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From that broader eligibility list, ISBE selects a smaller group of schools to invite to apply.  \nWhat are the two eligibility pathways?  \n1. Exemplary High Achievement  \nThis pathway recognizes schools that demonstrate consistently strong academic outcomes over time, not just in a single year.  \nIn simplified terms, schools qualifying under this pathway:  \n• Show high levels of proficiency in English language arts and mathematics  \n• Meet participation requirements for state assessments  \n• Meet graduation rate requirements (for high schools)  \n• Demonstrate strong performance for all students and, when applicable, for student subgroups  \n• Have a pattern of performance and improvement over multiple years  \nEligibility is not based on accountability rankings alone and is not determined by rank-ordering schools from a single year of data.  \n2. Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing  \nThis pathway honors schools that are making extraordinary progress in closing performance gaps between student groups.  \nSchools qualifying under this pathway:  \n• Show significant improvement over time for identified student groups  \n• Demonstrate that student performance is improving faster than statewide averages  \n• Meet key participation, graduation (when applicable), and data stability requirements  \n• Reflect Illinois’ commitment to educational equity and opportunity  \nThis pathway focuses on growth and progress, not just overall achievement levels.  \nHow many schools were invited under each pathway this year?  \nIllinois has an unwavering commitment to reducing performance gaps across student groups.  \nAll 22 schools statewide that qualified under the Achievement Gap Closing pathway were invited to apply this year.  \nThe remaining 28 invited schools met the Exemplary High Achievement criteria.  \nWhen selecting schools from the high-achievement group, ISBE prioritized:  \n• Geographic balance  \n• A mix of grade configurations (elementary, middle, and high school)  \n• Recognition of different communities across the state  \nWhy wasn’t my school invited even though it performs well?  \nThere are several reasons why a strong school may not have been invited in a given year:  \n• The Blue Ribbon program is not based on accountability rankings  \n• Eligibility looks at patterns of performance and improvement over time, including subgroup performance  \n• The criteria value progress and consistency, not single-year results  \n• ISBE seeks to honor a wide variety of schools over multiple years, not the same schools repeatedly  \nIt is possible that:  \n• A school did not meet one of the specific eligibility criteria used for Blue","cbCaipZ45uSNWUin","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaipZ45uSNWUin","pdf",81990,"English","# Why isn’t there a public application for the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools program?\n# How are schools identified as eligible?\n## What are the two eligibility pathways?\n### 1. Exemplary High Achievement\n### 2. Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing\n# How many schools were invited under each pathway this year?\n# Why wasn’t my school invited even though it performs well?\n# Does this process mean some schools are “better” than others?","[{\"question\":\"Why isn’t there a public application for the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools program?\",\"answer\":\"Schools do not apply directly. ISBE invites a limited number of schools each year based on statewide data and established eligibility criteria.\"},{\"question\":\"What are the two eligibility pathways for invited schools?\",\"answer\":\"The program uses two pathways: Exemplary High Achievement and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing. Both focus on demonstrated performance and improvement over time.\"},{\"question\":\"Why might a strong school not be invited even if it performs well?\",\"answer\":\"Eligibility is not based on accountability rankings and depends on meeting specific criteria, including patterns of improvement and subgroup performance. Selection also aims to distribute recognition across regions, grade levels, and communities.\"}]","Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools Program - Frequently Asked Questions | PDF",1791603740]