In fall 2003, the Illinois State Board of Education will launch a recognition program, Spotlight Schools, for 27 high poverty schools where high academic performance is closing the "achievement gap." The Spotlight Schools program grew out of research at Northern Illinois University, which is managing the statewide awards.

Criteria for selecting these schools are rigorous. All schools must be making Adequate Yearly Progress. At least half the students are from low-income families and at least 60% must be passing the state achievement tests. For more information about how they were selected, see "Selection of Spotlight Schools."

Located throughout the state in urban, suburban, and rural locations, the Spotlight Schools exhibit achievements that are contrary to the conventional wisdom that test scores will reflect demographics despite local efforts. They demonstrate that low-income students and schools with limited resources can show impressive academic performance. These schools know how to help all students succeed. Explore this web page for information on how they do it.

The Spotlight Schools awards grew out of research done at Northern Illinois University in 2002. This project is one of NIU's P-20 initiatives, an extensive program of activities intended to strengthen quality and coordination across the educational continuum from pre-school through post-graduate education. For more information, contact p20@niu.edu.

Click Here for a list of 2003 Illinois Spotlight Schools