Did you know that the month of March is Women’s History Month? Illinois has been home to its fair share of amazing historical women figures, including activist Ida B. Wells.

Born in Mississippi in 1862, Ida was a prominent investigative journalist, educator, women’s suffragist, socialist and early leader in the civil rights movement, being one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress report, Illinois ’eighth-graders outperformed the national average in both math and reading.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the “Nation’s Report Card,” is given every two years to a sample of America’s children. It is considered one of the best gauges of the academic progress of the U.S. school system. The most recent exam was administered in early 2024 in every state, testing fourth- and eighth-grade students on math and reading.

Topping off the achievement in Illinois, third- through eighth-graders showed the highest English proficiency rate to date.

Below are the detailed results of the exams:

• For the state’s fourth-graders, 59% performed at or above grade level in both math and reading, while 30% expressed proficiency.
• Taking a closer look, Illinois students did well in math, with 62% of eighth-graders performing at or above grade level and 32% at or above proficiency, a 6% percent increase since 2022.
• Fourth-graders also excelled in math, with 74% performing at grade level and 38% performing above proficiency.

This year, Illinois surpassed the national average, with only one state outperforming them. According to the report, 70% of eighth-graders performed at or above grade level while 33% of students achieved proficiency, which in the assessment is described as a more “aspirational” level of performance beyond grade level.

Illinois was named the third best state for college students in 2025, according to a recent study from a non-profit charity rating organization SmileHub.

In order to determine the rankings, SmileHub compared each of the 50 states based on 28 key metrics and three specific dimensions: education quality and support, social life, and economic environment.

Illinois ranked fourth for education quality and support, and fifth for social life – with an overall ranking of third with a score of 60.15.

Higher education is extremely important to Illinois with nearly 700,000 students enrolled in higher education programs across the state.

The ranking also looked at highest state funding for higher education and Illinois tied for first.

View the full SmileHub ranking here.

The U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized 18 Illinois schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2024. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students.

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”

In a recent study analyzing 14 key metrics demonstrating innovative educational practices, Illinois ranked fifth — establishing it as a leader in innovative education.

The metrics included factors such as remote learning accessibility and project-based learning, which prepares students for the real world while in school and improves their creativity and flexibility. Other factors included the number of schools in each state offering Advanced Placement courses, the number of universities with test-optional policies, the number of education charities in each state, and how many resource center awards each state has received.