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March 19, 2024
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State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders visited several schools last week in Effingham, including a stop at a Preschool for All classroom.
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Dear Colleagues:
Imagine you have a child competing in a track meet. She has trained diligently for her event – the 100-meter hurdles – but to qualify for the medal round, she must finish in the top three in her heat. As the runners take their places at the starting line, you can feel your heartbeat quicken.
And they’re off! Your daughter is first out of the blocks, but it’s apparent as she crosses each hurdle that she is falling further and further behind the leaders. In a flash the race is over, and
despite a valiant effort your daughter finishes fourth.
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As you head to the finish line to console your child, you notice something odd out of the corner of your eye. The hurdles in your daughter’s lane are not the same height as those in other lanes – in fact, they are about six inches higher! When you find a track official and point out the clearly uneven playing field, the official appears sympathetic but shrugs his shoulders. “That’s the way we’ve set up this event for as long as I can remember,” he explains. “I know it’s unfair,” he adds, “but I don’t make the rules.”
Sounds ridiculous, right? Something that would never happen. And yet, that’s essentially what’s happening to students in Illinois today. Our current system of student assessment, which should be designed to accurately determine which students are on pace to succeed in college or career, is asking Illinois students to jump over hurdles that are higher than those faced by students in other states. Our cut scores for proficiency are 60 points higher in English language arts and 10 points higher in math than the College Board’s national college readiness benchmarks, which indicate a 75% chance of earning at least a C in first-semester, credit-bearing college courses. It’s an uneven playing field that is sending the wrong messages to students and families across Illinois, and it’s been that way for nearly a decade.
Realigning student assessment is one way we can create a more equitable education system, and it isn’t the only way. We also need to reevaluate how schools themselves are assessed. When there are schools with 0% of students proficient in English language arts or math in the same category as schools that have 80% of students proficient and all are labeled “commendable,” we must acknowledge there’s a problem. When 73% of our schools are labeled “commendable,” despite performance indicators that may be telling a different story, we have to agree it’s time to solve that problem.
If we are to provide a statewide system of support that effectively and equitably directs resources to the places of greatest need, we simply must have more accurate measurements of student success and school performance.
Fortunately, we’re not like that track meet official. We do make the rules, and with your help, we’re going to change them. The federal Every Student Succeeds Act gives each state the authority to adopt challenging academic content standards and aligned academic achievement standards. We must submit our proposed changes to the U.S. Department of Education for review and approval through amendments to our ESSA State Plan.
The process requires opportunities for public comment. Over the next two years ISBE will undergo a process to engage stakeholders across the state in updating and providing feedback on our ESSA State Plan.
Regardless of the outcome of the competitive procurement for the high school assessment, our next step starts with recruiting practitioners and experts in the field to join teams to draft performance level descriptors, which communicate the specific knowledge and skills expected of students when they demonstrate proficiency of a learning standard. ISBE will utilize the performance level descriptors to conduct a standard setting to present to the Board. Simultaneously, we will begin the process of modeling changes to the accountability system for each of you to provide feedback on.
And make no mistake: changing the rules so they’re fairer and more transparent is an all-hands-on-deck challenge. We will proceed thoughtfully, deliberately, and collaboratively. If we haven’t reached out to you already, rest assured that you’ll be hearing from us in the weeks and months to come. This process will take several years to complete.
Working together, we can ensure that Illinois’ students are equipped to make meaningful contributions to society and live life to their fullest potential. No matter what hurdles stand in our way.
All my best,
Tony
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NEW! 2024 ILLINOIS TEACHER OF THE YEAR COHORT
ISBE has announced the members of the 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year Cohort, including the 13 finalists for 2024 Illinois State Teacher of the Year. The annual Teacher of the Year program honors incredible classroom educators who have made lasting impacts on the students, families, and fellow educators in their school communities. ISBE will showcase cohort members in the Weekly Message each week leading up to the announcement of the 2024 Illinois State Teacher of the Year this spring. Congratulations to all this year’s extraordinary awardees!
