Illinois State Board of Education

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education released new data today from the College Board that shows Illinois’ Class of 2024 set new records in Advanced Placement (AP) participation and performance. The report highlights the results of Illinois’ commitment to college readiness and equity pertaining to access to advanced coursework.

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced 13 Teacher of the Year finalists and honored more than 500 educators, administrators, and other school staff through its annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards. The awards celebrate the dedication, innovation, and impact of talented professionals in schools across Illinois. See the full list of awardees.

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is calling on organizations statewide to join the effort to ensure children have access to nutritious meals over the summer. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), served more than 4.3 million meals and snacks in 2024 — a 12 percent increase from the previous year.

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today published the 2024 Illinois Report Card, which showed Illinois students in grades 3-8 charting the highest-ever proficiency rate in English language arts, thanks to the statewide focus on improving literacy. Illinois high schools also set a new record for the highest-ever four-year graduation rate, driven by steady gains for Black students.

SPRINGFIELD— The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced $7.4 million in state funding for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Education Career Pathway Grants awarded to 18 entities serving 39 school districts. The three-year grant addresses the ongoing teacher shortage by equipping high school students with the skills and experience they need to succeed in college-level teacher preparation programs and pursue careers in education.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced the launch of a $6 million comprehensive statewide teacher recruitment campaign in English and Spanish aimed at addressing critical shortages in the teaching profession across the state, especially in bilingual education, special education, and in rural and urban community areas. The campaign, titled “The Answer is Teaching,” is inspired by the heartfelt stories and experiences of dedicated teachers across the state. ISBE has received more than 1,750 inquiries from prospective future teachers since the campaign launched on July 1.