The mission of IL-EMPOWER is to build the capacity of adults to support continuous improvement of schoolwide systems in order to prepare students for post-secondary success. IL-EMPOWER is designed for the specific purpose of helping school personnel implement effective school improvement practices.

To achieve its mission, IL-EMPOWER promotes the alignment of supports and resources, like human resources, expertise and consultation, existing programs, additional money to meet the needs of schools, and it utilizes an accountability system with early warning indicators to ensure that schools are positively improving student outcomes.

IL-EMPOWER seeks to build a strong and stable foundation of schoolwide systems by developing effective continuous improvement practices, also known as school improvement planning

Starting with the 2018 School Report Card, each Illinois school received a Summative Designation, a measure of progress in academic and student success. Multiple measures determine which one of four Summative Designations is appropriate for the school and can be found on the School Report Card.

Due to the national health pandemic and the resulting school closures, there will be no new Summative Designations for the 2021-2022 school year.