September 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM - Board of Education - Ed Policy Committee Meeting Agenda

Child Adversity Index

In 2003, the Illinois General Assembly required ISBE to create the Children’s Adversity Index, and it measures childhood trauma exposure in children ages 3 through 18 years old. Calculations are presented at the district level, as required by the statute. However, the data is not about school districts and is not based on student enrollment; instead, it illuminates the unique characteristics of the whole community each district serves. The data is organized into three domains:

1. Community Risk Trajectories -— they signal systemic issues like limited access to health care and mental health services. 

2. Community Unmet Needs looks at gaps in community supports like food insecurity, which can affect physical health, academic performance, and long-term development.