The Quality Counts report considers various factors when determining the rankings, including academic achievement, equity and school finance. Illinois's strengths include its high school graduation rate, which is above the national average, and its efforts to improve early childhood education. However, the state faces challenges in areas such as its achievement gaps between different student groups and its school funding system.
It is worth noting that rankings can vary depending on the methodology and criteria used. Different organizations and publications may have different rankings for Illinois or any other state, so it is always advisable to refer to multiple sources for a more comprehensive understanding.
For the most up-to-date information on Illinois's education ranking, I recommend consulting reliable sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics, Education Week's Quality Counts report, or the Illinois State Board of Education.