Blogs

A Principal's Critical Resource - Delegation

By Jason Leahy posted 06-16-2017
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​School leadership is not getting any easier. No mystery, right? Even the most seasoned principals are challenged by the complexities of the job and the time required to do it well. Teacher evaluations, learning standards, 21 st century skills, school discipline, restorative justice, etc., etc. layered on top of a myriad of managerial tasks and fires to put out keep you on your toes. However, do not lose sight of the importance of your work. You are engaged in the highest of callings with the opportunity to influence so many. Never doubt that your work matters. Your leadership matters. YOU MATTER!   To help you keep a handle on what you are responsible ...
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Advancing the Illinois Early Childhood Education Workforce: A Model College and Career Pathway

By PrinciPal Connection posted 06-01-2017
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The following is the executive summary from Advancing the Illinois Education Research Council report "Illinois Early Childhood Education Workforce: A Model College and Career Pathway" The early childhood educator workforce has widely ranging credentials and degrees, qualifications and compensation, typically varying by setting. Yet, there is a national call for aligning and strengthening requirements for preparation of the early childhood workforce to ensure that young children thrive and reach their potential at each stage in their development. This policy brief, Advancing the Illinois Early Childhood Education Workforce: A Model College and Career Pathway, ...
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Coffee. Connections. Conversations: How To Host A #CoffeeEDU Event

By Amanda Ellis posted 06-01-2017
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Not too long ago, I read a blog post about creating informal opportunities for educators to come together to discuss topics related to teaching and learning through the concept of a #CoffeeEDU . Aligned to the idea of an EdCamp/Uncoference, the goal of a #CoffeeEDU is to provide impromptu and conversational learning opportunities in a short amount of time. #CoffeeEDU events are limited to 1 hour. I set out with the support of our district 1:1 Professional Learning sub-committee to launch our first #CoffeeEDU. Creating a plan for a #CoffeeEDU event is as easy as: Setting a date and time Establishing a location Communicating and sharing the event ...
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Enhancing Education for African American Children

By PrinciPal Connection posted 05-11-2017
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This is reposted from the NATIONAL FORUM OF TEACHER EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL, VOLUME 27, NUMBER 3, 2017 Enhancing Education for African American Children Dr. David E. Bartz Professor Emeritus College of Education & Professional Studies Department of Educational Leadership Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL Eastern Illinois University Dr. Patrick Rice Illinois Association of School Boards Abstract The United States is in a crisis regarding the ineffectiveness of PreK-12 education for African American children. Principals play a key role in alleviating this crisis through culturally responsive school leadership ...
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Advocacy in Action: Take Action on School Arrest Bill

By Advocacy In Action posted 05-11-2017
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                May 8, 2017 Spotlight on the Statehouse ALLIANCE LEGISLATIVE REPORT (100-17): TALKS CONTINUE ON BUDGET, FUNDING FORMULA Serious discussions on a State budget and school funding formula changes were prevalent this week in the Capitol – some in public and some in private. With the Senate in session, most of the activity was in that chamber. The House of Representatives was not in session this week. Leadership and budget negotiators were reportedly meeting privately this week to try ...
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Release of ISBE-provided April SAT® School Day Student Scores

By PrinciPal Connection posted 05-09-2017
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 The following is a message from The College Board SAT scores from the ISBE-provided April SAT® School Day administration will be available to students and educators through the College Board Reporting Portal beginning May 2017. The Portal will update as scores are released. Scores for students who submitted a “Request to Cancel Test Scores” form will not be available in the Portal. Please contact College Board at 1-888-728-4357 if you have questions about SAT data posted in the Portal. Separately, ISBE is scheduled to provide SAT scores from the ISBE-provided April SAT® School Day administration in its Student Information System (SIS) on July 10, 2017, for ...
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Interested in Offering Dual Credit or Getting Your Teachers Qualified to Teach Dual Credit?

By PrinciPal Connection posted 05-08-2017
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This is Guest Post from the Illinois Board of Higher Education If your school is interested in offering dual credit coursework with a partner institution, it is important to be aware of some changes that have occurred over the past several years.  In 2010, the Dual Credit Quality Act was passed by the legislature, and then in October 2015, the 23 Illinois Administrative Code 1009 was formally passed.  The Dual Credit Quality Act was enacted to accomplish the following to: Reduce college costs Speed time to degree completion. Improve curriculum for high school students and the alignment of the curriculum with college and workplace expectations. ...
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Teacher Evaluator Retraining

By Legally Speaking posted 04-26-2017
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Teacher evaluators who have taken the initial evaluator training ( Growth Through Learning modules ) must complete retraining “once within the next [license] renewal cycle” and then every subsequent renewal cycle. Retraining will be offered through the Administrator’s Academy process. Specifically, two academies are required to meet the retraining requirement: one Academy on teacher practice, and one Academy on student growth. The retraining Academies can be taken at any time during an individual’s licensure cycle and can be taken in any order. The retraining Academies also count as an individual’s required Academy for the year. The attached chart, which ...
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Advocacy in Action: ILGA Spring Break

By Advocacy In Action posted 04-12-2017
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     April 10, 2017 Action Alerts - Title II Funding & School Arrest Legislation TITLE II FUNDING It is critical that you contact your congressional representatives to let them know that you oppose President Trump's budget proposal and tell them to support funding for Title II, Part A of ESSA. ACTION:  Send a message  to your members of Congress today ACTION: Share stories of how Title II dollars are used in your district with Kelly Pollitt at kpollitt@naesp.org  and  alison@ilprincipals.org .  STUDENT ARREST LEGISLATION Senate Bill 704 prohibits student arrests ...
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Advocacy in Action: Vision 20/20 Ed Funding Plan Moving

