Illinois Reports Higher Public School Ratings and Graduation Rates

The Illinois State Board of Education updated its parameters for evaluating public school performance earlier this year. Under the previous accountability framework, only the top 10% of public schools could attain Exemplary status. Following the shift to a system based on core and elevating indicators rather than weighing schools directly against each other, 27% of public schools now hold the state's highest rating.

Annual data from the Illinois Report Card also points to rising proficiency rates in reading and math. Roughly 56% of students achieved proficiency in English language arts, while nearly 40% reached proficiency in math, reflecting increases from the previous year. State and Chicago education leaders additionally highlighted a four-year graduation rate of almost 89%.

Teacher metrics show expanding workforce numbers totaling nearly 144,000 across the state, alongside a retention rate exceeding 90% for the first time in over ten years. However, teacher attendance rates have remained a point of concern after dropping from pre-pandemic levels, with about 65% of teachers currently missing fewer than 10 days of school compared to 73% in 2019.