The study examined the effects of the federally funded Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) program on student performance on mandated standardized tests. The study focused on the mathematics and reading scores of Illinois public elementary and middle and junior high school students. The federal CSR program provided Illinois schools with an annual grant of at least $50,000 for three consecutive years. Each school in the program was allowed to select from a list of commercially available CSR programs. Schools could also develop their own CSR program. Research to identify the scores achieved by students of the schools that received grants was performed. By identifying the Reading and Mathematics scores from the 2004 through 2007 years, data was produced to identify changes in student performance. Changes in student performance in the schools using CSR was then compared to changes in student performance in Illinois schools classified as low income and then to all Illinois schools taken as a whole. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]