By Advocacy In Action posted 04-05-2017
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April 3, 2017 Advocacy Alert - Title II Funding Eliminated in Trump Budget It is critical that you contact your congressional representatives to let them know that you oppose President Trump's budget proposal and tell them to support funding for Title II, Part A of ESSA. ACTION: Send a message to your members of Congress today Urge your legislator to stand with America's students and educators by negotiating a spending package that funds Title II, Part A at no less than $2.295 billion, ...
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School Arrest Limitations

By Advocacy In Action posted 03-28-2017
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March 6, 2017 School Arrest Limitations Legislation has been filed this year to limit school-based arrests for offenses that occur on school grounds, during school hours, in school vehicles, or at school activities or sanctioned events (including field trips), with few exceptions. SB 704 and HB 1779 restrict the ability of school officials and law enforcement to protect children and ensure a safe learning environment. The legislation allows students to commit multiple misdemeanors without ...
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Improving Student Outcomes with Afterschool-School Day Partnerships: Examples of What School Leadership Can Do

By PrinciPal Connection posted 02-27-2017
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The following is a guest blog post by Susan Stanton of ACT Now Network Students benefit when their afterschool providers coordinate with their school day teachers and administrators. Connections between the school day and afterschool help to increase curricular alignment, reinforce behavior expectations, and increase partnerships with parents and families. School leadership is an integral part of making these partnerships work. The following are two excellent examples of school leadership and afterschool program partnerships in action in Illinois. Neponset Grade School At Neponset Grade School, Site Coordinator Patrick Peach and Principal Dena Hodge-Bates ...
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Building Trust with Parents

By Charley Cass posted 02-21-2017
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I commented to a colleague this weekend that I could write a best seller based on Friday's events alone. It was surely one of those days. Every situation was an indication of everything that's is wrong with schools and society. It took quite a while to digest and reflect upon how the wheels fall off and why can't these bad days being prevented. The truth is it's like being a fireman. Sometimes there are boring days and sometimes you work 14 hours without taking your gear off. I try not to complain and keep on moving. I once heard someone say that we shouldn't pray for a smaller load, we should pray for a stronger back. This is definitely true in education. ...
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IPA PrinciPal: Opportunities To Grow

By PrinciPal Connection posted 02-17-2017
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In This Issue... - Schools of Character - ESSA Update - National Board Professional Development Schools - Teacher Leadership Network - Facebook Live - Aspiring Superintendent Academy - New Members - ICYMI - Our Sponsor This Week ...
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Leadership Lessons From Classic Country Music

By Amanda Ellis posted 01-19-2017
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I have an eclectic taste in music. It includes a little bit of everything and my radio dial is constantly changing based on my mood. A little known fact about me is that I love country classic music. Maybe it is because I grew up with parents that played the likes of Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Hank Williams, Randy Travis, and Waylon Jennings (just to name a few). Some of these artists have transcended decades and have made their mark on generations of music lovers, but my favorite songs are their classics. I spent many hours travelling in the back of the car listening to them playing the music that resonates across so many generations. In fact, I was actually ...
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The Officials Shortage

By Charley Cass posted 01-18-2017
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This is my 15th year in education and often after a game the complaint is not about the why the wining team was better. It is usually first the poor officiating, the poor coaching performance and yes, if your kid was playing I'm sure we would have won. Lets be honest and say that we are not good to our officials and yes this includes me. I will never poke at anyone without including myself. I have found myself in each status that I occupy criticizing an official. I've been a coach, an athletic director, an administrator and yes a parent when I've been critical of an official. I'm not proud of it but I am always right. Right? Before we get to the heart ...
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Advocacy in Action: Lame Duck Session

By Advocacy In Action posted 01-10-2017
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January 4, 2017 Spotlight on the Statehouse EDUCATION FUNDING COMMISSION The Governor's Education Funding Commission continued to meet over the last two weeks in working groups to examine topics such as hold harmless, property taxes, Evidence-Based Funding elements, and a distribution model. The full commission will meet today, January 4. Listen in here. Working group membership Commission information LAME DUCK SESSION AND 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY The Illinois ...
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Compare & Connect K-12: A Broadband Price Transparency Tool

By PrinciPal Connection posted 01-03-2017
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The following is blog post was provided by the EducationSuperHighway Are teachers and students in your school getting the bandwidth speeds needed to support digital learning in the classroom? As part of the Illinois Classroom Connectivity Initiative , the non-profit organization EducationSuperHighway is donating its time, tools and resources to ensure every K-12 public school has access to high-speed, affordable broadband . EducationSuperHighway recently released Compare & Connect K-12 , an online broadband price transparency tool based on public E-rate application data. Across the nation, district leaders are using the tool's powerful new features ...
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Advocacy in Action: Veto Session Update

By Advocacy In Action posted 12-07-2016
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December 2, 2016 Alliance Legislative Report (99-58) DEADLOCKED BUDGET It looks like no deal on a budget. Though Governor Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders met daily this week, no agreement has been reached on either another stop-gap budget or a more permanent grand compromise budget. Although the education budget adopted in June was for the entire fiscal year, the budget for most state services is set to expire on Dec. 31. House Speaker Michael Madigan insists that an agreement be made on the ...
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Advocacy in Action: Alliance Report 99-57

By Advocacy In Action posted 12-07-2016
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November 23, 2016 Alliance Legislative Report (99-57) The Illinois General Assembly will convene next Tuesday for the second week of the Veto Session. Lawmakers will meet Tuesday through Thursday, November 29-December 1. Last week, the legislature met to take up several of the bills vetoed by Governor Bruce Rauner and to consider a few leftover items from the spring session. Education-related legislation is listed later in this report. So far for next week, only a handful of committees have set ...
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