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MAY 13, 2025
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School districts from across Illinois gathered at the State Capitol for Illinois Digital Educators Alliance Advocacy Day to demonstrate the impact of innovative learning and urge lawmakers to continue and/or improve funding for innovation in Illinois classrooms. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders, who visited each table and spoke with every student, is pictured with staff and students from Wilder-Waite Elementary School in Dunlap Community Unit School District 323.
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ASSESSMENT PROFICIENCY BENCHMARKS UPDATE
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Dear Colleagues:
By now, you have probably heard me speak about our plan to right-size our benchmarks for proficiency on state assessments to provide us with more accurate data about student performance. I hope you have had time to participate in the listening tour we have hosted or to provide your public comment on the draft performance level descriptors (PLDs). Thanks to your input and thoughtful feedback, we are now ready to formally ask the Board tomorrow to authorize a unified academic achievement standard-setting for all general state assessments.
Our current system establishes some of the highest proficiency benchmarks in the nation, according to the 2022 State Standards Mapping Study conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Our system unfairly mislabels students as “not proficient” when other data – such as success in advanced coursework and enrollment in college – tell a very different story.
Our plan for a unified academic standard setting aims to instill coherence across assessments of English language arts, math, and science for Grades 3 through 11, while calibrating proficiency expectations to preserve academic rigor aligned to postsecondary success.
Standard setting involves three major tasks. First, we had to establish performance level definitions. So last summer, we convened a group of educators and student leaders to participate in a workshop led by the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment. We collected public comment on the resulting report, including the number and name of performance levels, which shaped the resulting final policy definitions.
Next, we developed PLDs to describe the range of student performance characteristics within each performance level. We recruited more than 200 educators to staff nine specialized PLD teams (three subject areas, each with three grade bands) composed of content experts and special education and multilingual educators representing the geographic and demographic diversity of the state. Each team met twice a month for half a year to produce a suite of more than 50 documents, on which we gathered public comment. We have posted the second draft of the PLDs for public comment through June 15.
The third step will be recommending cut scores. This task will be tackled by 19 committees (12 for elementary reading and math, two for elementary science, and five for ACT and PreACT), formed from more than 600 applicants. Each committee meeting will be staffed by a professional facilitator, along with representatives from our Assessment Department and the Illinois Technical Advisory Committee. We are accepting nominations for this panel through May 16. These committees will meet in mid-July, and final recommendations will be presented to the Board for discussion and approval in August. This schedule should allow time for you to preview the impact of the new performance levels on your Illinois Report Card data (August in the Student Information System, September in the Data Review and Verification Tool, and October in Educator Preview) well before it becomes public. We also will provide you with the communications and resources you need to communicate these changes with your teachers, families, and school communities.
Since I first began discussing these changes in my first few months as state superintendent, I committed to proceeding in a deliberate, collaborative, and transparent manner. From the listening tour stops I have attended all across the state – and the feedback we have received every step of the way – I believe our process has upheld those values.
These changes are complicated, but necessary. In the end, they will give us all a better roadmap of where students are, what landmarks they need to pass along the way, and how we can best support them on their journey to success.
All my best,
Tony
Dr. Tony Sanders
State Superintendent of Education
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NEW! FINANCE
FY 2026 School District Budget Form Now Available
The fiscal year 2026 School District/Joint Agreement Budget Form is now available on the ISBE School District/Joint Agreement Budget Form webpage.
Dates to remember:
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Make budget available for public inspection 30 days prior to adoption.
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Publish notice of public hearing at least 30 days prior to hearing date.
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Hold public hearing prior to adoption.
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Sept. 1: Deadline for joint agreements to adopt FY 2026 budget. Post budget to website (if any) immediately after adoption and submit to ISBE within 30 days of adoption.
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Sept. 30: Deadline for school districts to adopt FY 2026 budget. Post budget to website (if any) immediately after adoption and submit to ISBE within 30 days of adoption.
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Oct. 1: Final joint agreement FY 2026 budget due to ISBE.
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Oct. 31: Final school district FY 2026 budget due to ISBE.
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June 30, 2026: Final date to adopt amended FY 2026 joint agreement and school district budgets and send to ISBE.
