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October 16, 2024

The Early Learning Center at Oak Lawn – Hometown School District 123 celebrated World Smile Day last week by wearing yellow and smiling.

UNFILLED POSITIONS DATA COLLECTION

Dear Colleagues:

We are approaching the new, earlier deadline for one of the most important surveys of the year – the Unfilled Positions and Position Closures Data Collection. The deadline is Nov. 1. So far, about 53 percent of relevant entities have submitted their data, so thank you to all those districts!

Your responses will inform our advocacy in the General Assembly

next spring for the resources and flexibilities you need to address teacher shortages. Your data also determines your district’s eligibility for certain formula grants, such as the Teacher Vacancy Grant and the Elevating Educators Grant, and other recruitment and retention initiatives led by the state.

We are collaborating again this year with the Illinois Association of Regional School Superintendents (IARSS) to provide you, lawmakers, and stakeholders with a more complete understanding of Illinois’ educator workforce and staffing needs. ISBE will report the results of our data collection in conjunction with the Educator Shortage Survey conducted by IARSS, just as we did for the 2023-24 Educator Shortage Report, so please complete the IARSS Educator Shortage Survey as well. Both collections refer to staffing needs as of Oct. 1. Both collections close on Nov. 1.

It is really important that we have complete and timely participation. Even if your district has zero unfilled positions this year, you must still log into the Employment Information System and check the relevant box under the Unfilled Positions tab. This allows us to differentiate between a district that had zero unfilled positions and one that did respond, which is an essential distinction for data quality.

We know from the past several years of data that the teacher shortage does not affect all districts or students equally. We have many more vacancies in special education and bilingual education and in rural and urban areas. Your submissions provide us with the real numbers we and other policymakers need to quantify and understand the nuances of the teacher shortage, so we can advocate for and implement targeted solutions.

ISBE staff will start making calls and sending emails to districts that have not submitted their data yet, so please submit your data for the 2024-25 ISBE IWAS Unfilled Position Survey as soon as possible to avoid more friendly reminders.

Thank you for all that you do.

All my best,

Tony

UPCOMING ISBE DATES AND DEADLINES

Please note this is not a complete list of events, meetings, and deadlines. For more events and details, visit the ISBE Calendar webpage and the Data Collections Key Dates webpage.

Oct. 17 | 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: 2024 Illinois Student Assistance Commission College Access Symposium (Southern Illinois University Carbondale)

Oct. 17 | 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.: College & Career Pathway Endorsements Workshop 101 Jerseyville High School

Oct. 17 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Workshop: Unpacking IAR and ISA Results to Inform Instructional Practices (in person, Belleville)

Oct. 17 | 10 a.m.: Webinar: 2024 Report Card Open Forum

Oct. 17 | 10 a.m.: Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan Capacity Builders Webinar Series Session 1: Overview of the Series and Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan

Oct. 17 | 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.: College & Career Pathway Endorsements Workshop 201 Jerseyville High School

Oct. 17 | 3:30 p.m.: Webinar: The ACT With Writing Accommodations

Oct. 17 | 3:30 p.m.: Communicating Your Summative Designation

Oct. 18: Deadline to submit nominations for Thomas Lay Burroughs Award

Oct. 18: Deadline to submit Illinois State Flag designs

Oct. 18 | 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.: College & Career Pathway Endorsements Workshop 101 ROE #3/Galesburg

Oct. 18: 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.: College & Career Pathway Endorsements Workshop 201 ROE #3/Galesburg

Oct. 20: Deadline to nominate female-identifying and nonbinary high schoolers to the Illinois Council on Women and Girls’ Girls Committee

Oct. 20: Deadline for girls in Grades 5-12 to apply for the Illinois Council on Women and Girls’ Girls Lead Program

Oct. 21 | 9:30 a.m.: Webinar: Grant Writing 101– ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant

Oct. 22 | 2 p.m.: Webinar: Serve It Safely Food Handler Training

Oct. 23 | 11:59 p.m.: Deadline to submit request in writing and register for FY 2026 ISBE Budget Hearing on Oct. 28

Oct. 24 | 3:30 p.m.: Webinar: Grant Writing 101– ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant

Oct. 25 | 12:30-4 p.m.: Illinois Student Assistance Commission PaCE Training Part 1 (Heartland Community College, Normal)

