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MAY 20, 2025
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ISBE celebrated excellence in education at the 51st Annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet on May 17 in Bloomington-Normal. Pictured with Dr. Sanders is the English Language Arts Department team at Conrady Junior High School in North Palos School District 117. The team – Corrine Dempsey, Nikki McDougal, Adie McHugh, and Shurook Abdeljaber – received an Award of Special Recognition.
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Dear Colleagues:
I’m still enjoying the emotional high from our banquet on Saturday night, honoring recipients of the 2025 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year awards. It’s probably my favorite event of the year because the celebration, food, and awards allow us to – in some small way – give educators a token of the appreciation and gratitude you all deserve.
I have had the privilege of attending several of these celebrations and have noticed that one theme we consistently hear in our guest speakers’ remarks centers on the transformative power of teachers who ensure that their students “feel seen and heard.” When you’re one student in a classroom of 25, it can be pretty easy to let yourself believe that you’re overlooked. But we know that every student has unique talents, a promising future, and a valuable perspective to share.
ISBE has a great way for students to be seen and heard at the highest level – through our Student Advisory Council (SAC). If you have students who are passionate about having a positive impact on education or simply want to learn more about government and public service, please encourage them to apply for our 2025-26 Student Advisory Council. We are accepting applications through June 30. Students who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in a charter or public school next year are eligible to apply via Submittable. Applicants will need to answer essay questions, provide personal and demographic information, and, if they’re under 18, have written consent from a parent or guardian. You can learn more about SAC on our Student Voices webpage.
The SAC, which dates all the way back to 1975, brings together a diverse group of young leaders from across the state and provides them with an opportunity to build advocacy and leadership skills. SAC members meet with stakeholders, policymakers, and community partners to brainstorm and research their ideas, and then shape them into recommendations that could make meaningful change in our education systems. The process culminates in a presentation to our full Board.
The 2024-25 SAC presented on four topics last week. The first concerned the impact of social media on student mental health, and the students recommended a nearly cost-free student-led initiative that would provide students with accurate information about how social media may be affecting them. The second topic was education options, and the group used a survey and research to propose a more holistic approach for course options, such as less reliance on standardized tests and more openness to demonstrated interest. The third group focused on student engagement and proposed implementing one non-instruction day per school year to foster classroom connections. The fourth group addressed curriculum and resources and advocated for schools to offer students opportunities to provide feedback on materials. You can view their presentations on our YouTube channel, beginning at the 17:20 mark.
I think I speak for most of us when I say that students – and the perspectives we had about school when we ourselves were students – are the reason we chose this profession. Please help us elevate student voices by sharing the SAC application with your students, teachers, and staff before school lets out for the summer.
All my best,
Tony
Dr. Tony Sanders
State Superintendent of Education
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NEW! CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Register for ISBE’s Career Connections Conference
Get ready for one of the most anticipated events in Career and Technical Education (CTE) this summer — the ISBE Career Connections Conference, taking place June 16–17 at the Tinley Park Convention Center! Whether you are a CTE educator, counselor, administrator, or industry partner, this event is designed to help you strengthen your programs, build new connections, and gain valuable insight into the future of workforce development in Illinois.
This conference will feature dynamic presenters, interactive breakout sessions, and engaging exhibitors showcasing resources and tools that directly support student success in college and career readiness. Expect to walk away inspired with innovative strategies and practical tools to take back to your classrooms, schools, and communities.
Don't miss your chance to be part of this energizing professional development opportunity. Register for the Career Connections Conference by June 11.
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NEW! LEADERSHIP
I-Grow Summit for Educational Leaders and Teachers of Color
Registration is underway for the I-Grow Summit, scheduled for June 22-23 in Bloomington-Normal. The summit is designed to help grow, retain, and recruit educational leaders and teachers of color.
Our very own 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Dr. Rachael Mahmood, will be a keynote speaker, and the 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Briana Morales, will host a breakout session on how to build programs that equip young people with coping strategies and reinforce the power of collective healing through sisterhood.
