Education

ISBE to Host Listening Sessions on New Plan to Boost Math Performance Statewide

Illinois education leaders are launching a new strategy to try to boost math proficiency for students as test scores statewide continue to lag behind pre-pandemic levels.

The Illinois State Board of Education next month will begin hosting listening sessions around the state on the first draft of its Comprehensive Numeracy Plan, which the board said will provide guidance that supports educators, schools and districts in advancing student success in math.

"Every student deserves the confidence that comes from strong math skills,” Illinois Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders said in a statement. “Numeracy equips students to think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions in daily life.”

Data from the annual Illinois State Report Card shows student proficiency in both math and English language arts declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. While statewide performance in language arts has since rebounded, math performance is still lagging behind.

Almost 32% of students met or exceeded state performance levels in math in 2019, compared to 28% in 2024, the most recent data in the Report Card.

According to Sanders, the numeracy plan will give educators evidence-based tools necessary to help students succeed while ensuring every child in Illinois has access to high-quality math instruction.

The upcoming listening sessions will be held at the following dates and locations:

• Oct. 16 — Springfield (ISBE Office, 100 N. 1st St.)
• Oct. 22 — Naperville (Northern Illinois University Naperville Campus, NIU Conference Center, 1120 E. Diehl Road)
• Oct. 23 — Rockford (Rockford Public Schools 205 Administration Building, 501 7th St.)
• Nov. 4 — Virtual
• Nov. 5 — Champaign-Urbana (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 601 S. Lincoln Ave.)
• Nov. 12 — Edwardsville (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Morris University Center, 60 Hairpin Dr.)
• Nov. 13 — Carbondale (Carbondale High School, 1301 E. Walnut St.)
• Nov. 18 — Chicago (ISBE Office, 555 W. Monroe St.)

ISBE has invited educators, instructional coaches, administrators, regional offices of education, counselors and other education leaders to attend the sessions.

Already more than 3,000 educators, school leaders and education partners have provided feedback on the proposal as part of an assessment survey launched earlier this year.

The first draft of the plan will be published in conjunction with the upcoming listening sessions, while ISBE expects the finalized plan to be presented for approval by June 2026.

“Numeracy is a foundational skill that impacts every aspect of a student’s education and future success, and ISBE’s listening sessions are a critical step in gathering insights to inform the development of our state’s numeracy plan,” state Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) said in a statement. “By engaging with educators and experts, we’re ensuring our approach is both effective and responsive to the needs of students across our state.”

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