The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has issued non-regulatory guidance on universal mental health screenings for students in grades 3-12, which will be required starting with the 2027-2028 school year. 105 ILCS 5/2-3.203.
Identifying emotional and behavioral health issues in the school setting is critically important for children and families. Universal mental health screenings are not intended as a diagnostic tool, but as a proactive measure to help identify at-risk students, reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues, and connect children to tiered academic and mental health interventions before minor challenges escalate into more significant learning barriers.
The ISBE guidance lays out operational protocols emphasizing governance, data security, and family engagement. Model procedures are included that describe parental consent options and student privacy requirements. The document provides phased readiness strategies and guidance on connecting students and parents with school-based and/or private resources so that every flagged screening results in timely follow-up recommendations. Finally, emphasis is placed on training school personnel to administer and interpret screening tools and communicate with all stakeholders regarding mental health supports and interventions available to students and families.
In Illinois, ensuring that all students have access to mental health resources and support is not only a matter of fostering individual well-being but also of creating a safe, supportive, and conducive learning environment.
