Blogs

19 New PD Opportunities For 2019

By Drew Thomason posted 18 hours ago
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Below you will find a preview of what we have coming in 2019. It is not hyperbole to say this upcoming year will have some of our most innovative and interesting professional development offerings to date! Thanks for your support, and let us know if there are any professional development needs you would like to see addressed. ...
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January's Attribute: Balanced

By PrinciPal Connection posted 5 days ago
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Featured Attribute Balanced – Lives and leads with multiple perspectives; considers not only the organizational and financial impact of decisions, but also the personal, social, and environmental impacts. Associated Competency Self-Management – Monitors and takes responsibility for one’s own behavior and well-being, personally, and professionally. Associated Intelligence Personal Intelligence – The capacity to reason about personality and to use personality and personal information to enhance one’s thoughts, plans, and life experiences. For Your Reflection Lindsy Stumpenhorst, Principal, Washington Elementary School, Sterling, ...
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December Attribute: You Matter

By PrinciPal Connection posted 15 days ago
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The following is was written by @Jason Leahy in lieu of a monthly attribute for December in the Principal's Calendar .  Since we are half-way through the school year, I thought we would deviate from our routine of offering a reflection of a key leadership attribute to remind you that YOU MATTER!  Here’s why: You provide the safest place some kids will every know. You are a parent, counselor, and friend to children who have none. You make sure your students have the best teachers possible. You make and stand behind tough decisions. You work to provide shoes, gloves, coats and supplies for kids whose families cannot afford them. ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (100-80) - Legislature Wraps Up Veto Session

By Alison Maley posted 18 days ago
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The Illinois General Assembly completed its two-week Veto Session this week and is adjourned until it returns in the "Lame Duck" session on January 7-8. The new 101st General Assembly will be sworn in on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. The newly elected Governor will be inaugurated on Monday, January 14, 2019. Neither SB 2892 (Manar, D-Bunker Hill) , which would have phased-in a minimum teacher salary of $40,000; nor SB 2572 (Holmes, D-Aurora) , which would have required all students to have 150 minutes of Physical Education per week, were considered before adjournment. Both bills were vetoed by the Governor and no motion to override the veto was called for ...
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November's Attribute: Conciliatory – Recognizes and Resolves Disputes with Effective Communication

By PrinciPal Connection posted 10-25-2018
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Featured Attribute Conciliatory – Recognizes and resolves disputes by applying effective communication; uses problem-solving ability and negotiation to attain positive outcomes. Associated Competency Community Building – Instills a sense of belonging, a feeling that members matter to one another and to the group, and a shared faith that members’ needs will be met through their commitment to be together.  Associated Intelligence Social Intelligence – A set of interpersonal competencies that inspire others to be effective. For Your Reflection Jim Burgett, Retired School Leader, Author, Speaker, and Consultant ( www.burgettgroup.com ...
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ISBE ANNOUNCES IMPORTANT WEBINARS - IL-POWER, ILLINOIS REPORT CARD & SUMMATIVE DESIGNATIONS

By Susan Homes posted 10-06-2018
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Colleagues: ISBE has announced the following webinars which will provide detailed information about the summative designations that will be released this month as well as the School Report Card and the new IL-Empower system of support. In addition, the agency recently published this timeline for the release of summative designations and school report cards in October . Thursday, October 11: IL-EMPOWER 3 - 4 p.m. Register Here Monday, October 15: ILLINOIS REPORT CARD 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Register Here Tuesday, October 16: SUMMATIVE DESIGNATIONS 9 - 10 a.m. Register Here Additional Resources to Assist You: Support and Accountability Illinois ...
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October's Attribute: Intentional - Act Rather Than React

By PrinciPal Connection posted 09-27-2018
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The Principal’s Calendar  is intended to help school leaders stay focused, organized, and growing. The Principal’s Calendar provides you with monthly lists of important responsibilities and legal requirements. In addition, it offers dates to remember (some just for fun) as well as critical professional development opportunities and resources. Finally, the Calendar challenges you to study and reflect on Attributes from the School Leader Paradigm - one per month. The Principal's Calendar is a benefit of membership to the Illinois Principals Association, so if you are not a member, join today!  October's Featured Attribute Intentional – Acts rather than reacts; ...
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Illinois' Research-Based ESSA Goals Defined

