ISBE Update for August 2025
-
Date PostedAugust 22, 2025
-
CategoryNews
EBF Funding Allocations
The allocations for FY 2026 Evidence Based-Funding (EBF) are now available. Each district will receive at minimum the same amount of funds as last year. $301.8 million of EBF Tier funding will be sent to schools based on district need, with 99% of the new funds directed to the state’s highest-need districts. An additional $5.2 million will be directed to new alternative schools to serve students with specialized needs.
In the nine years since the inception of EBF, $8.9 billion has been sent to schools through the formula. The number of districts that are considered fully funded (90% adequacy or above) has grown from 194 to 313 since the start of EBF. Districts can view their EBF allocations and full calculation on the ISBE website.
Illinois State Assessment Performance Levels
The Illinois State Board of Education approved new assessment performance levels and proficiency benchmarks on August 13. The new designations were the culmination of a process that started in 2024 and included a statewide listening tour, opportunities for public comment, and numerous stakeholder engagement events.
The idea of the new proficiency benchmarks is to align the performance levels of the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, Illinois Science Assessment, and PreACT and ACT. The assessments will now all have the same performance levels: above proficient, proficient, approaching proficient, and below proficient. The newly established levels mean “the minimum score a student needs to be considered proficient on our state assessments is now based on the score a student needs to get into college, pass college coursework, and be ready for in-demand careers.”
ISBE has established the Better Systems for Better Outcomes webpage that includes charts of cut scores, a communications toolkit, definitions and descriptions of various performance levels, and a FAQ for parents.
Budget Hearings for FY 2027 Requests
School leaders can submit budget requests and input on state funding for fiscal year 2027 using ISBE’s Budget Hearing Form. The forms need to be completed by October 31. In addition to the budget requests, ISBE will host a public budget hearing on September 30 from 4-7 p.m. in Springfield. To attend the hearing, the budget request form must be submitted and the date for the in-person Springfield forum needs to be selected. ISBE will also host virtual hearings on October 16 from 1-4 p.m. and on October 21 from 4-7 p.m. In order to attend the virtual meetings a separate registration form must be completed.
The budget submissions will be used to help inform ISBE’s budget recommendation to the governor and Illinois General Assembly for FY 2027. Additional information can be found on the ISBE Budget webpage.
Upcoming Webinar
ISBE will host a 2025 Report Card Open Forum on Thursday, August 28 from 10-11:30 a.m. The webinar will cover notable dates and tools to assist with managing district Report Card data and include an opportunity for participants to ask questions about the 2025 Illinois Report Card. Registration is available on the ISBE website.
The allocations for FY 2026 Evidence Based-Funding (EBF) are now available. Each district will receive at minimum the same amount of funds as last year. $301.8 million of EBF Tier funding will be sent to schools based on district need, with 99% of the new funds directed to the state’s highest-need districts. An additional $5.2 million will be directed to new alternative schools to serve students with specialized needs.
In the nine years since the inception of EBF, $8.9 billion has been sent to schools through the formula. The number of districts that are considered fully funded (90% adequacy or above) has grown from 194 to 313 since the start of EBF. Districts can view their EBF allocations and full calculation on the ISBE website.
Illinois State Assessment Performance Levels
The Illinois State Board of Education approved new assessment performance levels and proficiency benchmarks on August 13. The new designations were the culmination of a process that started in 2024 and included a statewide listening tour, opportunities for public comment, and numerous stakeholder engagement events.
The idea of the new proficiency benchmarks is to align the performance levels of the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, Illinois Science Assessment, and PreACT and ACT. The assessments will now all have the same performance levels: above proficient, proficient, approaching proficient, and below proficient. The newly established levels mean “the minimum score a student needs to be considered proficient on our state assessments is now based on the score a student needs to get into college, pass college coursework, and be ready for in-demand careers.”
ISBE has established the Better Systems for Better Outcomes webpage that includes charts of cut scores, a communications toolkit, definitions and descriptions of various performance levels, and a FAQ for parents.
Budget Hearings for FY 2027 Requests
School leaders can submit budget requests and input on state funding for fiscal year 2027 using ISBE’s Budget Hearing Form. The forms need to be completed by October 31. In addition to the budget requests, ISBE will host a public budget hearing on September 30 from 4-7 p.m. in Springfield. To attend the hearing, the budget request form must be submitted and the date for the in-person Springfield forum needs to be selected. ISBE will also host virtual hearings on October 16 from 1-4 p.m. and on October 21 from 4-7 p.m. In order to attend the virtual meetings a separate registration form must be completed.
The budget submissions will be used to help inform ISBE’s budget recommendation to the governor and Illinois General Assembly for FY 2027. Additional information can be found on the ISBE Budget webpage.
Upcoming Webinar
ISBE will host a 2025 Report Card Open Forum on Thursday, August 28 from 10-11:30 a.m. The webinar will cover notable dates and tools to assist with managing district Report Card data and include an opportunity for participants to ask questions about the 2025 Illinois Report Card. Registration is available on the ISBE website.