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Sara Mendez
Bilingual Teacher of the Year
Monmouth-Roseville Junior High School, Monmouth-Roseville Community Unit School District 238
Sara Mendez is an eighth grade English language development teacher at Monmouth-Roseville Junior High School in Monmouth-Roseville Community Unit School District 238. She has taught English language development and bilingual curriculum to students in Grades 2 through 8 throughout the last 15 years. Her decision to become a teacher was inspired by her father, who immigrated to the United States from Mexico in the 1970s with very little money. Learning English and earning his GED empowered him to advance from a landscaper to the owner of a successful horticulture business.
Over the span of her career at Monmouth-Roseville, Ms. Mendez has watched the evolution of her region’s diversifying demographics and led the expansion of the district’s English learner (EL) programming from just a few minutes of English as a second language instruction a day to an entire department of co-taught bilingual classrooms. A landmark achievement of hers has been the introduction of a Cultural Experience project that teaches students what culture is, what components compose culture, and how global cultures have exacted long-term impact on each other over time. Students own this by researching and exploring their family cultures in parent interviews, asking questions rooted in each component of culture. Students then create a cultural profile that shows how their lives have been influenced by other cultures over time.
Sara is constantly working to expand further knowledge and expertise. She has completed Computer Science for Every Learner training and is currently working on completing Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling training to better understand how students learn to read. She also has spearheaded adding more service learning projects to the district’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers programming.
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NEW! COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
Register for Career Connections Conference
ISBE’s Career Connections Conference is a premier event that offers collaboration, innovation, and inspiration to educators throughout Illinois. The 2024 conference will be held from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 18 at the Tinley Park Convention Center. At Career Connections, educators come together to exchange ideas, share best practices, and foster meaningful connections with their peers. It is a space where the CTE community can engage in discussions and networking that enhance the quality of education and help to best prepare our students for successful futures.
We hope you will join hundreds of your fellow educators from across Illinois as they engage in a variety of breakout sessions and learn directly from an expert industry panel. Participants at last year’s Career Connection Conference stated the breakout sessions were timely and relevant; they appreciated the discussion with colleagues and the opportunity to network. This year will build on last year's success! Register for the Career Connections Conference. Group rates are available.
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FAFSA Resources for Students, Families, Educators, and Counselors
FAFSA completion is a graduation requirement in Illinois. Make sure to check studentaid.gov for regular updates on all things FAFSA®, including webinars, pro tips, and toolkits for students, families, educators, and counselors. Your students can visit the ISACorps webpage to find their local ISACorps member (a near-peer helper) and a list of community events.
More helpful resources:
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NEW! MULTILINGUAL/LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Regional EL Administrator Spring Training 2024
Coming soon to a region near you, Regional EL Administrator 2024 Spring Training! Learn or review the ins and outs of English learner programming, requirements, funding, and more. Attendance is strongly encouraged for EL program administrators of school districts that serve EL students. A school district can send one or two district staff members. This training is free to attend and is filling up quickly. You don’t want to miss this opportunity!
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NEW! NUTRITION
2024 School Nutrition Champion Award
Does your district have a dynamic food service director, a cashier who puts smiles on all the students’ faces, a super creative cook, or an administrative assistant who knows all the ins and outs of the School Nutrition Programs regulations? ISBE wants to hear about them! We are seeking nominations for the 2024 ISBE School Nutrition Champion Award. Anyone can nominate a K-12 school nutrition professional for the award. School nutrition professionals employed at public or private schools in Illinois with the National School Lunch Program are eligible for the award.
Nominate someone for the 2024 School Nutrition Champion Award by 5 p.m. April 15. One School Nutrition Champion will be selected but all nominees will be highlighted in The Outlook, our monthly newsletter for School Nutrition Programs in Illinois. The winner will be announced on May 3, which is School Lunch Hero Day. Meet last year’s award winners on ISBE’s School Nutrition and Wellness Champions webpage and all of the nominees in the May 2023 issue of The Outlook.
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NEW! TEACHING & LEARNING
Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan Update
We're thrilled to announce some great updates on the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan webpage! We have added a recorded webinar and presentation to the
“What’s New” section. Dive into these resources to enrich your understanding of literacy strategies and best practices.