Oct. 28 | 1-4 p.m.: FY 2026 ISBE Budget Hearing (virtual)

Oct. 29 | 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: 2024 Illinois Student Assistance Commission College Access Symposium (Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield)

Oct. 30 | 9 a.m.: Illinois Report Card updates with 2024-25 data

Oct. 30| 9:30-11:30 a.m.: Bookkeeper Workshop (ROE 17, Bloomington)

Oct. 31: Deadline to submit FY 2026 budget requests

Oct. 31: School district FY 2025 budget due to ISBE

Oct. 31 | 2 p.m.: Webinar: Preview of new BEACON Portal

Nov. 1 | 10 a.m.: Webinar: Preview of new BEACON Portal

Nov. 1 | 12:30-4 p.m.: Illinois Student Assistance Commission PaCE Training Part 1 (Southern Illinois University Carbondale)

Nov. 1: Unfilled Positions Data Collection due in EIS

Nov. 1: School-Level Finance Surveys due

Nov. 4 | 9:30 a.m.: Webinar: Grant Writing 101– ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant

Nov. 4 | 2 p.m.: Webinar: ISBE School Nutrition Programs Updates

Nov. 4 | 2 p.m.: Newly Designated School Webinar

Nov. 5: ISBE offices closed for General Election Day

Nov. 6: Deadline to order ACCESS test materials

Nov. 6 | 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: 2024 Illinois Student Assistance Commission College Access Symposium (Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills)

Nov. 6 | 9 a.m.: Newly Designated School Webinar

Nov. 6 | 3:30 p.m.: Webinar: The ACT With Writing Pre-Test Training

Nov. 7 |10 a.m.-Noon: Bookkeeper Workshop (ROE 24, Yorkville)

Nov. 8 | 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: 2024 Illinois Student Assistance Commission College Access Symposium (Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon)

Nov. 11: ISBE offices closed for Veterans Day

Nov. 14 | 10 a.m.: Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan Capacity Builders Webinar Series Session 2: Understanding Literacy Data

Nov. 14 | 3:30 p.m.: Webinar: Grant Writing 101– ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant

Nov. 14 | 4 p.m.: Deadline to apply for the Breakfast After the Bell Program

Nov. 15: Deadline to submit Annual Financial Report to ISBE. The ROE/ISC may grant an extension to these deadlines, not to extend past Dec. 15.

Nov. 15: Deadline to submit Limitation of Administrative Cost Worksheets to ISBE

Nov. 15: Deadline for schools to submit student immunization and health examination data to ISBE via IWAS

Nov. 15: 8th annual Mastering KIDS Summit

Nov. 15: Deadline to apply for Public School Districts’ Opioid Recovery Trust

Nov. 18 | 9:30 a.m.: Webinar: Grant Writing 101– ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant

Nov. 21 | 3:30 p.m.: Webinar: Grant Writing 101– ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant

Nov. 25 | 9:30 a.m.: Webinar: Grant Writing 101– ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant

Nov. 25 | 12:30-3:30 p.m.: Bookkeeper Workshop (ROE 50, Belleville)

Nov. 25 | 2 p.m.: FY 2025 Planning Year Grant Webinar

Nov. 26 | 9 a.m.: FY 2025 Planning Year Grant Webinar

Nov. 28-29: ISBE offices closed for Thanksgiving

Dec. 3 | 12:30-4 p.m.: Illinois Student Assistance Commission PaCE Training Part 2 (Heartland Community College, Normal)

Dec. 5 | 10 a.m.: Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan Capacity Builders Webinar Series Session 3: Making Sense of Data Overload

Dec. 6 | 12:30-4 p.m.: Illinois Student Assistance Commission PaCE Training Part 2 (Southern Illinois University Carbondale)

Dec. 9 | 9:30 a.m.: Webinar: Grant Writing 101– ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant

Dec. 12 | 3:30 p.m.: Webinar: Grant Writing 101– ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant

Dec. 15 | 4 p.m.: Deadline to submit FY 2025 Round 1 School Maintenance Project Grant applications to ROE/ISC

Dec. 15: Deadline to submit Annual Statement of Affairs to ISBE

Dec. 16 | 9:30 a.m.: Webinar: Grant Writing 101– ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant

