Illinois State Board of Education wants to revamp how it counts low-income students

May 2, 2026 - 22:48

The Illinois State Board of Education is pushing for a major change in how it identifies and counts students from low-income households. The current system relies heavily on tracking which families receive federal benefits like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. However, the number of families using these benefits has been steadily declining, making the old method less reliable for determining a school's true economic need.

Board officials argue that the shrinking pool of benefit recipients means many struggling families are being overlooked. This is not just a data problem. The count directly affects how the state distributes millions of dollars in funding for programs like free lunches, after-school support, and additional classroom resources. If the count is off, schools in poorer neighborhoods could miss out on critical money.

The proposed revamp would look at a wider set of indicators beyond just federal benefit rolls. Ideas include using state tax records, direct applications from families, or even enrollment in other assistance programs that are not tied to the federal system. The goal is to get a more accurate and fair picture of poverty across Illinois schools. The board is expected to hold public hearings on the plan in the coming months before any official vote.