Have questions? Check out the FAQ document for answers to common queries about literacy and how the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan impacts stakeholders.
Also, mark your calendars for our upcoming Office Hours sessions:
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11 a.m.-noon | April 2
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3-4 p.m. | April 10
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Noon-1 p.m. | April 18
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3-4 p.m. | April 24
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11 a.m.-noon | May 2
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3-4 p.m. | May 7
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Noon-1 p.m. | May 16
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3-4 p.m. | May 22
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Teacher Apprenticeship Pilot
ISBE, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, is excited to announce grant funding for a Teacher Apprenticeship Pilot. Public or private institutions of higher education approved by ISBE to offer educator preparation programs that lead to a Professional Educator License as a Learning Behavior Specialist I are eligible to apply. Eligible entities should have demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in administering teacher preparation programs directed toward workforce development. Applicants must partner with a public school district, consortium of schools, an early learning center, a special education cooperative, or a Regional Office of Education/Intermediate Service Center that demonstrates a shortage of Learning Behavior Specialist I teachers.
View Job Training and Economic Development - Teachers Apprenticeship Program Notice of Funding Opportunity or reach out to preparation@isbe.net for more information. You may also visit ISBE's apprenticeship webpage. Applications are due by 5 p.m. June 30.
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Computer Science Equity Grant
The new competitive Computer Science Equity Grant, which was enacted by Public Act 103-0264, is now available. The purpose of the grant is to create opportunities for K-12 learners to develop or enhance computer science skills through coordinated statewide professional learning. It will support efforts to improve equity outcomes and decrease accessibility issues to ensure all K-12 students in public school districts can engage in computer science learning.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)/Request for Proposals (RFP) sets forth requirements that apply to funding, renewal provisions, and rulemaking. The NOFO/RFP can be found on the Standards and Courses page, under the blue bar titled “Funding Opportunities.” Proposals are due by 5 p.m. April 4.
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LEARNING RENEWAL
Illinois Tutoring Initiative Report Reveals Remarkable Impact on Student Achievement
The latest report from the Illinois Tutoring Initiative (ITI) sheds light on the significant strides made in student achievement across the state. Data from 3,124 students was analyzed. The report showcases compelling evidence of the effectiveness of high-impact tutoring in closing learning gaps and fostering academic growth.
One of the key highlights of the report is the statewide achievement observed among tutored students compared to their non-tutored peers. The analysis revealed statistically significant higher scores in both reading and math, indicating the tangible benefits of the ITI program. Tutored students exhibited consistent growth in both reading and math, with an impressive 90% meeting or exceeding expected growth in math and approximately 80% in reading between fall 2022 and spring 2023. This consistent progress underscores the effectiveness of the ITI in supporting learning recovery efforts statewide.
Read more about the Illinois Tutoring Initiative in the recent report and press release.
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SAFE & HEALTHY CLIMATE
Measles Update for Daycares and Schools
Illinois was measles-free for three years, but there have been at least six confirmed cases in the past six months. In February, the Indiana Department of Health confirmed a case of measles in a young child from northwest Indiana who received medical care at three Chicago hospitals while contagious, exposing numerous individuals to the disease. This month, there was a second case of measles, this time in an older adult who had no identified source of infection but multiple community exposures during their infectious period, suggesting a concern for local transmission of measles. An additional Illinois case was confirmed last week in a young child from a new arrival shelter. That child has recovered and is no longer infectious. These incidents underscore the need to improve vaccination rates in our school-age populations. However, we are seeing a decline in measles vaccine coverage in school-age children -- nationally and in Illinois -- to a level below the 95% herd-immunity level needed for protection against measles.
Please see the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Measles Update for Daycares and Schools document for important information regarding the diagnosis, transmission, and treatment of measles.
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Virtual Training on K-12 School Safety Funding Opportunities
Join the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse at 2 p.m. on March 26 for a virtual training on federal school safety grants available to the K-12 community. Representatives from the U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice will provide overviews of open and upcoming funding opportunities, eligibility requirements and deadlines, and examples of past grantee projects to help interested applicants consider how these programs could be applied towards their own school safety efforts. Click on the “Reserve a spot” button on the K-12 School Safety Funding Opportunities webpage to register.