By Susan Homes posted 09-26-2018
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ISBE released its latest informational ESSA document on September 26 . The three-page document focuses on the research and reasoning behind its statewide goals for 2032
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Important Information Related to ESSA

By Susan Homes posted 09-26-2018
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Colleagues: There are a number of important resources and programs that would benefit you in the days leading up to the release of the 2018 School Report Card: 1. Subscription to ISBE's listserv for the Report Card, IL-EMPOWER, and summative designations. You can subscribe to the listserve here . 2. Information related to high school graduation rate calculation . You can access ISBE's descriptive resource here . 3. ISBE's Notice of Award for the new Illinois Assessment of Readiness (formerly PARCC).  4. Registration link for the IBAM Quality Frameworks and Rubric webinar on October 4 from 3 - 4 p.m . This webinar, developed in collaboration ...
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INCREASED Communication Regarding Summative Designations, IL-Empower and the School Report Card Announced by ISBE

By Susan Homes posted 09-20-2018
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Colleagues: ISBE is designing a series of emails to help provide up-to-date and meaningful information related to the release of the new 2018 School Report Card as well as summative designations under ESSA and its new system of support, IL-EMPOWER. ISBE is partnering with the state associations to help communicate this important information. Attached you will find the first informational piece released by ISBE today, September 20, 2018
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ACT Now is rolling out the Illinois Quality Program Self-Assessment Tool (IL-QPSA)!

By PrinciPal Connection posted 09-12-2018
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The following is a guest blog by ACT Now Illinois  ACT Now is rolling out the Illinois Quality Program Self-Assessment Tool (IL-QPSA)! Join us for a Sneak Peek Webinar September 14 th ! Register here . Who is ACT Now? The Afterschool for Children and Teens Now Coalition (ACT Now) is a statewide organization that works towards ensuring that young people in Illinois have access to quality, affordable afterschool and youth development programs. ACT Now is a diverse coalition supported by Illinois families, educators, business leaders, afterschool providers, community advocates, youth organizations, and policymakers from across the state. ...
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Further Clarification on Chronic Absenteeism Under Illinois ESSA Plan

By Susan Homes posted 09-07-2018
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ISBE recently clarified what "exceptions" are allowed under the new definition of chronic absenteeism. Only students " for whom a documented homebound or hospital record is on file during the student's absence from school " will count as an exception in the calculation of chronic absenteeism. Chronic absenteeism is one of the school quality indicators that will be measured under Illinois' ESSA plan. The clarified definition maintains alignment with the revised language in the Illinois School Code ( 105 ILCS 5/26-18 ) which became effective January 1, 2018. Excerpts from the School Code : "Chronic absence" means absences that total 10% or more of school ...
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Validating the Hard Work to Prepare for Life after High School: College and Career Pathway Endorsements

By PrinciPal Connection posted 09-05-2018
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THE FOLLOWING ORIGINALLY APPEARED ON THE WEBSITE OF EDUCATION SYSTEMS CENTER, NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY “Preparing students for ‘what’s next’ has always been the goal of educators.” There is often a disconnect between what students learn in the classroom and what employers expect young people to know in the workplace, which has an impact on how courses are planned, decisions are made about what to do after high school, and the hiring choices an employer makes. In 2016, Illinois took a bold step to address this disconnect. The   Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) Act , signed into law in 2016, takes a student-centered and competency-based ...
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Illinois’ Innovative Approach to Mapping Skills for Student Success in College and Career

