FY26 academic assessments
Upcoming academic assessments
February 2026
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Spring marks the time of year when our students complete state and federal required academic assessments. These assessments help us understand our students’ learning level of the grade level learning standards. Please see below for more detailed information.
According to the federal law:
Students in 3rd-8th grade must take an achievement exam in reading/language arts and mathematics each year. Here in Illinois, this assessment is called the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR).
Students with the most significant cognitive disabilities must take alternate assessments in reading/language arts, mathematics, and science. In Illinois, students with significant cognitive disabilities take the assessment called the Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment (DLM-AA).
Students in 5th and 8th grade must take an achievement exam in science. In Illinois, this exam is called the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA).
Students identified as English Learners (ELs) must take an English language proficiency exam once per year until English proficiency is reached. In Illinois, this exam is called the ACCESS, as previously communicated in January, 2026.
Assessments help improve standards, curriculum, and instruction at the classroom, school, district, and state levels. We encourage students to do their best on all assessments. Schools will begin testing in the next couple of weeks and will share additional information with families.
If you have any questions or concerns related to the mandated assessments listed above, please contact the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Assessment Department at (866) 317-6034 or visit www.isbe.net/Pages/Assessment.aspx.
If you have questions or comments related to testing in District 62, please contact the principal of your child’s school or reach out to our assessment coordinator, Christy Bowman at 847-789-5566 or bowmanc@d62.org.
Thank you for your partnership in your student’s academic success.
Sincerely,
Amy Cengel
Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services