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APRIL 29, 2025
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Dear Colleagues:
Yesterday, as you likely heard, a vehicle crashed through an after-school program killing four children and injuring six more. I have been in contact with Superintendent Dr. Becca Laymon, as well as superintendents from the region, who are all offering support from their communities, including mental health resources. For our friends in Ball Chatham CUSD 5, please know we are all here for you.
In speaking to my longtime friend, Dr. Jennifer Gill, superintendent of Springfield Public School District 186, this morning, I recalled the protocol that pilots use when facing emergencies: 1) aviate, 2) navigate, 3) communicate. It’s important to keep the plane in the air first and foremost. Once the plane is stabilized, then navigate ... figure out where you need to go. Finally, communicate (in the case of pilots, to air traffic control). All too often, we want to reverse those steps and communicate first.
As we see being heroically displayed in Chatham right now, part of our job description that is oftentimes unwritten is caring for the mental health of our students and staff. As administrators, you likely have school- or district-wide goals that pertain to improving social-emotional learning (SEL), strengthening culture, or enhancing safety and belonging. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I want to spend a moment focusing on a new tool that can help you reach such goals.
It’s called Resilience-Supportive Schools Illinois or RSSI, and it’s the evolution of a program we launched at the height of the pandemic in 2020 -- the Resilience Education to Advance Community Healing (REACH) Initiative, which was created in partnership with the Center for Childhood Resilience at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Peoria Regional Office of Education 4. Whereas REACH focuses on trauma-responsiveness, RSSI recognizes that each school has unique needs in the areas of trauma-responsiveness, social and emotional learning, mental health, or cultural responsiveness and therefore requires unique tools. Nearly 400 Illinois schools piloted RSSI during the 2024-25 school year and showed improvements in teacher retention, absenteeism, and out-of-school suspensions. You can get started with joining RSSI for the 2025-26 school year by completing a 15-minute survey, which RSSI will combine with data from your Illinois Report Card and 5Essentials Survey to create a data snapshot of your school’s strengths and opportunities for growth. This initial survey is available in IWAS and should be completed by your school principal.
Once your snapshot is taken, you can access RSSI’s virtual supports through its web platform, plus in-person support through the SEL Hubs to help create trauma-responsive and healing-centered schools, with:
Last, but not least, I’ll also remind you to be kind to yourselves and safeguard your own mental health and well-being. Sometimes you have to take time off and climb an actual mountain to be able to climb the many mountains our jobs entail.
All my best,
Tony
Dr. Tony Sanders
State Superintendent of Education
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NEW! DATA, ACCOUNTABILITY & ASSESSMENT
Check Your Data Webinar
There are multiple metrics on the Report Card and in summative designations, so knowing what it means to "check your data" is no easy task. This session will explain how data is organized in various data systems and provide best practices for checking data, including which reports to pull in what systems. Important ISBE systems of record -- including the Student Information System (SIS), the Entitly Profile System (EPS), the IEP-Student Tracking and Reporting (I-Star) system, the Employment Information System (EIS), and the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) -- will be reviewed in detail. We will highlight resources and documentation for these systems and showcase data review systems like the Data Quality Dashboard 2.0 and the Data Review and Verification Tool (DRVT).
This session is perfect for those who are new in their roles or want to deepen their data literacy or familiarity with ISBE's systems of record.
Multiple dates and times offered - Register now!
- May 8 from 3-5 p.m.
- May 21 from 8-10 a.m.
- June 3 from 2-4 p.m.
- June 20 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- July 8 from 9-11 a.m.
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Join us at the Final Three Assessment & Accountability Listening
Tour Stops!
The Illinois State Board of Education is engaging stakeholders in the redesign of its system of assessment, accountability, and statewide support. ISBE invites administrators, educators, and other stakeholders to preview and give us your feedback on possible accountability models and on assessment performance level descriptors that will lay the foundation for new proficiency benchmarks. Join us for the final three stops on our statewide listening tour!
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NEW! EDUCATOR EFFECTIVENESS
KEEP Illinois Research Study - Defining Educator Compensation Survey
The Illinois P-20 Network is conducting a statewide study of educators (early childhood through high school) through May 7 to explore their thoughts on compensation. This study builds off The Road to Retention, which offered four recommendations to better engage educators throughout their careers and to improve retention. Those recommendations included:
- Compensation,
- Teacher leadership,
- Professional development,
- Coaching,
- Co-teaching,
- Culture,
- Working conditions, and
- Wellness.
This study seeks more information directly from educators of all types, including licensed teachers, clinicians, and administrators as well as paraprofessionals, across all levels and across the state. This survey is anonymous and completely voluntary, can be completed in as little as five minutes, and may inform both local and statewide conversations about educator compensation.
