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MAY 28, 2025
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Fifth graders at Walker Elementary School in CCSD 181 in Clarendon Hills had a lesson on the history of the American Revolution, where each student took on the role of a colonial resident, complete with an assigned job and a weekly wage of 10 pence. They then experienced unfair taxation imposed by the "king." The immersive simulation was designed to foster deeper understanding of the cause of the American Revolution.
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RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS
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Dear Colleagues:
As we close out the current school year, I want to share a reminder that some students may still be preparing to observe religious holidays in the coming weeks. Schools may continue to receive requests for excused absences and opportunities to make up missed work related to these observances. This may be a good time for schools to proactively partner with local counsel and families to ensure procedures for absences related to religious holidays are readily available, clearly communicated, and compliant with students’ rights in the School Code.
Schools must have policies governing absenteeism and truancy, and communicate these policies to students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) at least annually, according to School Code. These policies must define a valid cause for absence, including the observance of a religious holiday, as explained in 105 ILCS 5/26-2a. This statute goes on to say that students who are absent due to observance of a religious holiday “shall be excused from examinations, studies, or work assignments” on such days, and that teachers and school administrators have the responsibility to give those students an equivalent opportunity to make up any exams, study, or work requirements they missed. Of course, Illinois law permits schools to have policies requiring notice and other procedures (see paragraph 5) for students who seek to be excused for religious reasons.
Any conversation about religious absences typically leads to a discussion about general religious accommodations. For example, what accommodations can we make in PE classes for students who are fasting in observance of a religious holiday? Paragraph b-5 of 105 ILCS 5/27-6 addresses that question – the students shall be excused if their parent or guardian has notified the principal in writing. Additionally, schools might waive dress code or school uniform requirements or provide alternative assignments with similar learning goals to accommodate a student’s religious practices. Religious accommodations tend to be specific inquiries, and schools should work with local counsel to determine what sorts of religious accommodations may be required in a particular scenario.
At the heart of our work is the belief that each and every student deserves to feel respected, supported, and welcomed for who they are. Honoring religious observances and thoughtfully considering accommodations are a couple of the many ways we can create inclusive environments where all students can thrive — academically, emotionally, and culturally. To do this, it is important for school district superintendents and school boards to consider religious observances as they develop their 2025-26 calendar, not only for days of academic attendance but also for major events like musical performances, theater productions, and other capstone activities.
Thank you for continuing to lead with empathy and equity.
All my best,
Tony
Dr. Tony Sanders
State Superintendent of Education
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NEW! FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Join FACE to FACE with the State Network on May 29
The FACE to FACE with the State Network hosts virtual, monthly meetings for school-based, family-facing professionals. The last meeting of the 2024-25 school year will be on be at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 29. ISBE's Nutrition Department will discuss summer food programs and the State's Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program. We also will be joined by the U.S. and Illinois Departments of Labor (IDOL). IDOL will present information on child labor laws to help you in supporting students as they seek summer jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor will review the Family Medical Leave Act to highlight recent changes in the law along with resources to support your districts in disseminating the information. If you would like to join this network and receive the link for this and future meetings, fill out the Membership Form. Email Carolina Fabian, director of Family and Community Engagement at ISBE, at cfabian@isbe.net if you have any questions regarding this network.
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NEW! INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
New Date Added for our IWAS to MyISBE Listening Tour
Register now for a new stop on the IWAS to MyISBE Listening Tour! Join us 1-3 p.m. June 9 at South Cook ISC 4 (253 West Joe Orr Road, Chicago Heights, IL 60411) to give your feedback on 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. IWAS is the primary security portal for administrators to apply for and manage grants from ISBE and to access ISBE’s data and reporting systems.
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! The introduction of MyISBE means 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.
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NEW! NUTRITION
School Year 2025-26 SNP Application Deadline is June 30
The School Nutrition Programs (SNP) application for school year 2025-26 is available in the Web-Based Illinois Nutrition System (WINS). All sponsors should complete the application by June 30.