Dec. 25: ISBE offices closed for Christmas

Dec. 26: Deadline to submit Certificate of Tax Levy to local county clerk

Dec. 31: Operational Funds Reserve Reduction Plan due to finance1@isbe.net

Dec. 31 | Noon: Deadline for ROE/ISC to submit FY 2025 Round 1 School Maintenance Project Grant applications to ISBE

Jan. 1, 2025: ISBE offices closed for New Year's Day

Jan. 22, 2025 | 3:30 p.m.: Webinar: PreACT 9 Secure and PreACT Secure Pre-Test Training

Jan. 23, 2025 | 10 a.m.: Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan Capacity Builders Webinar Series Session 4: Local Control and Data Utilization

Jan. 30, 2025 | 3:30 p.m.: Webinar: ACT Technical Readiness

Feb. 6, 2025 | 3:30 p.m.: Webinar: PreACT 9 Secure and PreACT Secure Test Day Training

Feb. 13, 2025 | 10 a.m.: Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan Capacity Builders Webinar Series Session 5: Evaluating Curriculum and Instructional Practices

Feb. 28-March 1: Illinois Teacher Leadership Summit

March 13, 2025 | 10 a.m.: Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan Capacity Builders Webinar Series Session 6: Key Literacy Strategies and Concepts

April 10, 2025 | 10 a.m.: Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan Capacity Builders Webinar Series Session 7: Assembling and Leading a Literacy Team

May 8, 2025 | 10 a.m.: Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan Capacity Builders Webinar Series Session 8: Monitoring Progress and Leveraging Resources

June 5, 2025 | 10 a.m.: Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan Capacity Builders Webinar Series Session 9: Revising and Sustaining Literacy Plan

June 17, 2025: 2025 ISBE Career Connections Conference

NEW! CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Elevating Career and Technical Education: Join Us at the 2025 ISBE Career Connections Conference

Don't miss ISBE’s premier Career and Technical Education (CTE) event of the year on June 17, 2025, at the Tinley Park Convention Center. This year’s theme, "The Path to Peak Performance in CTE," promises engaging discussions, networking with CTE leaders, and innovative strategies to empower students and strengthen our communities. Be part of the movement enhancing Illinois' education and workforce systems. Save the date and help us prepare the next generation to reach their potential. In addition, there will be a pre-conference held the afternoon of June 16, 2025, that will allow for more intensive content. Stay tuned for more information coming soon.

Grant Writing Webinars. Early Childhood Block Grant. Sessions October through December. Illustration of early childhood classroom.

NEW! EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Grant Writing 101 Webinars – ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant

Join ISBE for a Grant Writing 101 Webinar. This webinar will provide a greater understanding of government grants and tips on crafting strong proposals. While the session will focus on ISBE’s Early Childhood Block Grant program for entities outside the city of Chicago, other entities may find the information useful for crafting other grant proposals. Sessions are interactive, so please bring your questions.

Webinar Dates

Oct. 21 | 9:30 a.m.
Oct. 24 | 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 4 | 9:30 a.m.
Nov. 14 | 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 18 | 9:30 a.m.
Nov. 21 | 3:30 p.m.
Nov. 25 | 9:30 a.m.
Dec. 9 | 9:30 a.m.
Dec. 12 | 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 16 | 9:30 a.m.

Register for the "Grant Writing 101 Workshop – ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant" of your choice. Each workshop will cover the same material.

NEW! ELEVATING EDUCATORS

“The Answer is Teaching” Organic Social Media Toolkit for Teachers

ISBE recently launched a new marketing campaign called The Answer is Teaching. This campaign aims to recruit new teachers, especially bilingual and special education teachers, into the profession in Illinois. The greatest need is in rural and urban communities. The campaign already has drawn inquiries from thousands of prospective teachers!

We are asking teachers statewide to share their experiences in an effort to reach our campaign goals. We hope teachers' personal stories will inspire others to become teachers and take advantage of the many benefits of being a teacher in Illinois.

In this new Social Media Toolkit for Teachers, teachers will find sample copy, graphics, and ideas for social media content to help share why they became a teacher with their network and community. All materials will direct anyone interested to the campaign website – BecomeATeacher.com – where they can sign up to receive more information to assist them on their journey to becoming a teacher.

Illinois needs teachers more than ever, and our state is a great place to teach and help shape the lives of our young people. We hope you will share these resources in English and Spanish with your teachers to spread the word about this campaign and identify prospective teachers throughout the state.

