Blogs

College Board Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy Coach Tools Webinar 1/13/20 – 1/17/20

By PrinciPal Connection posted 19 days ago
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THE FOLLOWING IS A GUEST POST FROM THE COLLEGE BOARD The College Board is excited to share details on the use of “Coach Resources for Official SAT® Practice.” Khan Academy® offers exclusive access to Official SAT® Practice to anyone, anywhere, anytime, for FREE! This webinar will review all the tools available to students and teachers within Official SAT® Practice, a review of how to link College Board and Khan Academy® accounts for the most effective practice recommendations and details on the new Official SAT® Practice Lesson Plans. This feature allows teachers, counselors, and other educators the ability to view progress and practice on Official SAT® ...
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Seclusion & Restraint Information - Emergency and Permanent Rule Updates (UPDATED 12/12/19)

By Alison Maley posted 11-25-2019
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Following reporting by  ProPublica  and the Chicago Tribune on reports of unlawful isolated seclusion of students in Illinois school districts and special education providers, the Illinois State Board of Education took emergency action to end the use of isolated seclusion, expand data collection on instances of time-out and physical restraint, and investigate cases of seclusion. Please see below for a summary of the emergency rules, proposed permanent rules and additional resources. **UPDATE 12/12/2019 - ISBE Proposes Permanent Rules** The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has filed proposed permanent rules  for student time out and restraint. ...
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Advocacy in Action: Emergency Action on Isolated Seclusion and Restraint of Students

By Alison Maley posted 11-21-2019
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Following reporting by ProPublica and the Chicago Tribune on reports of unlawful isolated seclusion of students in Illinois school districts and special education providers, the Illinois State Board of Education will take emergency action to end the use of isolated seclusion, expand data collection on instances of time-out and physical restraint, and investigate cases of seclusion. Statement from Dr. Jason Leahy, Executive Director, Illinois Principals Association: “The Illinois Principals Association supports the Illinois State Board of Education and Governor’s office as they address reports of unlawful isolated ...
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A.P/A.D. Evaluations

By Mark Riley posted 11-21-2019
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Good Afternoon, We have recently combined our Assistant Principal and Athletic Director positions.  We are trying to figure out how to weight this positions evaluation (50% each, etc.) and wanted to hear how other schools that combine that position do it.   Do you evaluation A.P. and A.D. separately?  Do you 50/50 the evaluation.  Appreciate the help.
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Alliance Legislative Report 101-27: Veto Session Wrap-Up

By Alison Maley posted 11-15-2019
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LAWMAKERS WRAP UP VETO SESSION The Illinois General Assembly concluded the Fall Veto Session this week and adjourned until January 28, 2020. Legislators deliberated on a mix of revisions of legislation that was enacted earlier this year, hold-over issues from the spring session, and some new issues which emerged. At the conclusion of the session, Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) announced that he would be retiring in January. This, of course, begins the political maneuvering among those Senators who wish to replace him.   LEGISLATIVE ACTION FROM THIS WEEK SB 10 (Manar, D-Bunker Hill) reinstates a competency test for persons seeking ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-26) - Legislature Returns for Veto Session

By Alison Maley posted 11-01-2019
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ALLIANCE LEGISLATIVE REPORT (101-26) -  LEGISLATURE RETURNS FOR VETO SESSION The Illinois General Assembly was back in Springfield this week to begin the Fall Veto Session. In most years, the House and Senate take on a mix of veto overrides, new proposals, or unfinished business from the spring. However, with only a handful of gubernatorial vetoes from the spring session, and with the recent announcements of legislators being arrested on corruption charges, normal legislative issues were set aside for most of the week. For observers, media, and watchdog groups, it was the scandal allegations that were on their minds. Some new and unfinished business ...
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Site-Based Expenditure Reporting: What Building Level Administrators Need To Know

By PrinciPal Connection posted 10-31-2019
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The 2019 Illinois Report Card is now available to the public. Districts and communities will see school-by-school spending data for the first time on the Illinois Report Card. Since this is the first year that school-by-school spending data are available, there may be many questions, especially from your local community. Make sure you know what is in the Illinois Report Card so you can steer the narrative about your school. Below are resources relating to site-based expenditure reporting that can help. We will update this page as more resources become available (last updated 10/31/2019). SCHOOL FINANCES: Site-Based Expenditure Reporting (A PDF from ISBE) ...
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What's the True Value of a Conference?

By Drew Thomason posted 09-16-2019
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What's the true value of a conference? What's your return on investment of your time and money? For me, the one thing that is the biggest benefit and value of going to a conference is something that I had never even considered before. It's what I call the Shakeup Effect. Your in a different place, with a different cast of people, on a different schedule. Your routine has been temporarily overhauled. This shakeup primes your brain for new ideas and "AH-HA!" moments. But those new ideas and "AH-HA!" moments need fuel to really takeoff. That fuel is great speakers, practical sessions and passionate attendees. Great speakers have the ability to inspire ...
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Lunch Tables

By Christopher Taylor posted 09-10-2019
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Mount Carmel Grade School is selling 4 lunch tables in good condition, asking $200 a piece. Can deliver within 40-60 miles or possibly meet half way if longer distance away. Please contact the office 618-262-5699 ask for Chris T
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Alliance Legislative Report 101-24: Governor Enacts Minimum Teacher Salary

