Comprehensive Numeracy Plan Approved
The Illinois State Board of Education has adopted a Comprehensive Numeracy Plan. Similar to the Illinois 2024 Comprehensive Literacy Plan, the framework provides research-based guidance to help build students' confidence, reasoning, and problem-solving skills in mathematics. The tools and guidance provided through the Numeracy Plan emphasize high-quality math instruction that relies on data and evidence-based teaching strategies. 

With a commitment to local control and no mandate of specific programs, the Plan aims to provide guidance for local decisions around classroom instruction, professional learning, intervention systems, and student supports based on community needs. The Comprehensive Numeracy Plan is focused on three goals:

The complete Illinois Comprehensive Numeracy Plan and available resources and tools are available on the ISBE website. 

Site-Based Financial Reporting Window Now Open
Required for two federal reports, the FY 2026 Site-Based Financial Reporting submission window is now open. For the Site-Based Expenditure Report, districts have until August 17 to submit per-pupil expenditure data into the IWAS system. This data is also included in the Illinois Report Card for 2026. 

For the School-Level Finance Survey, data must be submitted in IWAS by November 2. However, if districts use ISBE’s online tool for Site-Based Expenditure Reporting, ISBE can complete the survey on behalf of districts.

More information about both reports, as well as resources, reporting guidance, and video tutorials, is available on the Site-Based Financial Reporting webpage. 

Funding & Grant Opportunities
ISBE provides a list of funding and grant opportunities available to districts on its website. The list includes the grants available, a description of each, and the associated deadlines to complete each grant application. A full schedule of available opportunities can be found in the FY 2027 Funding Opportunities Planning Calendar.