Thank you for your partnership!

NEW! FINANCE

Bookkeeper Workshops

The Bookkeeper Workshop will provide fundamental knowledge and skills for bookkeepers. The workshop will cover A Basic Bookkeeper Guide, which outlines daily, weekly, and monthly tasks and why these are important for financial purposes. Other topics will include Illinois Accounting Rules - Part 100; Fund Transfers, Cash Flows and Workbook Review; State Budget Form (review of how to complete); Annual Statement of Affairs; Grant Expenditure Reporting and Due Dates; and the Financial Reimbursement Information System Inquiry.

Register for the Bookkeeper Workshop that best fits your location and schedule.

Deadline Reminders for Financial Documents

School District Budget – Oct. 31
School districts should have adopted their fiscal year 2024 budget no later than Sept. 30. The School District Budget Form (ISBE 50-36), in Excel format, must be submitted to ISBE no later than Oct. 31 through IWAS - School District Financial Reports found under Reporting - Annual. Additional information can be found on the ISBE School District Budget webpage.

Annual Financial Report – Nov. 15
School districts and joint agreements must have their Annual Financial Report (AFR) completed, signed, and submitted to their Regional Office of Education (ROE) or Intermediate Service Center (ISC), as applicable, by Oct. 15. The ROE/ISC must sign the AFR (ISBE 50-35/50-60) and remit it to ISBE no later than Nov. 15. The school district or joint agreement’s auditor must also submit the AFR, in Excel format, no later than Nov. 15 through IWAS. The ROE/ISC may grant an extension to these deadlines, not to extend past Dec. 15. Additional information can be found on the ISBE Annual Financial Report webpage.

Limitation of Administrative Cost Worksheets – Nov. 15
Section 17-1.5 of the School Code requires school districts to limit the growth of certain administrative expenditures to a maximum of 5 percent from one fiscal year to the next. School districts must file the Limitation of Administrative Costs Worksheet with ISBE’s School Business Services Department by Nov. 15. A blank Limitation of Administrative Costs Worksheet, quartile rankings for all school districts, and a sample waiver resolution for qualifying districts can be found on the ISBE Limitation of Administrative Costs webpage. The Limitation of Administrative Costs Worksheet is included within AFR, and the worksheet may be submitted to ISBE in conjunction with the AFR. Alternatively, the completed and signed worksheet may be sent as an attachment to finance1@isbe.net.

Annual Statement of Affairs – Dec. 15
School districts and joint agreements must complete an Annual Statement of Affairs (ASA) and publish an ASA summary in a newspaper of general circulation no later than Dec. 1. School districts and joint agreements must also annually submit the entire Annual Statement of Affairs (ISBE 50-37) electronically to ISBE by Dec. 15. The ASA, in Excel format, must be submitted to ISBE through IWAS - School District Financial Reports found under Reporting - Annual. Copies of the ASA should be retained in the school district or joint agreement administrative office. The ASA form and instructions, along with additional publishing and submission information, can be found on the ISBE Annual Statement of Affairs webpage.

Certificate of Tax Levy – Dec. 26
School districts must submit a certified Certificate of Tax Levy (ISBE 50-02) to their county clerk(s) on or before the last Tuesday in December. Do not submit the Certificate of Tax Levy to ISBE. The Certificate of Tax Levy form can be found on the ISBE Certificate of Tax Levy webpage. If you have any questions, please contact 217-785-8779 or finance1@isbe.net.

Make Yourself Heard! Budget Hearings FY 2026. October 28 1-4pm virtual.

FY 2026 Budget Hearings

ISBE wants school leaders, classroom teachers, parents, and community advocates to tell us what investments would make a difference for their students. ISBE is accepting FY 2026 budget requests for public education until Oct. 31. Past requests have led to ISBE advocating for increased investments in Evidence-Based Funding, early childhood education, and CTE programs.

In addition to the request forms, ISBE has one final public hearing scheduled to receive testimony. The hearing is coming up soon, on Oct. 28. Anyone providing testimony must submit a budget request form before registering for a hearing. Please note that ISBE will give equal consideration to written and oral testimony.

More information on ISBE’s budgeting process is available on the Agency Budget Information webpage.

