Committeeman Mark Albers  says ‘Illinois children deserve schools that meet high standards’

by B. H. Fischer - North Cook News - August 24, 2026

Mark Albers, Committeeman & President of Niles Township GOP said Illinois is softening school accountability metrics at the same moment student proficiency and attendance remain well below acceptable levels. 

According to Albers in a statement to North Cook News, "Changing what we call a problem does not make the problem go away, and Illinois families deserve better than a school accountability system built around managing optics rather than improving outcomes. One in four Illinois students is chronically absent, and fewer than four in ten can demonstrate grade-level math proficiency, yet the state's response has been to lower proficiency thresholds and remove attendance as a meaningful factor in school ratings. Parents, students, and taxpayers are owed honest data and real accountability, not a statistical makeover. Illinois children deserve schools that meet high standards, not standards redesigned to meet low results."

Capitol News Illinois reported that Illinois's 2025 school report card showed more than half of all students scored proficient or better in English language arts, while only 38% met grade-level proficiency standards in math. Chronic absenteeism declined for the third consecutive year but remained high at 25.4% statewide. The report card was also the first issued under a revised scoring system that lowered the cut scores for proficiency, with state officials arguing prior benchmarks were set too high, according to Capitol News Illinois.

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