Dear Parent or Guardian, 

Beginning February 2, 2026, parents and guardians across Illinois will have the opportunity to participate in the tenth annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey provides an opportunity to share feedback on the organizational conditions and practices that support your child's school. 

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the survey is administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago and is based on the 5Essentials for School Success, a research-based framework linked to improved student outcomes such as attendance and academic growth. The five areas of focus are: 

• Effective Leaders 

• Collaborative Teachers 

• Involved Families

• Supportive Environments 

• Ambitious Instruction 

Research involving more than 400 schools has shown that schools strong in at least three of these areas were ten times more likely to improve student learning gains than schools weak in three or more areas. 

Teachers and students in grades four through twelve will also be invited to participate. School-level reports are generated when teacher and/or student participation reaches at least 50 percent and will be shared with schools and districts in May 2026, as well as included in the State School Report Card. 

The District has also elected to offer the optional Parent Supplemental Survey. If at least 20 percent of parents or guardians participate, a parent supplement report will be generated. Parent results are not included in the State School Report Card. 

All survey responses are completely confidential and are not linked to individual parents, guardians, or students. 

The Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey will be open from February 2, 2026, through March 10, 2026. To participate, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey. 

For more information or to view prior reports, please visit https://illinois.5-essentials.org . If you have questions, please contact me at cmckay@district130.org. 

Sincerely, 

Colleen M. McKay, Ed.D.

Superintendent