Illinois outline

Illinois

State Standards Analysis & Recommendations for Improvement


COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS


Readiness standards are published and promoted and describe the competencies students need to learn and possess for entry into and success in college and the workforce. They may or may not be assessed by the state but exist as guidance for educators and expectations for students.

Yes
Does the state define college and/or career readiness?
Yes
Does the state have career readiness standards?
Yes
Does the state report metrics related to college and/or career readiness?
Yes
Does the state include college/career readiness in its accountability formula?
Yes
Are students expected to demonstrate readiness for college and/or career upon graduation?
Yes
Are Durable Skills reflected in career readiness standards?
Yes
Does the state publish career readiness/employability skills standards?
No
Does the state have a complete framework for work-based learning?
Yes
Does the state define WBL?
No
Does the state have clear expectations for WBL programs?
No
Does the state have a WBL quality guide?
Yes
Does the state report on WBL participation and outcomes?
Yes
Does the state use WBL participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding?
Yes
Does the state provide guidance related to career/employability skills?

WORK-BASED LEARNING (WBL)


Work-based learning describes comprehensive guidance, expectations for educators and employers, and quality indicators for assessment.

DURABLE SKILLS ALIGNED WITH READINESS GUIDANCE
  • Character
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Creativity
  • Critical Thinking
  • Fortitude
  • Growth Mindset
  • Leadership
  • Metacognition
  • Mindfulness

GRADUATE PROFILE


A graduate profile includes the competencies and skills a student possesses when they graduate from high school. They showcase student learning outcomes and present a full picture of a student’s abilities.

Yes
Does the state include career/workforce readiness in its graduation requirements?
Yes
Does the state outline a robust set of graduation requirements?
Policy Question Answer Additional Information
Does the state define college and/or career readiness? Yes

Yes, the state’s definition of college and/or career readiness is “Although readiness includes being prepared to take credit-bearing postsecondary courses in core subject areas, Illinois’ college- and career-readiness objectives also extend to developing employability skills and opportunities for students to pursue a personalized education plan based on their academic and career interests.”

Does the state have career readiness standards? Yes

Yes, the state’s career-readiness standards are available here.

Additional Resource: ISBE PaCE Framework

Does the state report metrics related to college and/or career readiness? Yes

Yes, the state’s reported metrics related to college and/or career readiness include:

  • ACT scores
  • ACCESS scores
  • Students completing college preparatory coursework
  • Students taking dual-credit or honors courses
  • NAEP scores
  • WorkKeys certificate
  • CTE enrollments
  • Students receiving industry credentials
  • Postsecondary enrollment
Does the state include college/career readiness in its accountability formula? Yes

Yes, find out more about college/career readiness in the state’s accountability formula here.

Are students expected to demonstrate readiness for college and/or career upon graduation? Yes

Yes, students are expected to demonstrate college and/or career readiness through:

  • Advanced Coursework Enrollment
  • Postsecondary Assessment (SAT/ACT/Other)
  • CTE Participation (CTE, WBL, Credential, Apprenticeship, Other)
  • Postsecondary Enrollment

Additional Resources: ISBE CCR Indicators, Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act​

Are Durable Skills reflected in career readiness standards? Yes

Yes, the following Durable Skills are reflected in the state’s career-readiness standards:

  • Character
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Fortitude
  • Growth Mindset
  • Leadership
  • Metacognition
  • Mindfulness
Does the state publish career readiness/employability skills standards? Yes

Yes, the state’s career-readiness/employability skills are available here.

 

Policy Question Answer Additional Information
Does the state have a complete framework for work-based learning? No
Does the state define WBL? Yes

Yes, the state’s definition for work-based learning is available here.

Does the state have clear expectations for WBL programs? No
Does the state have a WBL quality guide? No
Does the state report on WBL participation and outcomes? Yes

Yes, Illinois state law requires school report cards to include current data on the percentage of students who participated in work-based learning opportunities. In 2019, the Department of Labor was required to produce a public-facing report on apprenticeships and WBL as a part of SB2024. That was a one-time report. 

Does the state use WBL participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding? Yes

Yes, the state uses work-based learning participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding. Learn more here.

Does the state provide guidance related to career/employability skills? Yes

Yes, the state’s guidance related to career/employability skills can be found here.

Additional Resource: IL Career Pathways Dictionary

Policy Question Answer Additional Information
Does the state include career/workforce readiness in its graduation requirements? Yes

Yes, the readiness requirements outlined by the state are partial and grouped with other content areas. Students must complete at least 1 year of courses in either CTE, fine arts, or foreign language. Additionally, students must complete the PSAT in grade 9 or 10 and the SAT in grade 11. Students demonstrate they’ve met these requirements via coursework and assessment. 

Does the state outline a robust set of graduation requirements? Yes

Yes, the state outlines a robust set of graduation requirements that can be found here.