Blogs

ISBE ANNOUNCES IMPORTANT WEBINARS - IL-POWER, ILLINOIS REPORT CARD & SUMMATIVE DESIGNATIONS

By Susan Homes posted 13 days ago
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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 23 days ago
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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 23 days ago
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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 24 days ago
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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 29 days ago
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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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Preliminary Summative Designations - FAQs and General Information

By Susan Homes posted 07-26-2018
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Colleagues: ISBE posted a new FAQ document on July 26 that provides information about the  preliminary summative designations that were sent to impacted schools ( lowest performing and under-performing)  in June. This document also provides information helpful to all Illinois leaders in preparation for Phase II designations that will be released in October. You can access the FAQ document here. The student growth calculation has moved from a linear regression model to  student growth percentiles (SGPs).  An updated video by Dr. John Gatta of the ECRA group is available for viewing here .  Several other non-substantive changes have been made as well ...
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Featured School Leader Paradigm Attribute: Generous

By PrinciPal Connection posted 07-26-2018
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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!  August's Featured Attribute Generous – Is kind, understanding, ...
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Cheating is a Symptom and not the Problem

By Charley Cass posted 06-28-2018
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My daughter plays travel softball and I take some comfort in being out of town for tournaments.  I get to "check out" as far as being the principal goes.  Nobody knows who you are in these distant lands and parents and their kids speak freely.  There are lots of times where you are just waiting for the next game to start and you sit in the stands and listen to how the kids talk and act.  This is the only time I get to be undercover and do real recon on what's current with kids.  Often these kids come from various states and they don't know me from Adam.  This season I have overheard a few conversations about cheating in class on tests or homework. ...
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NASSP Policy and Advocacy Update - 6/13/18

By Alison Maley posted 06-13-2018
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96 Get the news and tools you need to advocate for your school. View this email online.     Little Engagement from ED Commission on School Safety Three months have passed since the Trump administration created a national “School Safety Commission” at the Department of Education in response to the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School, but there has been little progress in that time regarding the development of real solutions to the violence. Meanwhile, there have been seven more school shootings, ...
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Alliance Legislative Report 100-72: Governor Signs Budget Bills

By Advocacy In Action posted 06-07-2018
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Governor Bruce Rauner signed the Fiscal Year 2019 State budget into law on Monday. In a rare display of bipartisanship, the Illinois General Assembly approved a full year State budget – balanced and on time – on May 31. Details of the spending plan were contained in the last Alliance Legislative Report . Surrounded by legislators from both parties and from both chambers, the Governor presided over a bill signing ceremony in the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. Lawmakers are not slated to return to the Capitol until after the General Election in November. HB 109 , the appropriations bill, is now Public Act 100-0586. HB 3342 , the Budget ...
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