Submit the completed budget through the IWAS-School District Financial Report System. The system will be open for submissions on June 15.
Contact finance1@isbe.net if you have any questions.
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FY 2026 Budget Development Support
ISBE regional financial consultants are available to offer technical assistance to school districts, Regional Offices of Education, and other Local Education Agencies. They provide specialized consulting services and are the primary contact on matters related to:
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Budget Development
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Tax Levy
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Financial Projection
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Cash Flow Workbook
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New Superintendent and Business Office Support
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Profile Watch List District Support
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Financial Oversight Panels
Regional financial consultants conduct financial and trend analyses of school districts and other administrative entities, particularly financially distressed districts, to track their fiscal solvency. They also assist in the ongoing development, implementation, and assessment of training that is targeted toward improving financial management practices in school districts. Visit the ISBE Regional Financial Consultants webpage to see the full list of available services and tools they provide.
If you need support with developing your FY 2026 budget, please reach out to one of the following ISBE regional financial consultants.
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FY 2026 EBF Spending Plan Resources
ISBE has released new resources to support organizational units completing the FY 2026 Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) Spending Plan, including the EBF Spending Plan Dashboard. The new dashboard makes prior-year EBF Spending Plan responses readily available and allows users to view individual spending plans for all organizational units in Illinois, as required by ILCS 18-8.15(h)(9). Spending plans are completed on an annual basis within the district budget form (for school districts) or via a stand-alone template (for laboratory schools, Regional Offices of Education, and Intermediate Service Centers). District leaders can review prior-year responses while completing the FY 2026 EBF Spending Plan.
The dashboard also summarizes statewide EBF Spending Plan data, building on analyses contained within ISBE’s FY 2024 EBF Spending Plan Report. Both the dashboard and the report provide increased transparency and context for the strategic investments districts make with state funds. Learn more about this new resource in the EBF Spending Plan Dashboard Guide.
In addition to the dashboard, ISBE also has published a guidance document and webinar (recording and PDF) for the FY 2026 EBF Spending Plan. The instructions and requirements for completing the plan have not changed since FY 2025. Any questions regarding the EBF Spending Plan should be directed to ebfspendingplan@isbe.net.
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FY 2025 Site-Based Financial Reporting Resources
The FY 2025 Site-Based Financial Reporting application in IWAS will open on July 1. The application supports submission of two school-level financial reports: the Site-Based Expenditure Report (SBER) and the School-Level Finance Survey (SLFS). SBER data must be submitted by Aug. 15; edits to submissions are accepted through Aug. 29. SLFS data may be submitted through Nov. 3. ISBE can complete SLFS on behalf of most districts that use the Online Tool in IWAS to calculate SBER. All other districts must calculate and upload SLFS separately. Although the SLFS submission window extends into the fall, districts are encouraged to submit SLFS data at the same time they submit SBER.
Updated Site-Based Financial Reporting guidance is published on ISBE’s site-based webpage. The guidance includes new information about required exclusions and omissions. District leaders are invited to register for the FY 2025 Site-Based Financial Reporting Guidance Highlights webinar, which will take place at 10 a.m. on June 5. This webinar will provide key information, including dates, approaches to submissions, IWAS enhancements, and highlights from the 2025 guidance, about the FY 2025 reporting window.
On-demand office hours sign-ups will resume beginning June 1. Districts leaders may book appointments to discuss reporting questions or receive technical assistance during the reporting window. A sign-up link, along with additional resources, is available on ISBE’s site-based webpage. Questions not addressed by the guidance can be directed to site-based@isbe.net.
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OEPP/PCTC Verification Process and School District Financial Profile Score Review
All district superintendents should have received an email asking them to verify the Operating Expense Per Pupil (OEPP)/Per Capita Tuition Charge (PCTC) and review their preliminary Financial Profile Score Report in IWAS. The email and ISBE’s Weekly Message will be the only notices sent to districts. If you have given another person authority to review these reports, please forward the email to them.
The deadline to verify the FY 2024 OEPP/PCTC report and review the Financial Profile Score Report is June 15. Once the deadline passes, changes to FY 2024 Annual Financial Report data are not permitted.
Additional information also is available in IWAS and on the School District Financial Profile Information and OEPP/PCTC Verification Information webpage. Please contact School Business Services at Finance1@isbe.net if you have any questions.