By Alison Maley posted 08-30-2019
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GOVERNOR ENACTS $40,000 MINIMUM TEACHER SALARY LAW Governor JB Pritzker continued working through the 600 bills that were approved by the General Assembly and sent to his desk. Many of the new Public Acts have an immediate effect on school districts. While some of the bills recently signed allow for greater flexibility for local districts, there are many that may also have serious repercussions.  One of the most consequential bills signed into law is HB 2078   (Stuart, D-Collinsville) . In yearly increments,   HB 2078   increases the minimum teacher salary to $40,000 per year. The minimum salary increase would be phased in as follows: Not less ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-25) - Governor Completes Bill Signings

By Alison Maley posted 08-28-2019
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GOVERNOR COMPLETES BILL SIGNINGS Governor JB Pritzker has completed action on all bills that have been sent to him by the General Assembly. The legislature approved 600 bills this spring that required action by the governor. The governor signed most all of them into law. Seven bills were vetoed – most of those being duplicative of other bills that already had been signed. One bill was issued an amendatory veto. Of the 600 bills passed, nearly 20 percent either directly or indirectly affected local school districts. The   Digest of Bills Passed   contains a summary of all of these bills. BILLS RECENTLY SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR HB 247   (Carroll, ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-23)

By Alison Maley posted 08-19-2019
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GOVERNOR WORKING HIS WAY THROUGH BILLS Governor JB Pritzker has been signing into law dozens of measures every week as he works through the 600 bills that were approved by the General Assembly and sent to his desk. Just last Friday, the governor acted upon 150 pieces of legislation. Many of the recent bill signings were bills opposed by the Alliance that will cause challenges for local school districts. The Alliance offered amendatory language in most cases to try to make the bills less onerous for school districts. Letters were also written to the governor asking for vetoes or amendatory vetoes, but instead the bills have been enacted into law. HB 2719 ...
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Advocacy in Action (8/9/19)

By Alison Maley posted 08-09-2019
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View in a browser August 9, 2019 Alliance Report 101-22 The summer months are typically slow for legislative activity. The legislature adjourned at the beginning of June and does not return until October 28. Governor JB Pritzker quickly signed into law the bills that established the Fiscal Year 2020 state budget, and now is acting upon other pieces of legislation. ...
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Alliance Legislative Report 101-22

By Alison Maley posted 07-30-2019
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The summer months are typically slow for legislative activity. The legislature adjourned at the beginning of June and does not return until October 28. Governor JB Pritzker quickly signed into law the bills that established the Fiscal Year 2020 state budget, and now is acting upon other pieces of legislation. The last three Fridays the governor has signed into law dozens of bills. All bills that have been approved by the legislature have been sent to the governor. The governor has 60 days to act on those measures. Expect gubernatorial action to sign or veto legislation until August 27, when the 60 day clock runs out for the latest bills sent. School board ...
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2019 IL AP Coordinator Workshops Part 1

By PrinciPal Connection posted 07-29-2019
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The following information is shared from The College Board: AP Coordinator Workshop: Part 1 This half-day workshop – all new for the 2019-20 school year - is designed to help new and experienced AP coordinators learn how to efficiently and successfully manage their schools' AP program – from the beginning of the school year through fall ordering. In this workshop, you will have the chance to exchange best practices and learn new ways to handle the responsibilities of coordinating an AP program. Learning Outcomes: After this workshop, you will be able to: Access, setup, and use the AP Registration and Ordering system Enroll students and manage ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-21)

By Alison Maley posted 06-04-2019
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LAWMAKERS GO HOME FOR THE SUMMER After missing the scheduled session adjournment date last Friday, the Illinois General Assembly continued working through the weekend and completed its business. The House of Representatives completed its work Saturday evening. The Senate arrived in the Capitol Sunday and worked through the day to finish its agenda. Both chambers have now adjourned until the veto session to be held October 28-30 and November 12-14. It was an eventful end of session as   Governor JB Pritzker   was very successful in his first legislative session. A balanced Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 state budget was approved with bipartisan support. Likewise, ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-20)

By Alison Maley posted 06-04-2019
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY STILL HAS WORK TO DO May 31 st, the scheduled legislative adjournment date, has come and gone, but the legislature has not yet completed its business. As was reported in the   last Alliance Legislative Report   , most of the key components of a final budget compromise package were filed this week, but lawmakers ran out of time before everything could be considered. The House of Representatives worked into the evening Friday, but had already announced its intentions to be in session through the weekend. House members are in session today (Saturday). The Senate worked into the early hours Saturday in a bid to finish its agenda, and ultimately ...
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Alliance Legislative Report (101-19)

By Alison Maley posted 06-04-2019
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LEGISLATURE WORKS THROUGH THE FINAL DAY The Illinois General Assembly was working feverishly today (Friday) to try and finish its aggressive agenda before the midnight deadline for adjournment. Though significant issues have been taking shape and discussions are continuing in committees and on the chamber floors, many of the more controversial issues need more time for negotiations. The House of Representatives just announced that it plans to be in session through Sunday – therefore missing the scheduled adjournment deadline. In the past couple of hours, amendments have been filed to enact legislation for a Fiscal Year 2020 state budget, a Budget Implementation ...
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Test

By Drew Thomason posted 06-02-2019
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This is a test
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Illinois chosen as one of four states to participate in inaugural Civic Engagement Champions Award

By PrinciPal Connection posted 05-30-2019
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The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is encouraging middle school teachers to apply for the National Association of State Boards of Education’s (NASBE) Civic Engagement Champions Award. NASBE chose Illinois as one of four states to participate in the inaugural year of the honor. NASBE will award one Illinois middle school teacher $5,000 and recognize the winner at the organization’s annual conference in October. The Civic Engagement Champions Award is open to all middle school teachers in any discipline. Applicants are asked describe how they help students become active and responsible members of their communities. “I am amazed and inspired by the ...
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