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Art Contest Winners Announced
Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Arts Education Week poster contest, sponsored by ISBE and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the Governor's Office. Visit our Arts Week webpage to learn more about each winner.
High School Division
Lillian Wang, 11th grade
Stevenson High School, Adlai Stevenson High School District 125
Middle School Division
Aisha Kochar, 6th grade
University of Chicago Lab Schools
Elementary School Division + Best in Show
Keziah Haynes, 5th grade
Prairie Oak Elementary School, Berwyn North 98
Early Learning School Division
Mai Claire Luunguyen, 1st grade
Westchester Primary School, Westchester School District 92.5
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SPECIAL EDUCATION
Late Liquidation ARP-IDEA Part B Request
The deadline to obligate American Rescue Plan (ARP) Part B IDEA Flow-Through (4998 ID), ARP Coordinated Early Intervening Services (4998 CE), or ARP IDEA Preschool (4998 PS) funds was Sept. 30, 2023. The deadline to liquidate funds was Jan. 28, 2024.
If funds were obligated by Sept. 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of Education can approve liquidation extension requests. Each grantee must submit a written request, in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.344(b), based upon specific obligation facts and circumstances. On behalf of grantees, ISBE may request an extension of up to 14 months beyond the automatic 120-day liquidation period, which would extend the liquidation period through March 31, 2025.
As a grantee, you are able to submit a request at this time. In order to request a liquidation extension please complete this survey by April 12. Completion of the survey will ensure review and submission of your extension request. If you have questions about the liquidation extension request process, please see ISBE’s ARP Part B IDEA Liquidation Extension Requests PowerPoint presentation for an overview. If you have questions about completing the survey, please contact Twylia Bennett at GrantsTeamReporting@isbe.net.
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Request for Proposals: Special Education Leadership Academy 2024-25 Administrator Academies
The Illinois Special Education Leadership Academy (SELA) is accepting proposals for the development of new Administrator Academies for the 2024-25 school year. Successful applicants will be paid $5,000 per proposal for completing, submitting, and making required revisions, if any, as well as conducting one presentation. There will be a $4,500 stipend paid upon approval; the remaining $500 will be paid after the SELA presentation.
Proposals are due April 1. View the Request for Proposal. Please send questions and submit proposals to Molly Dunne at mdunne@nsseo.org.
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IN BRIEF
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Educator Opportunities
Free Webinar on Strategies to Teach Fractions
Join REL Midwest on March 21 for a free webinar to gain strategies for teaching fractions and learn more about research-based professional development and resources offered through the Teaching Fractions Toolkit Partnership. The webinar will include time to interact with and discuss questions with the TFT Partnership leads. Register for Introducing the Teaching Fractions Toolkit Partnership via Zoom.
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Opportunities for Teachers to Grow their Leadership
Teach Plus Illinois will offer four fellowships for educators this fall:
Teach Plus Illinois’ programs are highly selective leadership opportunities for outstanding teachers looking to expand their influence without leaving the classroom. They span the 2024-25 school year and offer selected teachers a generous stipend for their time and effort.
For more information on these opportunities, please contact Kimberly Nguyen at knguyen@teachplus.org. Applications are due between April 7 and May 1, depending on the program.
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Surefire Strategies for Success Over Stress: The Professional Educator's Ultimate Survival Guide
During these difficult times, many educational professionals are struggling with a ton of unexpected stressors, such as unprecedented and unpredictable world events, trying to balance their work with their family’s needs, and dealing with the lingering new challenges in the classroom since the pandemic. Burnout among educational professionals can easily rear its ugly head under these circumstances. In this career-saving webinar, hosted by Ed Leaders Network at 3 p.m. March 27, Dr. Jack Singer will provide you with specific exercises for re-wiring your brain for maximum resilience and well-being.
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Featured ISBE Career Opportunities
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The Illinois State Board of Education is the State Education Agency for Illinois. Our mission is to provide each and every child with safe and healthy learning conditions, great educators, and equitable opportunities by practicing data-informed stewardship of resources and policy development, all done in partnership with educators, families, and stakeholders.
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