Illinois State Board of Education Adopts First Comprehensive Numeracy Plan to Strengthen Math Outcomes Statewide

​SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois State Board of Education today adopted the Illinois Comprehensive Numeracy Plan, a first-of-its-kind statewide framework designed to support schools and districts in strengthening mathematics teaching and learning for all students.

The plan, which builds on the success of Illinois' 2024 Comprehensive Literacy Plan, provides research-based guidance to help educators build students' confidence, reasoning, and problem-solving skills in mathematics, while reinforcing Illinois' longstanding commitment to local control.

"Numeracy is foundational to student success in school, careers, and everyday life," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. "This plan gives educators the tools and framework they need to ensure all students develop the skills and confidence to engage with math in meaningful ways."

"I'm proud of the work we continue to do in Illinois to support our educators," said State Representative Katie Stuart, D-Collinsville, who taught math before serving in the legislature. "This plan takes into account the fact that every student and community is different and equips educators with evidence-based strategies to develop math instruction that reflects students' diverse backgrounds and needs."

The Illinois Comprehensive Numeracy Plan was developed through a process that included a statewide needs assessment, public comment, focus groups, and two rounds of listening tours with educators, stakeholders, and community members across Illinois.

The plan responds to persistent statewide challenges in mathematics achievement, including slower post-pandemic recovery in math and longstanding disparities across student groups. The Numeracy Plan aims to reverse those trends by focusing on high-quality instruction, coherent learning progressions, and targeted supports for students and educators.

Educators, school leaders, and districts can use the plan to guide local decisions around classroom instruction, professional learning, intervention systems, and student supports based on community needs.

The plan is organized around three key goals:

• Students will build and apply numeracy skills through tasks that develop reasoning, fluency, and real-world problem solving.
• Educators will use evidence-based numeracy instructional strategies to strengthen students' mathematical understanding and confidence.
• Leaders will promote a culture of numeracy through targeted professional learning and data-informed instructional support.

The guidance emphasizes high-quality mathematics instruction that is intentional, data-informed, and grounded in evidence-based teaching strategies. The plan identifies the Six Components of Numeracy, the interacting strands that define mathematical proficiency and support mathematical success for every learner. A central focus of the plan is ensuring equitable access to evidence-based mathematics instruction for all students, including multilingual learners, students with specialized learning needs, and those historically underserved.

The plan calls for:

• Instruction that reflects students' diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Inclusive classroom practices and differentiated instruction tailored to student learning needs
• A clear, connected plan for how students learn in which teaching, testing, extra resources, and different levels of support all work together to help every student succeed

"Math achievement is not about whether students are 'math people.' It's about whether we are providing the right opportunities, supports, and instruction," said ISBE's Executive Director of Teaching & Learning Dr. Ronda Dawson. "This plan affirms that every student can succeed in mathematics."

Consistent with Illinois' local control structure, the Numeracy Plan does not mandate curriculum or specific programs. Instead, it provides a flexible framework that districts can adopt or adapt based on local needs.

ISBE will support implementation through professional learning, tools, and resources, which will be updated regularly on the agency's website. The full Illinois Comprehensive Numeracy Plan is available on the Illinois Comprehensive Numeracy Plan webpage.​