The application is an annual requirement for all sponsors to participate in such programs as the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, After School Snack Program, Special Milk Program, and Illinois Free Lunch and Illinois Breakfast.
Instructions and other resources for the annual application are posted on the ISBE Instructions for Online Applications and Reports webpage.
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Get Ready for SY 2025-26 with ISBE School Nutrition Training
ISBE’s Nutrition Department staff will present a free training opportunity at the Embassy Suites by Hilton East Peoria Riverfront Hotel & Conference Center June 16 – 17. Registration is under way on the SNP Training and Professional Standards webpage; see the “Our In-Person Trainings” section for registration links, hotel and parking information, and session descriptions.
On June 16, attendees will be able to choose between two in-depth workshops scheduled during the afternoon. One will cover meal patterns and menu recordkeeping; the other will cover food safety, including the required Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan. Register for Day 1 trainings.
June 17 will feature a full day of breakout sessions on a wide range of topics, including Smart Snacks, Claims and WINS, Resource Management, Professional Standards, the Food Distribution Program, Breakfast After the Bell, Offer Vs. Serve, Accommodations, Farm to School, General Procurement, and more. Register for Day 2 of the 2025 ISBE School Nutrition Training.
Hotel rooms are available for the night of June 16 at a rate of $110 (plus tax). Please follow the Room Block Booking Instructions to book within the room block. Reservations must be made by June 1. Attendees are responsible for the cost of their rooms. Parking is located onsite and complimentary for conference attendees as well as hotel guests who book through the room block. Parking payment signs posted throughout the lot can be disregarded.
This in-person training opportunity in East Peoria is intended for all school personnel working with the federal School Nutrition Programs, from those working in an administrative capacity to school business officials to those working primarily in the lunchroom.
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NEW! SAFE & HEALTHY CLIMATE
Spring 2025 5Essentials Survey Updates
Principals and superintendents will receive invitations to view their 2025 5Essentials Survey reports on May 30. These reports will be released publicly on June 30. A few things are different about the 5Essentials Survey this year:
- For more than 10 years, the benchmark was based on 2013 survey data across Illinois.
- For spring 2025, the benchmark is updated to use 2024 survey data. That means that your school is now compared to schools across Illinois in 2024 — not schools in 2013.
- Scoring updates mean that more schools’ scores will fall into the average, “neutral,” category.
For more information, including answers to all your Frequently Asked Questions, please see 5Essentials Survey: Spring 2025 Report Details.
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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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NEW! SPECIAL EDUCATION
Updated Dyslexia Handbook Now Available
The newest edition of the ISBE Dyslexia Handbook is here. This go-to guide is packed with the latest research and practical strategies for supporting students with dyslexia. You can download your copy.
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Qualified IEP Interpreters
Course registration for the fall 2025 cohort of the Training for Qualified IEP Interpreters (TQII) program will open on July 9, with the first day of the course set to start on Aug. 25. Registration for the second fall 2025 course will open on Sept. 9, with the first day of the course set to start on Oct. 13. Seat capacity is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. It is important that attendees attend and participate in each scheduled session. Not completing a session will impact the ability for a participant to earn the QI Designation.
All participants should take notice that the TQII program consists of two sections, with a final examination that will determine if participants receive the designation of Qualified Interpreter. The Special Education module is six hours of asynchronous training that must be completed in the allotted time specified for your session. The Interpreting course is at least nine hours of synchronous training that begins once the Special Education module is completed. Participants will meet over Zoom for two hours each week for five weeks.
All information about this program can be found on the TQII website.
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NEW! TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE
New External Support Portal
We’re excited to announce that a new External Support Portal will go live on June 20! This portal will provide a streamlined way for users to get help, submit service requests, and access support resources more efficiently than ever before. You will be able to use our “Contact Us” link, located on our main page, to access a list of all department contact numbers and a “Get Help” button. Stay tuned for more updates and training resources as we approach the launch date.
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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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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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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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IN BRIEF
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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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