Part of a comprehensive state study, this report assesses the scope and content of Illinois instructional requirements and offers preliminary recommendations toward improving the public school instructional program. Sources of information include state regulations, interviews, historical documents, statistical data, and analysis of other states' regulations. The introductory discussion includes a history of the state's involvement in defining the curriculum. Almost half the report describes 15 components of the mandated program, providing for each its statutory or regulatory source, a brief historical review, and a summary of its current level of implementation. The analysis concludes that: (1) the mandates generally do not provide clear statements of expectations for schools or students; (2) compliance criteria are so general that the quality of outcomes is not addressed; (3) the mandates do not imply a reasonable assurance that students will achieve certain knowledge or competencies; (4) the absence of mandates would probably affect schools' instructional programs; (5) mandates as a group constitute an acceptable minimal instructional program for elementary school but not for secondary education. Two alternative courses of action are recommended: either modifying present mandates or completely restructuring statutes to reflect changes in State Board of Education leadership and district responsibilities. A basic regulatory document is appended. (MJL)