Register for the I-Grow Summit.
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Fireside Chat With Shalinee Sharma
A recording of the Fireside Chat with Dr. Sanders and Shalinee Sharma is now available on our YouTube channel. 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 one 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 Brown University Advisory Council for the College. As a mom of twins, Sharma is passionate about universal access to an excellent education. Watch the Fireside Chat with Dr. Sanders and Shalinee Sharma.
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NEW! SAFE & HEALTHY CLIMATE
WELL Certification Made Easy With PSCFA
WELL certification is a useful tool in creating a healthier school environment, and it's just one of many benefits of the Public Schools Carbon-Free Assessment (PSCFA). This no-cost program provides Illinois K-12 public schools with access to a thorough, onsite carbon-free assessment conducted by professional engineers. The assessment uncovers opportunities to reduce energy consumption and lower your school's energy bills.
After your walk-through, your district will receive a customized report with suggested improvements and next steps, including technical assistance to match you with funding sources for identified projects.
Learn more on the ISBE PSCFA webpage.
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RTO Reduction Plans and Progress Reports
The requirement set forth in 105 ILCS 5/2-3.130(e) for school districts, special education cooperatives, and nonpublic special education programs to annually submit a physical restraint, time out, and isolated time out (RTO) reduction plan and progress report to ISBE sunsets at the end of this school year. Entities will not be required to submit a plan or progress report for school year 2025-26 or in any subsequent year. Please refer to the communication sent to the chief administrator of your entity as identified in ISBE’s Entity Profile System for more information. If you did not receive the email or if you require further technical assistance, please contact the ISBE Wellness and Student Care Department at restrainttimeout@isbe.net or 217-782-5270.
Mandated Reporters No Longer Required to Complete the CANTS 4 or CANTS 5
Per a change in Illinois law, effective Jan. 1, 2025, mandated reporters, including all school personnel, are no longer required to complete the CANTS 4 (Written Confirmation of Suspected Child Abuse Neglect Report – Medical Professionals) and the CANTS 5 (Written Confirmation of Suspected Child Abuse Neglect Report – Mandated Reporters). Consequently, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is no longer accepting or processing these forms.
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NEW! STANDARDS & INSTRUCTION
FY 2025 Illinois School District Technology Survey
We are excited to announce the launch of the fiscal year 2025 Illinois School District Technology Survey, developed by the Learning Technology Center in collaboration with ISBE. The survey seeks to gather valuable insights into how technology is being integrated into schools across the state, in accordance with 105 ILCS 5/10-20.74.
Who Should Complete the Survey? Your district’s technology leader is requested to complete the survey. Given that some questions involve technology infrastructure or instructional practices, we encourage collaboration with other district leadership team members to ensure accurate responses. A printable copy of the survey is available to help with collaboration with your team members.
Survey Window: The survey closes June 30.
How Do I Access the Survey? The survey is accessed via IWAS as the "FY 25 District Technology Survey." If you do not see the survey in the list of IWAS systems, you will have to request access to it by clicking on the “WANT TO SIGN UP FOR OTHER SYSTEMS?” link at the bottom of the My Systems page.
Questions: Contact standards@isbe.net or support@ltcillinois.org if you have any questions.
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FINANCE
FY 2026 School District Budget Form Now Available
The FY 2026 School District/Joint Agreement Budget Form is now available on the ISBE School District/Joint Agreement Budget Form webpage.
Dates to remember:
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Make budget available for public inspection 30 days prior to adoption.
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Publish notice of public hearing at least 30 days prior to hearing date.
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Hold public hearing prior to adoption.
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Sept. 1: Deadline for joint agreements to adopt FY 2026 budget. Post budget to website (if any) immediately after adoption and submit to ISBE within 30 days of adoption.
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Sept. 30: Deadline for school districts to adopt FY 2026 budget. Post budget to website (if any) immediately after adoption and submit to ISBE within 30 days of adoption.
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Oct. 1: Final joint agreement FY 2026 budget due to ISBE.