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NEW! ILLINOIS STUDENT ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
ISAC Summer Support Services for You and Your Students
With the end of the school year close at hand, remember that Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) support services for students and families continue to be available through the summer to help them complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA©) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) for the 2025-26 cycle:
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ISACorps™ near peer mentors are available to assist students and families with their financial aid applications. Students can book a virtual one-on-one meeting with an ISACorps staff member using the ISAC Booking page. They can book a virtual meeting up to seven days in advance, and there's an option to meet with a Spanish-speaking ISACorps member if they prefer. Please share this link with your students and colleagues in your network and community. In addition, ISACorps™ members are available to provide financial aid presentations and application completion workshops. You can schedule a presentation or workshop by completing an Outreach Request Form.
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The ISAC College Q&A text messaging service, available in English and Spanish, lets students get their questions about college planning and financial aid answered via text message, and receive important information about college planning events and deadlines. To use the service students simply text their first and last name to:
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English: 847-243-6470
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Español: 773-823-0570
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ISAC's Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative provides online information by high school of how many students at a school have completed a FAFSA, Alternative Application, or the Financial Aid Application Nonparticipation form. High school staff can access student-level data through ISAC's GAP Access portal to focus supports for students who have not completed an application. If any of your students have not submitted a FAFSA or Alternative Application, high school principals may provide an administrative waiver on their behalf by clicking on the "Good Faith Effort" box within GAP Access. Once completed, the Opt Out Waiver checkbox will be populated within your senior class roster.
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NEW! SAFE & HEALTHY CLIMATE
RTO Reduction Plans and Progress Reports
The requirement set forth in 105 ILCS 5/2-3.130(e) for school districts, special education cooperatives, and nonpublic special education programs to annually submit a physical restraint, time out, and isolated time out (RTO) reduction plan and progress report to ISBE sunsets at the end of this school year. Entities will not be required to submit a plan or progress report for school year 2025-26 or in any subsequent year. Please refer to the communication sent to the chief administrator of your entity as identified in ISBE’s Entity Profile System for more information. If you did not receive the email or if you require further technical assistance, please contact the ISBE Wellness and Student Care Department at restrainttimeout@isbe.net or 217-782-5270.
Mandated Reporters No Longer Required to Complete the CANTS 4 or CANTS 5
Per a change in Illinois law, effective Jan. 1, 2025, mandated reporters, including all school personnel, are no longer required to complete the CANTS 4 (Written Confirmation of Suspected Child Abuse Neglect Report – Medical Professionals) and the CANTS 5 (Written Confirmation of Suspected Child Abuse Neglect Report – Mandated Reporters). Consequently, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is no longer accepting or processing these forms.
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Safe2HelpIL
In the absence of a trusted adult, Safe2HelpIL offers students a safe, confidential way in which to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence, or other threats to school safety. The Safe2HelpIL toolkit provides resources to help parents and educators reinforce the components of this program. This is a statewide resource working to positively change school culture in Illinois.
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NEW! STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
2025-26 ISBE Student Advisory Council Applications Now Open
ISBE is accepting applications from eligible public and charter high school students for the 2025-26 Student Advisory Council (SAC)! Students entering the fall semester as a sophomore, junior, or senior are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is June 30.
The SAC, which was established in 1975, represents a diverse group of young leaders from across the state who have demonstrated the ability to advocate for educational equity on behalf of all Illinois public school students. SAC members are passionate about creating impactful change through educational legislation, policies, and rules. Each year the SAC identifies areas of focus and collaborates with legislators, educational leaders, and ISBE staff to provide the State Board of Education with recommendations on how to rethink and enhance current education initiatives.
Visit the ISBE Student Voices webpage for more details on the SAC. Contact ISBESAC@isbe.net if you have questions.
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COMMUNICATIONS
Send Us Your Favorite Photos From the 2024-25 School Year
ISBE regularly uses photos from Illinois schools in our publications, including ISBE’s Weekly Message, our annual report to the General Assembly, and more.
Want to see your school featured? Send us your favorite photos from the 2024-25 school year!
It’s easy as 1, 2, 3.
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Find or snap a photo.
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Ensure the students have a signed media release form on file.
