In 2010, the Performance Evaluation Reform Act introduced a requirement in Article 24A of the Illinois School Code that school districts had to incorporate data and indicators of student growth as a “significant factor” in teacher, principal, and assistant principal evaluations, now totaling at least 30% of the educator’s or principal’s or assistant principal’s overall summative evaluation rating. The requirement was phased in, and since September 1, 2016, student growth has been a significant factor in those evaluation ratings.
However, Public Act 104-0020 was signed into law on June 30, 2025, and goes into effect on July 1, 2025. Under P.A. 104-0020, school districts are no longer required to incorporate data and indicators of student growth as a significant factor in teacher, principal, or assistant principal evaluations. Instead, for teachers, “each school district may, in good faith cooperation with its teacher representatives or where applicable, with the exclusive bargaining representative of its teachers, incorporate the use of data and indicators on student growth as a factor in rating teaching performance.” Thus, the student-growth component is no longer required by law, and even if student growth is included, the law no longer requires it to be a “significant” factor; those determinations will be made locally in each school district.
School districts interested in removing student growth from being a factor or reducing the percentage of student growth that is used as a factor in evaluations will need to closely review their current collective bargaining agreements and evaluation plans to determine next steps.
Contact any member of our Labor/Personnel practice group with questions about this new law’s implications.
