousands of students by helping them prepare for their careers now and earn more in the future.”
The program has demonstrated strong outcomes for equity and workforce needs across the state:
- Accelerating graduates' transition into high-demand professions such as Engineering, Project Management, IT, and helping ensure a highly credentialed and licensed Illinois workforce.
- More than 60% of participants identify as students of color, and low-income students are accessing preparation courses at five times their pre-program rate.
- Nursing students who completed Kaplan NCLEX-RN preparation achieved a 97% predicted pass rate, far exceeding both Illinois and national averages, helping address the state’s critical nursing shortage.
- Students completing MCAT preparation courses are on track to significantly increase medical school admissions rates for Black and Hispanic students, addressing long-standing gaps in Illinois’ physician pipeline.
The program offers Kaplan’s test and license preparation and workforce credentialing courses to all students enrolled in Illinois’ 12 public universities, and the program has been piloted at five community colleges chosen to reflect the geographic and demographic diversity of the state. Students at these institutions have received free access to Kaplan’s best-in-class preparation for professional licensing exams, graduate-level admissions exams, and credential exams, including comprehensive prep for the GRE®, GMAT®, LSAT®, MCAT®, NCLEX-RN®, USMLE®, Illinois State bar exam, real estate and securities exams, and more. The program is designed to increase earnings potential, expand the state’s tax base, and help employers fill critical workforce shortages.
“Even during a challenging budget year, Governor Pritzker’s recommendation to fund this program for FY27 reflects his ongoing commitment to improving educational access for Illinois students,” said ISAC Executive Director Eric Zarnikow . “Prepare for Illinois’ Future has not only offered a tremendous opportunity for our school partners and their students but has also proved to be a good investment for the state. The value of the courses offered thus far is about three times the initial appropriation, and the long-term benefit of investing in our students’ futures, improving access, and breaking down financial barriers, is incalculable.”
“The Prepare for Illinois’ Future program is a game-changing workforce development solution, unlocking opportunity and making higher education more affordable and accessible for hundreds of thousands of Illinois students. It’s already reshaping the landscape by opening new career pathways, ensuring that Illinois students aren't just graduating, but are immediately qualified to enter high-demand careers and secure their futures,” said Gregory Marino, CEO, Kaplan North America . “The enthusiasm from students and communities all across the state we’ve seen over the past year since the program launched has been inspiring, and we look forward to continuing our work with the state’s colleges and universities and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to help even more aspiring doctors, nurses, teachers, cybersecurity experts, engineers, and other essential professionals realize their full potential."
Students enrolled in all Illinois public universities and at Joliet Junior College, Carl Sandburg College, Southwestern Illinois College, Malcolm X College, and Morton College can register for the Prepare for Illinois’ Future program to take advantage of free test preparation by visiting Go.Kaplan.com/Illinois .
Test names and other trademarks are the property of the respective trademark holders.
About ISAC
The mission of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is to provide Illinois students with information and assistance to help make education beyond high school accessible and affordable. ISAC provides comprehensive, objective, and timely information about higher education and financial aid for students and their families—giving them access to the tools they need to make the educational choices that are right for them. Then, through the state scholarship and grant programs ISAC administers, ISAC can help students make those choices a reality. Find us at isac.org and follow us on Facebook , X , Instagram , and on YouTube .
About Kaplan
Kaplan, Inc. is a global education company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals in an ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions helps students and professionals further their education and careers, universities and educational institutions attract and support students, and businesses maximize employee recruitment, retention, and development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, our thousands of employees working in 27 countries/regions continue Stanley’s mission as they serve about 1.2 million students and professionals, 15,000 corporate clients, and 3,300 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). Learn more at Kaplan.com .
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260306841328/en/
ISAC: Vera Mandilovitch
847.831.8620
vera.mandilovitch@illinois.gov
Kaplan: Russell Schaffer
Russell.Schaffer@Kaplan.com
FAQ**
How might the funding allocated from the FY27 Proposed Budget impact the overall investment returns for Graham Holdings Company GHC, particularly through its subsidiary Kaplan?
What metrics are used to evaluate the effectiveness of Kaplan’s free test preparation program, and how might such metrics influence future investment decisions by Graham Holdings Company GHC?
In what ways could the Prepare for Illinois’ Future program enhance the financial performance of Graham Holdings Company GHC as it aims to expand its education services portfolio?
Given the success of the program so far, how does Kaplan plan to leverage its partnership with Illinois in its broader strategy to attract more investment for Graham Holdings Company GHC?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC).
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