ISBE Update for January 2026
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Date PostedJanuary 22, 2026
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CategoryNews
Half-Day to Full-Day Kindergarten Switch
School districts planning to change from half-day kindergarten to a full-day program have until March 1 to notify ISBE. The Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) formula calculates a district’s adequacy target based on average student enrollment and English Learner enrollment. The formula assigns a half-day kindergarten student a value of .5, while a full-day kindergarten student is assigned a 1.0 value.
Districts that plan to change to full-day instruction for kindergarten students for the 2026-2027 school year must provide ISBE with a board resolution expressing the intent to change and the associated meeting minutes. These documents should be submitted to sff@isbe.net.
FAQ on EBF for English Learners
A new FAQ from ISBE answers questions about Evidence-Based Funding for English learners (EL). The resource includes information about how funds are calculated for EL, the statutory requirements for EBF and EL, and how the funds can be used. The Evidence-Based Funds for English Learners FAQ is available on ISBE’s website.
School Phone Policies Survey
Cellphone use among students during the school day remains a hot topic in the education community. There is currently legislation under consideration by the Illinois General Assembly, and in other states, about banning cellphones in schools. ISBE is asking school leaders to participate in the Illinois School Phone Policies Survey that examines existing cellphone policies and the impacts to student learning.
School districts planning to change from half-day kindergarten to a full-day program have until March 1 to notify ISBE. The Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) formula calculates a district’s adequacy target based on average student enrollment and English Learner enrollment. The formula assigns a half-day kindergarten student a value of .5, while a full-day kindergarten student is assigned a 1.0 value.
Districts that plan to change to full-day instruction for kindergarten students for the 2026-2027 school year must provide ISBE with a board resolution expressing the intent to change and the associated meeting minutes. These documents should be submitted to sff@isbe.net.
FAQ on EBF for English Learners
A new FAQ from ISBE answers questions about Evidence-Based Funding for English learners (EL). The resource includes information about how funds are calculated for EL, the statutory requirements for EBF and EL, and how the funds can be used. The Evidence-Based Funds for English Learners FAQ is available on ISBE’s website.
School Phone Policies Survey
Cellphone use among students during the school day remains a hot topic in the education community. There is currently legislation under consideration by the Illinois General Assembly, and in other states, about banning cellphones in schools. ISBE is asking school leaders to participate in the Illinois School Phone Policies Survey that examines existing cellphone policies and the impacts to student learning.
