Illinois State Board of Education

Congratulations to Lyons Township High School on being named a 2025 Illinois Governor’s #BlueRibbonSchools awardee! This recognition highlights schools that exemplify academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps. Thank you for inspiring every child to reach their full potential.

ISBE invites administrators, educators, and other stakeholders to preview and give us your feedback on Illinois’ proposed accountability redesign. Our current system has been mislabeling schools the way our assessments were mislabeling students. The proposed redesign aims to make accountability more objective, more informative, and more useful for driving improvement. The redesign addresses three key issues: 🔹Mislabeling schools: When 70% of schools are labeled “commendable,” it prevents us from directing resources to where they are needed most. 🔹Grading on a curve: Our current accountability system for schools is normed, not criterion-based – meaning the goal posts move every year. 🔹Sorting, not supporting: The system sorts schools into categories but doesn’t guide them toward the strategies or supports that might be the most helpful in addressing the problem. Join us at one of listening tour stops to give your feedback: https://okt.to/MtVFhI

Kudos to Bourbonnais Elementary School District #53's Liberty Intermediate for being named a 2025 Illinois Governor's #BlueRibbonSchools awardee! The designation honors Illinois schools for demonstrating exemplary academic performance. Thank you for fostering an environment where every child can reach their full potential.

Congratulations to Naperville Community Unit School District 203's Kennedy Junior High on being named a 2025 Illinois Governor’s #BlueRibbonSchools awardee! This recognition highlights schools that exemplify academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps. Thank you for inspiring every child to reach their full potential.

Shout out to Highlands Elementary for being named a 2025 Illinois Governor's #BlueRibbonSchools awardee! The designation honors Illinois schools for their dedication to excellence in education. Keep up the great work!

Join us for the kickoff of ISBE's Illinois Comprehensive Numeracy Plan tour this Thursday, Oct. 16 in Springfield. Sign up now to provide your feedback on the initial draft. https://okt.to/ZzC2p4

Individuals on local school boards deserve special recognition for their service to students and the community. We hope you will join us in this effort by nominating an outstanding member of your board for the Thomas Lay Burroughs Award. The award recognizes three areas of accomplishment: 🗳️Personal leadership in improving student learning, closing achievement gaps, and supporting educational excellence. 🗳️Personal leadership in expanding educational opportunities for underserved students. 🗳️Personal leadership in resolving a crisis or major difficulty with the result of more equitable outcomes for students. Nominations are due Oct. 17. https://okt.to/f4nMOE

Kudos to Glen Oaks Elementary for being named a 2025 Illinois Governor's #BlueRibbonSchool! The designation honors Illinois schools for demonstrating exemplary academic performance. Thank you for fostering an environment where every child can reach their full potential.

Congratulations to Clarendon Hills Middle School on being named a 2025 Illinois Governor’s #BlueRibbonSchool! This recognition highlights schools that exemplify academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps. Thank you for inspiring every child to reach their full potential.

Taylorville CUSD 3 welcomed State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders last week to showcase the district’s innovative programs and initiatives that enhance student learning.