In the News
Advance Illinois serves as a resource for media outlets from across the state and beyond on policy issues in education from birth to career. Here’s our recent coverage.
Peoria Public Schools Received More Funding This Year, but Advocates Say it Isn’t Enough
As Peoria Public Schools receive more state funding, some advocates are saying Illinois isn’t properly funding its public schools.
Where Does Illinois Rank on How Well it Funds Local Schools?
Illinois has climbed from 47th to 18th in state K-12 funding after adopting an evidence-based formula — showing gains despite COVID disruptions, but equity gaps and support-staff shortages remain.
Illinois Wants to Lower the Bar for Passing State Tests, Saying the Standard is Unfair to Students
On the Illinois State Board of Education’s recent step to adopt new research-informed assessment performance levels, Robin Steans said. “You don’t want those cut scores to be artificially high so that we’re telling parents and kids they’re not ready if they really are. You don’t want them so low that parents and students think everything’s fine when it may not be.”
Chicago Schools Get State Funding Bump, but Still Need $1.6 billion to be Adequately Funded, According to Recent Data
Chicago Public Schools will receive an additional $76 million from the state this fiscal year for a total of $1.9 billion, according to new data released by the state on Friday.
Illinois Considers Lowering Scores Students Need to be Considered Proficient on State Exams
Illinois education officials are considering lowering the scores students need to get to be classified as proficient in a subject on a state standardized test. They say the current benchmarks are too high and the results often don’t accurately reflect whether high school students are college and career ready.