Grants Available for Breakfast After the Bell Program. Apply by 4 p.m. Nov. 14. Illustration of oatmeal with blueberries.

NEW! NUTRITION

Apply for a Breakfast After the Bell Program Grant

ISBE is seeking grant applications for the Breakfast After the Bell Program. This program is open to public schools in Illinois. School districts, charter schools, and ROEs are eligible. In addition, an entity must be eligible and approved to operate federal School Nutrition Programs. Grant awards are up to $7,000 per each eligible school.

The Illinois Breakfast After the Bell Grant Program supports implementation of Breakfast After the Bell service models in schools to make school breakfast more accessible to students.

Visit the Breakfast After the Bell Grant Program website to read the Request for Proposals and to apply. The application deadline is 4 p.m. Nov. 14.

NEW! SPECIAL EDUCATION

Qualified Interpreting and Translation Requirements

The guidance document on Qualified Interpreting and Translation Requirements has been updated. View the document on the ISBE Laws, Regulations, and Guidance webpage under “Educational Interpreters.”

NEW! STANDARDS & INSTRUCTION

Beware of Curriculum Vendors Using ISBE’s Logo Without Permission

ISBE is reminding districts that the agency does not endorse specific curricula; therefore, any vendor using our logo or purporting to be approved or endorsed by ISBE to offer literacy – or any other – curriculum is doing so without permission. There is no mandate in legislation for districts to utilize the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan. Rather, the plan serves as a roadmap to enhance and unify core literacy instruction efforts statewide. Please take advantage of the Curriculum Evaluation Tool to ensure prospective curriculum aligns with best literacy practices, fostering optimal learning experiences for students.

NEW! WELLNESS & STUDENT CARE

New FAQs on BEACON

The Illinois Children's Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative’s FAQ document answers the most commonly asked questions about BEACON, the state’s new online portal designed to help Illinois families connect to behavioral health resources. Get an overview of BEACON and its key features in the introductory video.

Superintendents, please be sure your school counselors, school social workers, and special education administrators sign up for the BEACON overview webinars at 2 p.m. Oct. 31 or 10 a.m. Nov. 1. They should have received an email from ISBE with a direct link to register for the webinar. Chief Officer for Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Dr. Dana Weiner will provide them with a first look at the new portal and share how it can help them better support students and families.

Online course! RNs in Schools - Expanding Your Special Education Role. Image of training on laptop.

Nurses Expanding Their Role on the Team for Special Education

Who performs a Medical Review for your students? ISBE is sponsoring an upcoming online course titled “RNs in Schools – Expanding Your Special Education Role,” which is designed for districts with nurses who meet the minimum education requirements (bachelor’s degree in nursing, education, or a related field).

Special education cooperatives and districts may request a non-PEL RN to take this course to be compliant with Special Education Rule 226.160. They should complete the Non-PEL IEP Designee Administrator Checklist for use at the local level.
- District administrators or special education cooperatives may request that nurses who are established in a district before September of 2024 participate in the session available Oct. 30-Dec. 17.
- A limited number of seats are available for the asynchronous course. Participation in this course is best for individuals who have worked in a school setting for 4-12 months. Previous participants report allowing 10-12 hours per week for all course commitments, with it necessary to be online every one or two days.
Complete the Request for IEP Designation Form. Once the request is received, you will get a confirmation email from Rebecca Doran, ISBE school nurse consultant, for details about next steps.

Contact schoolnurse@isbe.net if you have additional questions.

ILLINOIS STUDENT ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

Join ISAC for the 2024 College Access Symposium

Attend the upcoming 2024 College Access Symposium to learn how high schools and organizations across the state are supporting students to become postsecondary and career ready — particularly by learning how financial aid plays a critical role in postsecondary success. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) also will share the latest news on the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®), which is anticipated to be available to the public on or before Dec. 1, 2024.

The one-day event is offered from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on four dates and convenient locations.

Thursday, Oct. 17, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Tuesday, Oct. 29, Lincoln Land Community College
Wednesday, Nov. 6, Moraine Valley Community College
Friday, Nov. 8, Sauk Valley Community College

Advance registration is required. ISAC encourages everyone to register as soon as possible, as space is limited. Registration for the symposium is $25 (plus fees) and includes continental breakfast and lunch.

