According to a 1995 memo from the College of Education, in 1984 Illinois State University allocated $792,730 to the Lab Schools — enough to cover 27.7% of their operating expenses.
A decade later ISU allocated $766,142 — about 15% of the operating expenses for Metcalf and U-High.
Since that time, ISU’s allocation to the Lab Schools has hovered around 15%.
That financial investment has historically been intended to support the mission of the Lab Schools as a resource for teacher education and preparation — acknowledging the hours of clinical experiences Lab School educators provide for ISU students preparing to be teachers.
In the 2023-24 Annual Report from the Director of Laboratory Schools, it was reported Lab School educators supported more than 50,000 clinical hours for ISU teacher education students. And, it was reported that 84% of the Lab School funding — $7,717,365 — came from money allocated to the Lab Schools by the State Board of Education (through the state’s Evidence Based Funding formula). The report indicates the other 16% of funding for the Lab Schools — $1,471,390 — came from an “IBHE allocation.” That’s money ISU receives from the Illinois Board of Higher Education and has historically allocated to the Lab Schools to support their work with ISU students.
The Lab Schools have not received any of that allocation from ISU’s IBHE funds yet for the 2025-26 school year. And recently the Director of Laboratory Schools communicated to faculty at the Lab Schools that ISU may not provide that allocation to the Lab Schools this year — or for some years into the future — so they can spend it elsewhere on other priorities.
The Lab Schools are an important part of the mission of Illinois State University and rely on predictable, sustainable investment from the University in order to carry out that mission.
LSEA is working to make sure the Lab Schools still count — now and for generations to come.
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