Evanston Township High School Reported Racial Disparities
A new report detailed inequities in special education placements and grading outcomes for students in Evanston.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Special Education
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Evanston Township High School released data showing significant racial disparities in its special education program. The report highlighted unequal placement trends and grading outcomes for Black and Latino students between 2018 and 2027.
Why it matters
The findings were presented to evaluate the effectiveness of educational resources and address persistent academic gaps. These results have triggered a new three-year action plan to improve equitable access and academic rigor.
Between 2018 and 2027, placements in more restrictive environments increased by 78%, while less restrictive placements fell by 34%. Half of all students in the most restrictive settings were Black, compared to 30% Latino and 10% white.
The players
Evanston Township High School
This public secondary school serves students in the Evanston area and recently conducted an internal review of its special education services.
The details
The report synthesized student placement records, grade data, and survey results from staff and families. While 60% of teachers cited benefits from co-teaching, the findings pointed to systemic challenges in student academic achievement and placement equity.
Timeline
Data collection for student placement trends occurred from 2018 to 2027.
Grading outcomes were evaluated for the graduating class of 2025.
The report findings were presented to the school board on October 13, 2026.
The school is executing an action plan over a three-year period.
Culture Shift
The school's report highlights a local departure from the federal goal of placing students in the least restrictive environment established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This finding reflects a growing push for greater accountability in how educational institutions handle equity for diverse student populations.
Families with students currently in the IEP program may see changes to classroom assignments and support services as the three-year action plan is implemented. Parents can expect updated communication regarding how the school will address these academic disparities in the coming months.
The takeaway
Understanding how student placement metrics impact graduation and grading is critical for families navigating special education services. Parents are encouraged to review upcoming school board updates to monitor how these new instructional policies affect their students.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational standards in the Special Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston RoundTable.
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