Springfield, IL – In an effort to help parents better understand the progress of schools and districts across the state, Governor Quinn signed a measure today that will redesign the school report card. Sponsored by Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Senator Ed Maloney (D-Chicago), the redesign will make the report card more user-friendly and focus on student outcomes, student progress, and school environment.

One requirement in the Education Reform Package passed by the General Assembly in 2011, the school report card revamp was to be decided by the P-20 Council. House Bill 605 represents the Council’s recommendations and the redesigned report card will be issued each October 31st starting in 2013. The State Board of Education is required to provide a state report card, school district report card, and school report card to each school district.

"The legislation will help parents better understand the effectiveness of their children's schools," Maloney said. "Sometimes information overload can be ineffective. The previous report cards did not give general info and it was a lot for parents to comprehend what effect individual components played in the efficiency of their child’s education."

The new school report card design will expand on the areas previously reported by the State Board of Education, but will include a one-page summary. Those areas include student demographics, curriculum, student achievements and school environment. The new design was developed by a coalition of a steering committee, teachers, parents and students.