Register Now for Half-Day PaCE Trainings

Register now for the half-day trainings on the Illinois Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) Framework. This training is free to attend, and registration is open to school counselors, administrators, college and career staff, and others who support students to be college and career ready. The trainings will include time to collaborate with your team and ISAC.

Heartland Community College (Normal)
- Part 1: Oct. 25, 12:30-4 p.m.
- Part 2: Dec. 3, 12:30-4 p.m.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (Carbondale)
- Part 1: Nov. 1, 12:30-4 p.m.
- Part 2: Dec. 6, 12:30-4 p.m.

Visit the ISAC Professional Development Calendar to find more information and to register. Contact isac.pace@illinois.gov if you have questions. Professional development and continuing education hours will be available to attendees.

ISAC Offers Free Help With FAFSA Completion

ISAC has free virtual help available for students in your community who might need assistance completing the FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. It’s important for students currently in college or who might be planning on it for the 2024-25 school year to know that it's not too late to get their financial aid application submitted! And, of course, once the 2025-26 FAFSA launches, ISAC will be there to provide free assistance with that as well.

Students can book a virtual one-on-one meeting with an ISACorps staff member. They can book a virtual meeting up to seven days in advance, and there's an option to meet with a Spanish-speaking ISACorps member if they prefer. Please share this link with colleagues in your network and community.

Help ISAC spread the word about virtual meeting options for students and families to complete their financial aid applications!

IN BRIEF

Educator Recognition

Nominate a K-12 Educator for LifeChanger of the Year

The LifeChanger of the Year is a national recognition program that honors K-12 public school educators and employees annually. Since 2011, it has recognized more than 8,000 educators in all 50 states and awarded nearly $800,000 to K-12 teachers and school employees. Every nominee is eligible to win a cash prize up to $10,000 to share with their school. Learn more about the program and make a nomination on the LifeChanger of the Year website.

Educator Opportunities

Federal Financial Aid Virtual Bootcamp

Federal Student Aid (FSA) is hosting a free one-day federal financial aid virtual webinar series on Oct. 23. The sessions are geared toward students, parents, and college access professionals, and will provide an opportunity to ask questions.

Federal Financial Aid Virtual Bootcamp Agenda

Noon: Getting Started With a StudentAid.gov Account
2 p.m.: Ways to Pay for College
5 p.m.: FAFSA^®Resources and How to Avoid Financial Aid Scams

Register for the Federal Financial Aid Virtual Bootcamp.

Combat Hate: A Digital Media Literacy Workshop. Mobile Museums of Tolerance. Video icon.

Mobile Museum of Tolerance Provides Free Digital Media Literacy Workshop

“Combat Hate: A Digital Media Literacy Workshop” teaches students to identify hate speech on social media, analyze manipulation and disinformation tactics, and curate a positive digital footprint. Students will leave feeling empowered to combat online hate through education, informed action, and digital control for years to come. “Combat Hate” is in alignment with Illinois Grades 9-12 Media Literacy Standards and has been adapted for Grades 4-8.

Learn more and book the “Combat Hate” classroom-based workshop for your school on the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Mobile Museum of Tolerance website.

U S. Department of Education Power Your Future Challenge

The U.S. Department of Education has launched the Power Your Future Challenge — the second challenge in its annual CTE Momentum series to prepare high school students for rewarding careers and increase access to career and technical education. The department invites teams to submit action plans that will advance the use of clean energy in local schools and communities.

Teachers and community partners can get started on the challenge exploring the available resources to learn more about clean energy and how teams can develop action plans to impact their communities. Potential entrants also can preview the submission form. Submissions are due by Nov. 19. Up to 10 winning teams will receive an equal share of the $50,000 prize pool.

Watch the virtual information session and sign up to receive the latest challenge information To learn more about the challenge.

Student Opportunities

Holiday Card Volunteer Project

Serve Illinois is looking to recruit thousands of volunteers across Illinois to bring joy and cheer by writing personalized messages of hope and inspiration. This campaign is designed to address social isolation and loneliness that can be experienced during the holiday season.

Specialty-designed cards will be provided to those who would like to write uplifting messages and distribute them to older adults in their community. This is a great project for families, communities, organizations, schools, faith-based institutions, and others who would like to bring comfort and joy this holiday season! Sign up for the Holiday Card Volunteer Project by Nov. 5.

Featured ISBE Career Opportunities

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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