This study focused on the federal and Illinois State the reform legislation titled the Performance Evaluation Reform Act and Senate Bill 7. The Performance Evaluation Reform Act or "PERA" was created from collaboration between stakeholders as Illinois competed in a federal competition titled "Race to the Top." The legislation completely revamped how Illinois evaluates certified school staff members that are responsible for providing students a quality education. The review of the literature provides a historical reference of significant events, both federally and locally, that has had an impact on school reform in Illinois. A review of events that have impacted education begins in the 1890's and continues through 2011. Presidential and gubernatorial political agendas leading to PERA and SB 7 are displayed as a way of identifying political influences that have led to the school reform legislation. Several Performance Evaluation Reform Committee members were interviewed as a part of this research study. Data collected through this research study were analyzed through the theoretical framework of Michael Fullan's "Whole System Reform (2010). This study concluded that the PERA legislation does not meet Fullan's criteria to reform the Illinois school system. Although the PERA legislation fosters the ideology that all children can learn, encourages research- based instruction, and has been a catalyst for professional conversations about best practices in education, the PERA requirements have challenges that negatively impact the ability to reform education. Several obstacles that impedes PERA from making significant changes in education include the large x number of priorities, constant changes in leadership, limited funding and the ability to provide professional development, uneven resources across the state, and limited accountability. [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://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]