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NEW! INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Final Stops on the IWAS to MyISBE Listening Tour
Join ISBE Chief Information Officer Edobor Efam to give your feedback about the ISBE Web Application Security (IWAS) system as the agency plans a refresh of the portal to enhance its features and make it easier to navigate and more user-friendly. We want to hear from school and district administrators, regional superintendents, and other users of IWAS about your pain points, concerns, and ideas.
We’re also giving IWAS a new name: MyISBE! With MyISBE, the days of multiple accounts, static data, and unverified account information are over. MyISBE will provide real-time data and dashboards, multi-factor authentication, and single sign-on.
All events are from 1-3 p.m. Please RSVP at isbe.eventbrite.com.
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NEW! LEADERSHIP
Unlocking Our Students' Math Potential
Join Dr. Tony Sanders for an exciting virtual Fireside Chat with Shalinee Sharma at 9 a.m. May 15. They will discuss how to unlock our students’ math potential!
Ms. Sharma is a math expert and is the CEO and co-founder of Zearn, a nonprofit educational organization behind the top-rated math learning platform used by one in four elementary school students and 1 million middle school students nationwide. She also authored the national bestseller, "Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math.” Sharma serves on the Braven Board of Directors, is a Pahara-Aspen Fellow, and serves as co-chair of the President’s Advisory Council on the College at Brown University. As a mom of twins, Sharma is passionate about universal access to an excellent education.
Register for the Fireside Chat with Shalinee Sharma.
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NEW! NUTRITION
IDHS Announces Summer EBT Benefits
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) recently announced that Summer EBT benefits will be issued to families for summer 2025 starting in May. Each eligible school-aged child will receive a one-time benefit of $120. The Summer EBT program aims to provide essential support to low-income children during the summer months, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals.
Most eligible households will receive benefits automatically, but some households will need to apply. Families can complete the screener to see if their children already qualify on the Illinois Summer EBT Portal webpage.
Summer EBT issuances are planned for May 19-26 for children who are automatically enrolled. Families will receive Summer EBT benefits on existing LINK cards if they already receive electronic benefits. Families without existing cards will be sent one in the mail.
If the child or children do not automatically qualify, review the eligibility requirements, and submit an application on the Illinois Summer EBT Portal webpage. Applications are due by Aug. 13.
Visit the IDHS Summer EBT webpage for more information about Summer EBT benefits.
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SNP Annual Application Available in WINS
The School Nutrition Programs (SNP) application for school year 2025-26 is available in the Web-Based Illinois Nutrition System (WINS). Sponsor applications are due June 30.
The application is an annual requirement for all sponsors to participate in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, After School Snack Program, Special Milk Program, and Illinois Free Lunch and Illinois Breakfast. Please note that if you are participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, this annual application is still necessary to finalize participation plans in the meal programs for the upcoming school year.
Instructions, webinar recording and PDF slides, and other resources for the annual application are posted on the ISBE Nutrition webpage. All sponsors should first view a recorded training and presentations slides, as there are new steps in the application and some of the information has changed for program year 2026.
SUMMER MEALS: For those operating the Seamless Summer Option (SSO), there are extended application instructions available, as well as a recommend introductory training on SSO:
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NEW! SAFE & HEALTHY CLIMATE
Indoor Air Quality Resources for Schools
ISBE is providing a list of resources to support indoor air quality (IAQ) improvements in schools, as outlined in Public Act 103-0736. The Compiled Resources on Indoor Air Quality, developed in consultation with the Illinois Department of Public Health and IAQ professionals, offers resources with practical guidance to aid school administrators with assessing and maintaining ventilation systems, as well as funding opportunities that may help address ventilation needs.
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NEW! STANDARDS & INSTRUCTION
Illinois Comprehensive Numeracy Plan Needs Assessment Surveys
Inspired by the success of our Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan, the Illinois State Board of Education is kicking off a statewide effort to develop an Illinois Comprehensive Numeracy Plan — uniformed guidance aimed at boosting student learning in math by supporting high-quality, evidence-based mathematics instruction. Our first step is to seek input from educators like YOU via the Numeracy Plan Needs Assessment Survey. Sharing your perspective allows you to play a key role in shaping the future of mathematics education and ensures that the plan reflects the needs and priorities of educators across Illinois. Take the survey for:
ISBE will use the results of the survey to inform its invitation-only Numeracy Summit this summer with state and national experts. The survey is open through May 7. Visit ISBE's Standards and Instructions webpage to learn more about the statewide numeracy plan.
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Join Us for Session 2 of Literacy, Listen, & Learn!
