Charter schools are publicly-funded educational entities that operate independently from local school districts and are exempt from certain state and local requirements, particularly with regard to teacher personnel policy. In exchange for this flexibility, charter schools are held more accountable for results and may be shut down if they fail to…

This report, the third in an IERC series on public school principals in Illinois, summarizes the results of a survey of 877 Illinois public school principals conducted by the IERC in November 2010. The purpose of the survey, and of this report, is to provide policymakers and the public with a better understanding of the important role principals…

Total enrollments (undergraduate and graduate) in languages other than English dropped by 9.2% between fall 2013 and fall 2016, as reported in the Modern Language Association's twenty-fifth language enrollment census. Despite the overall drop, there were gains in nearly half of all language programs (45.5%) that mitigate somewhat the downward…

This report provides information about the performance of Illinois' 2016 graduating seniors who took the ACT as sophomores, juniors, or seniors; and self-reported at the time of testing that they were scheduled to graduate in 2016. Beginning with the Graduating Class of 2013, all students whose scores are college reportable, both standard and…

In this paper, we report the results of a pilot study of the cost of teacher turnover in five school districts. We examine the rate of turnover, the relationship between turnover and teacher and school characteristics, and the costs associated with recruiting, hiring, and training replacement teachers. We find evidence that turnover costs,…

This report provides information about the performance of Illinois's 2012 graduating seniors who took the ACT as sophomores, juniors, or seniors; and self-reported at the time of testing that they were scheduled to graduate in 2012 and tested under standard time conditions. This report focuses on: (1) Performance: student test performance in the…

The "Measuring College and Career Readiness" report for each state represents a snapshot of the ACT-tested graduates in the class of 2009 and focuses on their readiness for college and careers. Designed to inform policymakers and practitioners about selected indicators of effectiveness, the report is not intended to be comprehensive but…

In U.S. public schools a limited number of women have attained the position of superintendent. Consequently, there has been limited research focusing on understanding the position from a woman?s perspective. The purpose of this study was to add to the small body of literature focusing on women?s ideas and beliefs about leading schools. A survey…

This report provides information about the performance of 2009 graduating seniors who took the ACT as sophomores, juniors, or seniors; and self-reported at the time of testing that they were scheduled to graduate in 2009 and tested under standard time conditions. This report focuses on: (1) Performance: student test performance in the context of…

In 1991, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, working with Illinois colleges and universities, began an initiative to improve productivity, enhance quality, and refine priorities for higher education in Illinois. This initiative, commonly known as PQP, has focused to date on instructional research, public service, and administrative programs…

This study was conducted on statewide enrollment trends and student characteristics in Illinois public community colleges. The study analyzed fall 1990 enrollments by college, full-/part-time status, sex, ethnic origin, age, student level, first-time/continuing enrollment status, and program. Study findings included the following: (1) at the end…

In 1992, a study was conducted on statewide enrollment trends and student characteristics in Illinois public community colleges. The study analyzed fall 1991 enrollments by college, full-/part-time status, sex, ethnic origin, age, student level, first-time/continuing student enrollment status, and program. Study findings included the following:…

In 1990, a study was conducted on statewide enrollment trends and student characteristics in Illinois public community colleges. The study analyzed fall 1989 enrollments by college, full-/part-time status, sex, ethnic origin, age, student level, first-time/continuing enrollment status, and program. Study findings included the following: (1) at the…