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Oct. 31: Final school district FY 2026 budget due to ISBE.
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June 30, 2026: Final date to adopt amended FY 2026 joint agreement and school district budgets and send to ISBE.
Submit the completed budget through the IWAS-School District Financial Report System. The system will be open for submissions on June 15.
Contact finance1@isbe.net if you have any questions.
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FY 2026 Budget Development Support
ISBE regional financial consultants are available to offer technical assistance to school districts, Regional Offices of Education, and other Local Education Agencies. They conduct financial and trend analyses of school districts and other administrative entities, particularly financially distressed districts, to track their fiscal solvency. They also assist in the ongoing development, implementation, and assessment of training that is targeted toward improving financial management practices in school districts. Visit the ISBE Regional Financial Consultants webpage to see the full list of available services and tools they provide.
If you need support with developing your FY 2026 budget, please reach out to one of the following ISBE regional financial consultants.
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FY 2026 EBF Spending Plan Resources
ISBE has released new resources to support organizational units completing the FY 2026 Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) Spending Plan, including the EBF Spending Plan Dashboard. The new dashboard makes prior-year EBF Spending Plan responses readily available and allows users to view individual spending plans for all organizational units in Illinois, as required by ILCS 18-8.15(h)(9). Spending plans are completed on an annual basis within the district budget form (for school districts) or via a stand-alone template (for laboratory schools, Regional Offices of Education, and Intermediate Service Centers). District leaders can review prior-year responses while completing the FY 2026 EBF Spending Plan.
The dashboard also summarizes statewide EBF Spending Plan data, building on analyses contained within ISBE’s FY 2024 EBF Spending Plan Report. Both the dashboard and the report provide increased transparency and context for the strategic investments districts make with state funds. Learn more about this new resource in the EBF Spending Plan Dashboard Guide.
In addition to the dashboard, ISBE also has published a guidance document and webinar (recording and PDF) for the FY 2026 EBF Spending Plan. The instructions and requirements for completing the plan have not changed since FY 2025. Any questions regarding the EBF Spending Plan should be directed to ebfspendingplan@isbe.net.
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ILLINOIS STUDENT ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
ISAC Summer Support Services for You and Your Students
With the end of the school year close at hand, remember that Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) support services for students and families continue to be available through the summer to help them complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA©) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) for the 2025-26 cycle:
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STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
2025-26 ISBE Student Advisory Council Applications Now Open
ISBE is accepting applications from eligible public and charter high school students for the 2025-26 Student Advisory Council (SAC)! Students entering the fall semester as a sophomore, junior, or senior are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is June 30.
SAC members are passionate about creating impactful change through education legislation, policies, and rules. Each year the SAC identifies areas of focus and collaborates with legislators, educational leaders, and ISBE staff to provide the State Board of Education with recommendations on how to rethink and enhance current education initiatives.
Visit the ISBE Student Voices webpage for more details on the SAC. Contact ISBESAC@isbe.net if you have questions.
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IN BRIEF
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Student Opportunities
NAMI Illinois Youth and Young Adult Focus Groups
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Illinois is launching focus groups for youth and young adults to help shape the future of mental health advocacy in the state. This initiative provides a safe and empowering space for high school students to discuss mental health, take on leadership roles, contribute to a podcast, and more.
Please help spread the word by distributing the application to high school students who may be interested. Focus group participants will:
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Gain leadership experience and develop valuable skills.
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Have their voices heard in shaping mental health initiatives.
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Connect with like-minded peers and professionals in the field.
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Make a tangible impact on mental health awareness and support.
Contact emily@namiillinois with questions.
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Educator Recognition
Nominate a School Social Worker and Citizen of the Year Today!
The Illinois Association of School Social Workers honors an exceptional School Social Worker and Citizen of the Year at its annual conference in October. Take a moment to recognize someone deserving by submitting a nomination today! Nominations are due by June 15. See more details on the School Social Worker and Citizen of the Year nomination criteria.
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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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