More than 160 districts in Illinois bar participation by those who aren’t full-time students in their schools.

Federal scholarships could give low-income students access to ACT tutors and study materials to help them improve on the college exam.

Chicago Public Schools’ low-income and minority students recorded lower proficiency rates than the state average. They are also missing more school.

New Illinois State Board of Education data shows low-income and minority public school students are struggling, scoring well below average.

Newly released data from state assessments show just half of Illinois public school students could read at grade level and 2-in-5 could do math proficiently in 2025. That’s after the state lowered proficiency standards to make the numbers look better.

Bill sponsors for a second time amended the ‘Homeschool Act’ as they tried to blunt the heavy criticism of the constitutional, parenting and privacy rights it could trample. Illinois Policy expert testimony showed the changes create more problems with the bill.

Higher grades are being awarded for less achievement in our schools, which helps hide our students’ struggles since the pandemic. Combine that with teachers unions pushing for fewer accountability measures, and the needed push for academic excellence withers.