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.
Why is Teacher Diversity Important and How is It Being Addressed in Metro-East Schools?
Decades of research show that students being taught by a diverse teacher workforce improves educational outcomes, especially for students of color.
District 186 Report Card Was a "Gut Punch"
The educational symptoms of the COVID disruptions are still noticeable in Springfield School District 186, where the district generally did not perform as well as the state average in several categories on the ISBE Report Card. But District 186 officials note that progress is being made in key areas, and that upward trajectory is a better measure of what is occurring in Springfield's schools.
Gov. Pritzker Announces Education Advisory Committee Members
Gov. JB Pritzker announced the 18 members of the new Early Childhood Education and Care Transition Advisory Committee on Tuesday.
Educator Workforce Shortages Worse in Special Ed and Bilingual Classes, Illinois Watchdog Report Shows
Labor shortages are not unique to the educator workforce, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, but teacher Bob Chikos said the shortages aren’t as black-and-white as some people may think.
What are schools in Illinois and the metro-east doing to fill the teacher pipeline?
Advance Illinois, a bipartisan education policy and advocacy organization, produced the report and hosted the event in partnership with Collinsville District 10, the Illinois Education Association and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to foster conversation at the local level.

