Myla Munro Earns Distinguished Service Award
A University of Illinois Extension 4-H educator in McLean County is recognized for expanding youth food, STEM and agriculture programs.
Illinois Secondary Education News
Secondary education in Illinois runs on middle school and high school curriculum, graduation requirements and the day-to-day high school experience, and coverage here follows all of it. Reporting takes in state rules, district decisions, graduation outcomes and programs that set a school apart.
Recent news
November 11, 2026
Illinois Bans Student Cellphone Use During School DayThe new state law takes effect in the 2027-2028 school year, requiring districts to restrict phone access from first bell to final dismissal.
November 7, 2026
Five Cisne Graduates Earn American FFA DegreeFive 2025 Cisne High School graduates were recognized with the National FFA Organization's highest honor at its national convention.
November 5, 2026
Trump Administration Challenges Illinois Mental Health Screening RulesFederal officials say Illinois guidance letting parents decline student mental health screenings may violate federal student privacy law.
November 3, 2026
Northern Illinois Districts Put Bonds on November BallotSeveral school districts across northern Illinois are asking voters to approve bond and tax referendums on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
October 30, 2026
Education Department Challenges Illinois Mental Health PolicyFederal officials demand Illinois revise student screening and recordkeeping protocols or face potential funding cuts.
October 30, 2026
Illinois Schools Earn New Exemplary Status DesignationsThe Illinois State Board of Education released new annual report cards for public schools across the state.
October 30, 2026
Illinois Releases Annual State School District ACT ResultsThe state has published performance data for 850 districts, highlighting student proficiency across key academic subjects.
October 29, 2026
Illinois Governor Candidates to Debate Education PoliciesVoters will choose between JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey on November 3, 2026, amid debates over funding and school curricula.
October 29, 2026
Illinois Releases 2025-26 School Report Card RatingsThe state updated its evaluation system to include five categories for school performance across Illinois.
October 28, 2026
Sixty-Two Illinois Students Earn Music Festival SpotsHigh school musicians from District 202 are selected to perform in regional jazz, choir, band, and orchestra festivals.
More in Secondary Education
This section follows graduation requirements set at the state level, curriculum changes and the debates that accompany them, and the programs schools adopt or receive recognition for. Coverage reaches from the state capital to rural districts, and from the largest metropolitan systems to small high schools. Graduation requirements and the local decisions that implement them often diverge, so the two are reported separately. Student wellbeing and staffing limits are the two constraints that touch nearly every school in the state.