Illinois Superintendent Newsletter Guide

Illinois superintendents lead districts in one of the country's most diverse states, serving communities that range from Chicago's inner ring suburbs to small farming communities in southern Illinois. What those communities share is the expectation that their superintendent will communicate honestly, consistently, and with respect for the community's investment in its schools.

Communicate IAR and PSAT/SAT results clearly

Illinois uses the IAR in grades 3-8 and PSAT and SAT in high school. Superintendent newsletters that explain the assessments used at each grade level, report the district's results with context, and describe the district's response, give families a coherent picture of student performance across the full grade span.

Explain the Illinois School Report Card

The Illinois Report Card measures schools on multiple dimensions including academic performance, growth, equity, graduation rates, and environment. Superintendent newsletters that explain the Report Card and provide context for the district's indicators help families interpret public data accurately rather than relying solely on headline comparisons.

Address Evidence-Based Funding in accessible terms

Illinois' EBF formula is designed to increase funding equity across the state over time. When state budget decisions affect EBF allocations, superintendent newsletters that explain the connection between state funding decisions and local program impacts build community understanding that can translate into advocacy.

Communicate about culturally responsive teaching initiatives

Illinois has invested in culturally responsive teaching standards and curriculum. Superintendent newsletters that describe how the district is implementing these standards, what it looks like in classrooms, and what outcomes it is producing, connect state policy to the lived experience of students from historically marginalized communities.

Build community engagement as a communication goal

Illinois communities range from highly engaged suburban districts with robust parent organizations to lower-income districts where engagement barriers are significant. Superintendent newsletters that actively invite engagement, describe what community involvement looks like, and make participation accessible to families with varying schedules and language backgrounds, build the engagement that supports school quality.

Sample excerpt

"Our IAR results are in. In ELA, 56% of our students met or exceeded expectations, compared to 53% last year and the state average of 55%. In math, 41% met or exceeded expectations, compared to 39% last year. Our Illinois Report Card will be published this fall; I will share it with you directly with full context as soon as it is available. Our district is currently at 82% of the Evidence-Based Funding adequacy target; the state's annual EBF increase this year added $1.4 million to our budget, which we are investing in reading intervention and middle school math coaching."

Daystage delivers superintendent newsletters to every family inbox in Illinois districts, ensuring that honest, timely communication reaches every family in the community.