Illinois State Board of Education

The Illinois State Board of Education released AI usage guidelines for K-12 education, developed with assistance from AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. The guidance followed legislation requiring ethical AI use and addressing educator concerns about privacy, accuracy, and student learning impacts.

Illinois state education officials released a 400-page framework for responsible AI use in schools, emphasizing human relationships in teaching and local decision-making. The guidance, informed by AI chatbots like ChatGPT, outlines four principles and avoids state mandates, aligning with efforts in at least 34 other states.

The Illinois State Board of Education approved a numeracy plan to improve math education, offering districts and teachers resources without mandating a curriculum. The plan follows a 2024 literacy initiative and addresses declining student math scores post-pandemic, with revised benchmarks complicating year-over-year comparisons.

Illinois’ FY27 state budget allocates $9.2 billion for K-12 schools via an evidence-based funding formula, a $350 million increase from last year, but education advocates argue the state remains off track to fully fund schools by 2027. Chicago Public Schools faces a $732 million deficit and potential staff cuts, intensifying calls for additional state support.

Illinois legislature passed Senate Bill 2427 to ban student cellphone use during school hours, with exceptions for healthcare, Individualized Education Plans, and English learners. Governor JB Pritzker announced his intention to sign the bill, calling it 'vital protections' for students.