ISBE and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invite you to continue the Literacy, Listen, & Learn series. The upcoming session, "Resisting Monolingual Perspectives of Multilingualism with Translanguaging," will feature Dr. Rebecca Linares, associate professor of Critical Literacy, Technology, and Multilingual Education at Rowan University. Join us on at 4 p.m. May 1 via Zoom. Registration is now open.
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Making Sense of Three-Dimensional Teaching & Learning
The National Science Teaching Association and Regional Office of Education 47, in conjunction with ISBE, are offering three free in-person professional development opportunities for K-12 science educators.
These full-day immersive workshops will take place on:
- June 3 at the University of Illinois Springfield
- June 9 at Heartland Community College in Normal
- June 16 at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon
The sessions will focus on enhancing understanding and application of three-dimensional, phenomenon-driven teaching and learning using OpenSciEd curricular materials. Participants will explore key instructional shifts required by the Next Generation Science Standards and similar standards; deepen their knowledge of high-quality, three-dimensional science instruction; and engage with OpenSciEd materials and instructional routines, which are adaptable across grade levels. The workshops will provide practical strategies for immediate classroom use, making them valuable for both experienced users of OpenSciEd and those new to three-dimensional learning.
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FY 2025 District Literacy Plan Implementation Grant Now Available
Illinois public school districts and Regional Offices of Education/ Intermediate Service Centers have been allocated funding to support the creation, revision, and implementation of local literacy plans. The FY 2025 District Literacy Plan Implementation Grant helps enhance literacy instruction and expand access to high-quality interventions. Funding use is flexible to meet your district's unique literacy needs. Apply now in IWAS! Entities that do not submit an application by April 30 will be at risk for deobligation of funds.
Application Requirements
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Submit the fiscal year 2025 District Literacy Plan Implementation Grant application in IWAS.
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Complete the District Literacy Plan Survey in IWAS (required). This survey collects your local literacy plan and must be completed within the grant year (indicate a future target completion date within the grant year in the application if needed).
Eligibility and Grant Allocations
Funding amounts were determined by a formula, based on district student enrollment. Entities with allocations are eligible to apply.
GATA Requirements
Applicants must meet Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) requirements, including pre-qualification registration and risk assessments.
Office Hours
Join our office hours to get your questions answered directly by the ISBE Literacy Team.
Contact
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NEW! WELLNESS & STUDENT CARE
Anticipated FY 2026 After School Programs - Non-School
Districts Grant
Pending Board approval, the FY 2026 After School Programs – Non-School Districts (ASP - Non-LEA) Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) is expected to be released electronically in the ISBE IWAS system soon.
Eligible applicants must submit an Intent to Apply (ITA) to access the IWAS system by June 6. We cannot guarantee that entities who submit the ITA after this date will be able to complete the preparations needed to access the RFP in IWAS.
- The ITA form must be completed before a proposal can be submitted in response to the RFP.
- Submission of the ITA does not obligate an entity to apply for the grant through the RFP.
- Similarly, submission of the ITA does not guarantee eligibility for or award of the grant.
- All applicants, including entities that have previously been awarded an ASP - Non-LEA Grant, must complete an ITA.
- Applicant entities must also meet all eligibility requirements and submit a proposal in accordance with the requirements outlined in the RFP, once available.
Pending Board approval, eligible applicants will be entities that are not school districts or Local Education Agencies. These include, but are not limited to, Regional Offices of Education; Intermediate Service Centers; community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations; or Indian tribes or tribal organizations (as defined in the federal Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act).
Each applicant must propose to serve a population of students that is at least 90% low-income. This requirement will be satisfied by meeting at least one of the following criteria:
- The applicant proposes to serve only schools with a population of students that is at least 90% low-income. All school sites the applicant proposes to serve must meet this minimum threshold. A population of low-income students is determined by a school’s FY 2025 Free and Reduced-Price Meal Eligibility Data. Please review the FY 2025 school-level data on the ISBE Child Nutrition Data Analytics and Mapping Tools webpage.
- The applicant may propose to serve one or more schools with a population of low-income students that is less than 90% low-income, but in this case must provide an assurance that the population of students it will serve from the school (or schools) will be at least 90% low-income and must explain how student eligibility will be determined without violating state or federal student privacy laws. Students who meet the income requirements of the School Breakfast and Lunch Program Act [105 ILCS 125] or any other public benefit program based on income and homeless children and youth as defined in Section 11434a of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. 11434a] shall be classified as low-income for the purpose of determining program eligibility. At no time shall a school or district disclose names of students eligible for free or reduced-priced meals.
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Make Fitness Count: Submit Your FitnessGram Data!
