Illinois officials sugarcoat dismal K-12 report card

Illinois’ leadership is somehow trying to put a positive spin on K-12 learning, even though most students haven’t even recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

The Illinois State Board of Education released the state’s 2023-24 report card on Oct. 30, and tried to sugarcoat its failure by highlighting minor improvements.

“Students across Illinois are reaching new heights and educators are setting a powerful example of success,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker says in a press release. “This year’s Report Card shows our highest graduation rate in 14 years at 87.7%, led by the incredible achievements of Black students.

 “It’s equally exciting to see our youngest learners achieve the highest-ever proficiency rate in English Language Arts. These milestones demonstrate that our investments in students are delivering real results as Illinois continues to bounce back stronger from the challenges set by the pandemic.” 

While students in grades 3-8 did increase the average ELA score from 37.8% in 2019 to 41.2% in 2024, that improvement was the exception, not the rule. Indeed, the same set of students declined in math: 31.8% in 2019 to 28.4% in 2024.  

And 11^th graders did worse across the board, declining over 5 points in ELA and over 8 points in math.  

Overall, just one-in-four Illinois students are proficient in math, and fewer than half meet standards in reading.  

Achievement among minority students also remains low. While Asians averaged 67% in reading and 61% in math, Hispanic students scored just 27% and 15% respectively, and Black students 20% and 9%.  

The demographics that struggled academically also had higher-than-average rates of chronic absenteeism. With 26% of Illinois students overall missing 10% or more of school days, Hispanic students recorded a 33% chronic absenteeism rate, and Black students 40%.  

With such lagging outcomes, Illinois parents might find the term “reaching new heights” more than a little incongruous. 

Yet, the state’s celebratory language lives on.  

“Illinois has seen tremendous, nation-leading recovery in English language arts, thanks to the talented teachers, principals, and superintendents in schools across the state who have worked diligently to implement shifts in their literacy practices,” state Superintendent Tony Sanders said in the same press release. “Our educators, students, and families should feel incredibly proud of how we have come together in the wake of the pandemic not just to recover but to emerge even stronger.” 

Illinois taxpayers might disagree, and may wonder if they’re getting their money’s worth.  

According to the Education Data Initiative, Illinois K-12 schools spend $21,830 per pupil on average, most of which comes from local and state taxes. But the state’s report reveals less than half of that money – 46% – is spent on instruction.  

One-third of district spending goes to support services, while the rest is spent on general administration and other expenses.  

Illinois State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, candidly expressed his disappointment with the report.  

“We are spending over $10 billion just from the state of Illinois, plus the local contributions and the federal dollars that are following,” he said. “It’s a record number of dollars that we’re pouring into public education, so the numbers should be improving.”