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Upload the picture(s) to our photo library and tell us a little about the photo in the description (e.g., names of educators and students). We will ensure proper credit for your school’s photos, so please refrain from adding watermarks.
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EDUCATOR RECOGNITION
ISBE Names Víctor Gómez as the 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders recently named Víctor Gómez, a Chicago-area bilingual chemistry teacher, the 2025 Illinois Teacher of the Year during a surprise visit to East Leyden High School.
Gómez, a 2025 Cook County Co-Regional Teacher of the Year, is a sixth-year bilingual educator in Leyden High School District 212 and a leader in advancing bilingual education. He co-developed East Leyden's bilingual program and helped launch the school's first Bilingual Chemistry course. Gómez is a dedicated advocate for English learners who ensures multilingual students receive high-quality instruction and access to opportunities to prepare for careers in STEM — such as earning college credit through Elmhurst University's STEM Academy.
Read the press release to learn more about Gómez and to view photos from the event. Congratulations, Víctor!
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Nominate an Outstanding Colleague for ISBE Educator Talent Pool
Join ISBE in celebrating the accomplishments of stellar educators from across the state – including teachers, administrators, student support personnel, and educational service personnel – by nominating your colleagues and community members for the Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards.
Anyone may submit nominations, and there is no limit to the number of nominations that can be submitted by a person, school, or district. It takes only a few minutes to submit a nomination that could lead to your staff and schools being recognized with the highest educational honor in the state. Nominations should be submitted by Oct. 1 to be considered in the 2026 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Award cycle.
In addition to our own annual awards, ISBE also seeks talented educators for our general talent pool -- they could be asked to join a committee or even selected for national recognition opportunities. Nominations for the general educator talent pool can be submitted year-round!
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IN BRIEF
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Educator Recognition
Nominate a School Social Worker and Citizen of the Year Today!
The Illinois Association of School Social Workers honors an exceptional School Social Worker and Citizen of the Year at its annual conference in October. Take a moment to recognize someone deserving by submitting a nomination today! Nominations are due by June 15. See more details on the School Social Worker and Citizen of the Year nomination criteria.
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Student Recognition
ALPLM and ISBE Announce Winners of Annual Art Contest
Congratulations to the 12 Illinois students who were named winners of the annual art contest sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois State Board of Education!
The top entries in the four age groups were:
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Grades K-2
George Bandik
Age 6, Westchester Primary School, Westchester School District 92½
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Grades 3-5
Uthman Serir
Age 10, Charter Oak Primary School, Peoria School District 150
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Grades 6-8
Alaina Karban
Age 13, Blessed Sacrament School, Belleville
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Grades 9-12
Steven Jiang
Age 15, Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, Chicago Public Schools District 299
Their artwork, along eight runners-up, is currently on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
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U.S. Presidential Scholars Semifinalists Announced
Congratulations to the Illinois students whom the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has selected as semifinalists for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program! A complete listing of semifinalists can be found on the ED U.S. Presidential Scholars Program webpage. ED has notified all participants of their status as a semifinalist or non-semifinalist in the program and will announce the finalists later in the spring. If you have questions or require technical assistance, contact PSP@scholarshipamerica.org or 507-931-8345.
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School Recognition
Join Illinois Green Alliance to Celebrate School Sustainability
Join Illinois Green Alliance at its May 22 virtual awards ceremony, Illinois Green Schools Celebration 2025, to celebrate the schools throughout Illinois that have worked to prioritize sustainability across their school cultures, educational programming, and physical space. Guests will share highlights and hear presentations from the Illinois Green Schools participants that have been hard at work identifying, planning, and implementing sustainability projects that span issues such as cafeteria food waste, student climate education, energy reduction efforts, and more. Check out some of last year's projects!
After that, attendees will hear from three schools and districts that have made significant advancements towards sustainability in the state of Illinois during the 2024-25 school year.
Register for Illinois Green Schools Celebration 2025.
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Featured ISBE Career Opportunities
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The Illinois State Board of Education is the State Education Agency for Illinois. Our mission is to provide each and every child with safe and healthy learning conditions, great educators, and equitable opportunities by practicing data-informed stewardship of resources and policy development, all done in partnership with educators, families, and stakeholders.
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