The Illinois State Board of Education altered its rating criteria, boosting the share of Chicago public schools with Exemplary status by 17% as part of a new accountability system.
GMNA Chicago
On Oct. 30, 2026, the Illinois State Board of Education announced changes to its school performance criteria, resulting in a 17% increase in the number of Chicago public schools earning the top Exemplary rating.
The revisions are part of an updated accountability system that alters how schools are evaluated under the state's new report card framework.