Let’s keep Illinois students moving! All public schools serving Grades 3–12 participate in FitnessGram, an annual fitness assessment designed to promote healthy habits, track progress, and improve student wellness.
Important Reminder: FitnessGram reporting is required for the 2024–25 school year. This marks the second consecutive year reporting has been mandatory following the pandemic -- it’s here to stay.
Schools must submit results electronically for Grades 5, 7, and 10 via the ISBE IWAS system by June 30. Don’t miss out! Submitting your data helps drive stronger wellness programs and better student outcomes across the state.
Need support? Check out the IWAS User Guide.
Why it matters:
- Students gain awareness of their personal fitness and health.
- Parents get insight into their child’s physical wellness.
- Educators receive valuable data to enhance PE programs.
Let’s raise the bar on reporting in 2024–25. Together, we can make Illinois one of the fittest states in the country! Visit the ISBE Enhanced Physical Education Resources page for more information.
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2024 ILLINOIS TEACHER OF THE YEAR
New ISBE Podcast: ‘We Can Do It Differently'
“Some of us come into teaching because we always loved school. Some of us come into teaching because we didn't love school, and we want to change something about it.”
That’s a glimpse into Dr. Rachael Mahmood’s journey. With a Russian Jewish mother and an Indian Hindu dad, Rachael never felt like she fit in when she was a child attending school. That experience fueled her desire to become an educator.
Dr. Mahmood is now wrapping up her term as our 2024 Illinois State Teacher of the Year. In the latest episode of ISBE’s We Love Illinois Schools Podcast, you’ll hear how she came to view her heritage as a way to be a “connector,” and how educators can make all students feel like they fit.
“We can do it differently,” Dr. Mahmood says. “We can do it better than the experience that we've had.”
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CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION
New CTE Teacher Training Webinar: Ways to Assess Your Lesson
and Planning
As the school year winds down, it is essential for new CTE teachers to reflect on their experiences, identifying successes, areas for improvement, and elements that may need adjustment. Join us at 11 a.m. May 6 for the New CTE Teacher Workshop: Ways to Assess Your Lesson and Planning webinar designed to guide educators through this reflective process. During the session, we will analyze what went well and what challenges arose throughout the year; explore strategies for evaluating, refining, and reteaching CTE units; and plan and strategize lessons and units for the upcoming school year. The deadline to register is May 5. Attendees will earn one professional development hour.
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FINANCE
FY 2026 EBF Data Sets Available for Review
ISBE is in the process of finalizing data that will be utilized in the fiscal year 2026 Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) calculations. These data sets are posted on the EBF Distribution page in the Data Sets dropdown. The following data sets have been posted and are available for review.
District administrators are encouraged to review their data now through May to ensure accuracy prior to EBF calculations being completed. EBF utilizes over 17,000 unique variables; corrections made by one district may result in changes to all districts’ results.
Contact SFF@isbe.net or 217-782-0249 if you have any questions.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION
Third Annual Autism Conference
Mark your calendars for the third annual Autism Conference on April 30. The conference will be packed with powerful speakers, practical strategies, and the voices that matter most. You’ll walk away inspired, informed, and empowered to make a meaningful difference — in the classroom, at home, and beyond. Register to attend the Autism Conference virtually. In-person tickets for the event at Illinois State University are sold out.
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IN BRIEF
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Student Opportunities
Makers on the Move Bus Design Contest
The Illinois Manufacturers Association and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center are hosting a design contest for the Makers on the Move 45-foot charter bus wrap. This contest is open to Illinois students of all ages! Winners of the contest will not only have their design featured on the bus for the entire weeklong, statewide tour, but you will also win the offer for the bus to stop at their school! Interested students must complete the interest form to get more information. Designs are due May 9.
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Educator Opportunities
Share Your Voice on Computer Science Education in Illinois
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Institute for Advancing Computing Education, with funding from Expanding Computing Education Pathways Illinois, are conducting a short survey help understand the current landscape of K-12 computer science (CS) education in the state.
Your insights will inform efforts to support educators like you, your students, and your school(s) in expanding CS learning opportunities through legislation, resources, and more. Please consider completing the survey -- whether or not your region, district, or school currently offers computer science. Survey results will be shared in a report published later this year.
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Combat Hate: A Free Digital Media Literacy Workshop
Can your students spot identity-based hate online? If they spot it, do they know what actions to take? If not, the Mobile Museum of Tolerance’s “Combat Hate” may be the solution.
“Combat Hate: A Digital Media Literacy Workshop” empowers 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.
The workshop is in alignment with Illinois’ Grades 9-12 Media Literacy Standards and has been adapted for Grades 5-8 as well. Request your “Combat Hate” workshop for school year 2026.
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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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