By PrinciPal Connection posted 09-05-2018
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THE FOLLOWING ORIGINALLY APPEARED ON THE WEBSITE OF EDUCATION SYSTEMS CENTER, NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY Employers and educators often encounter a disconnect between what is taught in the classroom and what employers feel is needed to be successful in the workplace, which creates frustrating challenges that ultimately have an impact on course planning, decision-making for life after high school, and hiring choices. In July 2016, Illinois took a bold step to address this challenge when it enacted the   Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act   (PWR Act), which identified and addressed   four truly ambitious components  to improve the alignment and ...
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You Should Never Miss an IPA Fall Conference

By Charley Cass posted 09-03-2018
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I remember my first IPA fall conference.  It was my first year as a principal and by October you start getting that feeling that you are now an island to yourself.  In small districts like ours, you are usually the only administrator in the building and you don't get many chances to bounce ideas off of people like you.  I was having a good year but as a rookie, you have a lot of uncertainty that you need professional networking to fix.  I remember walking into the Peoria Civic Center that first morning to the general session.  I looked around and not only spotted familiar faces but soon realized that these were my people.  A building filled with people that ...
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Develop Plans and Appropriate Mechanisms to Achieve Your School's Vision and Goals

By PrinciPal Connection posted 08-30-2018
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The Principal’s Calendar is intended to help school leaders stay focused, organized, and growing. The Principal’s Calendar provides you with monthly lists of important responsibilities and legal requirements. In addition, it offers dates to remember (some just for fun) as well as critical professional development opportunities and resources. Finally, the Calendar challenges you to study and reflect on Attributes from the School Leader Paradigm - one per month. The Principal's Calendar is a benefit of membership to the Illinois Principals Association, so if you are not a member, join today! September's Featured Attribute Strategic – Develops plans and ...
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Social Studies Teachers Rejoice

By Charley Cass posted 08-21-2018
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I remember when I was a social studies teacher at Mt. Vernon Township High School.  That's way back when we were on the Prairie State Exam.  Yes, social studies was on the state exam.  These days we test math, English/language arts and science but somewhere we were left out.  Was it because the social sciences such as history, civics, and economics were not important?  Of course not.  Our subject matter was just not a legislative priority and we didn't make the cut for state tests.  Don't feel left out fellow social studies teachers, it is time to rejoice. Most of the  legally required subjects  to be taught in school are social studies topics.  It's true.  ...
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ISPA Announces Supervisor Credential Program

By PrinciPal Connection posted 08-20-2018
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The following is a post from the Illinois School Psychologist Association's Mark E. Swerdlik and Dennis Simon The Illinois School Psychologists Association has established a Supervisor Credential Program.  Along with the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), ISPA recognizes that competency in clinical supervision skills is a core professional requirement.  Clinical supervision supports the full range of professional practice skills applied by school psychologists.  Competency in clinical supervision is particularly essential for supporting the future of the profession through the supervision of practicum students, interns, and early career ...
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Medical Cannabis Bill Signed Into Law – Effective Immediately

By Legally Speaking posted 08-02-2018
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On August 1, 2018, Governor Rauner signed “Ashley’s Law,” which, under certain circumstances, allows for the administration of medical cannabis to students at school or on a school bus.  Specifically: The student must be a “registered qualifying patient” authorized to use medical cannabis. The individual administering the medical cannabis must be a “registered caregiver.” Medical cannabis that can be administered at school includes only “cannabis infused products,” which are limited to “food, oils, ointments, or other products containing usable cannabis that are not smoked.” After administration of the medical cannabis, it must be immediately removed ...
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Updated information about 5 Essentials from State Superintendent Bulletin Published on 7/31/18

By Susan Homes posted 07-31-2018
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Colleagues: Below is an excerpt from Dr. Smith's weekly bulletin published on July 31. There are two important changes regarding the 5Essentials survey beginning in the 2018-2019 school year:      1. The survey will be administered to students in GRADES 4 - 12 (Grades 4 and 5 are being added this year).      2. The survey must be administered annually (it was previously required biennially). Looking Forward - Click here for a link to the full bulletin. The 2018-19 survey window will go from Nov. 15, 2018, to Jan. 18, 2019. The survey has some exciting enhancements for the coming school year -- it will be possible to disaggregate data by student ...
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