ACADEMICS / PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM

Registration
Requirements for school registration in Illinois include an official birth certificate, proof of residency (mortgage papers, lease agreement, or current utility bill), legal proof of guardianship if applicable, and health and immunization records. New students will also need to provide transcripts from the previous school attended or contact information for requesting transcripts. Illinois requires immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, and rubella in specific doses and intervals.

In addition to a test for tuberculosis, all kindergarten and fifth-grade students and any first graders who have not attended kindergarten must have a physical exam. Only in extreme circumstances will a child be allowed to attend school if health and immunization requirements are incomplete. Even in those cases, the grace period is only 15 days. The cut-off date for kindergarten registration for five-year-olds or first-grade registration for six-year-olds is July 1st of the enrollment year. For more information or answers to specific questions, contact the local school office or the state education agency:

Illinois State Board of Education
312-814-2220
www.isbe.net

Charter Schools
In many communities, charter schools present an alternative choice for public education. Operating under a “charter,” these schools are free from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. Charter schools are designed to create choice for parents and students within the public education system as well as encourage innovative teaching practices. For more information about schools that may be available in your area, contact:

Illinois Network of Charter Schools
312-629-2063
www.incschools.org

Assessment & Testing
Illinois requires public schools to administer a variety of tests that are designed to measure the performance of students and schools against the Illinois Learning Standards. For more information on statewide and national standards testing or to review school scores, contact:

Illinois Student Assessment Division
866-317-6034
www.isbe.net/Pages/Assessment.aspx