---

School Board News Bulletin
August, 2003

---

ISAT scores mixed, PSAE scores flat over test years

Combined state and local taxes in Illinois well below average

State board releases preliminary school choice list

Fifty-four more eliminated from beleaguered ISBE staff

State downsizes teacher shortage forecast by 14,000

New book aims to help explain voucher plans

New state requirements in effect for Illinois school administrators

NEWS FROM IASB

Fall division meetings will cover hot topics

Keep up with Online Update

Get revised school finance information on IASB's Web site

More boards posting their policies…with IASB's help

Alliance legislative reports available online from IASB

NEWS HEADLINES

RECENT MAILINGS FROM IASB

WORKSHOPS & MEETINGS

Seminars set on seeking the superintendency

Innovative education technology leaders to convene in the fall

Annual Conference housing exchange offered via Web

LEGISLATIVE ACTION

LEGAL F.A.Q.

Classified Advertisement

ISAT scores mixed, PSAE scores flat over test years

State's standardized tests also find math scores up, achievement gaps narrowing

Five-year standardized testing results for Illinois elementary students show improved scores in mathematics in all grades tested, and a narrowing in the achievement gap in many grade levels and subjects for low-income and minority students.

New statewide test results released July 23 by ISBE revealed only marginal change, however, in elementary school reading scores and little improvement over three years in all subjects tested at the 11th grade level.

"The results are mixed," summarized Robert E. Schiller, State Superintendent of Education. "For the first time, we have five years of results on the ISAT -- numbers that can legitimately be described as showing a trend. The trend is encouraging in mathematics and not so encouraging in reading. Overall, though, student performance is flat and we can't be pleased."

In specific areas, the results showed:

• ISAT Math: The five-year trend data shows continuous increases at all grade levels, with the percentage of students meeting or exceeding state standards rising from 68.3 to 75.7 in grade three, 55.6 to 68.3 in grade five and 42.9 to 53.1 in grade eight.
• Achievement gaps: In numerous subjects and grade levels, black, Hispanic and low-income students showed significant improvement in narrowing the achievement gap with white students. Particularly positive trends are seen for black students in third grade math, where the gap narrowed from 43.8 to 39.6 and seventh grade science (41.6 to 34.5); for Hispanic students in third grade math (26.9 to 19.1), fifth grade math (37.4 to 26.0), fourth grade science (41.1 to 33.4), seventh grade science (31.0 to 24.6), third grade writing (21.6 to 17.5) fifth grade writing (24.1 to 17.4) and eighth grade writing (28.9 to 17.0); and for low-income students in fifth grade math (37.4 to 31.0)
• IMAGE test: The Illinois Measure of Annual Growth in English is given to non-English-speaking students. Scores improved from 2002 to 2003 at virtually every grade and subject tested. Notable increases included eighth grade reading (18.5 to 31.3), fifth grade math (22.1 to 32.1), and eighth grade writing (28.2 to 39.5).
• IAA test: The Illinois Alternate Assessment is taken by students with significant disabilities. Notable increases are seen in third grade reading (44.7 to 59.0), fifth grade reading (42.9 to 57.0), eleventh grade writing (24.1 to 39.9) and seventh grade science (28.2 to 43.2).
• ISAT reading: Five-year scores are flat in grades three (61.3 in 1999, 62.0 in 2003) and five (60.3-60.4) and down in grade eight (72.2-63.7).
• Prairie State Achievement Exam: From 2001-03, the percentage of high school students meeting or exceeding standards fell in reading (57.5 to 56.4), math (53.9 to 53.3), writing (59.0 to 58.9) and social science (57.8 to 56.2). It increased slightly in science (50.2 to 51.3).

Schiller said for students to do well on state assessments, their curriculum must be aligned with the state standards. "It is as simple as that. I believe flat performance on the ISAT and the PSAE can be attributed in large part to that alignment not being present in enough Illinois schools," he said.

Results of a longitudinal study conducted last year for ISBE by University of Illinois researchers indicated that the number of districts that have aligned their curriculum with the Illinois Learning Standards has reached a plateau and seems to be "stuck." The same study indicates the beginnings of a causal relationship between those schools that implement the standards and improved performance on the state assessments, Schiller said.

The test results take on added significance in this and coming years in connection with the federal No Child Left Behind law. The reading and math results will be used to calculate "Adequate Yearly Progress" under the law and identify Title I schools that must offer school choice and Supplemental Educational Services.

In late July all Illinois school districts were sent their 2003 school-by-school test data for review. Districts have 45 days from receipt of the data to inform ISBE of any corrections they believe should be made. Districts have until October 31 to share the report card information with their communities.

Based on preliminary data, schools that likely will be required to offer choice this school year have been alerted to that requirement. A final and complete list of such schools will be released by ISBE later this summer, Schiller said.

Data charts for all grades and subjects tested can be viewed at www.isbe.net/news/2003/isat_charts.pdf.

Source: ISBE.

Table of Contents

Combined state and local taxes in Illinois well below average

Ever wonder whether local voters sometimes reject school taxes because their tax burden truly is too great? The fact is, Illinois ranked next-to-last in the Midwest in terms of state and local taxes paid per $1,000 of personal income in 1999 (the latest year for which data is available), at $105 per $1,000 of personal income. The U.S. average was $110.

Minnesota had the highest tax burden in the region at $123 per $1,000; followed by: Michigan at $113; Ohio at nearly $110; Iowa at $108; Illinois at $105; and Indiana at less than $105.

Information reported by the Taxpayers' Federation of Illinois also shows, however, that Illinois governments rely considerably more on local property taxes and much less on state income taxes than most other states.

Table of Contents

State board releases preliminary school choice list

On July 7 the ISBE released a preliminary list of districts it had contacted with an "early alert" by mail about which schools may have to offer school choice this fall. The list includes more than 500 schools - most of them in Chicago - that preliminary data indicated fell short of making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

The state-generated letter and list followed just days after preliminary math and reading scores from the ISAT and PSAE were released on July 23, according to ISBE (see story titled "ISAT scores mixed, PSAE scores flat over test years," on page 1).

The "early alert" letter notified schools that state law provides forty-five (45) days from the receipt of the data for school districts to verify the accuracy of their score information and notify ISBE of any discrepancies. If the district does not dispute the state data within forty-five (45) days of receiving it, the list is considered correct.

According to the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), Title I schools that fail to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two consecutive years must be identified as needing improvement. Technical assistance is to be provided and public school choice must be offered to these pupils by the start of the next school year.

Title I schools that fail to meet the state AYP standards for three consecutive years must offer pupils from low-income families the opportunity to receive tutoring and other supplemental academic enrichment services from a supplemental service provider of their parents' choice.

School board members and administrators should be aware that even if none of their local schools are mandated to begin offering school choice in 2003-2004, their schools might be faced with major challenges under the law in future years. For one thing, the bar will be raised every year, with higher proportions of each public school's students required to meet or exceed state academic standards until all students meet the standards by the 2013-14 school year. Experts say the consequences will only get tougher for schools that fail to produce rising quotas of students who can pass the state's standardized tests.

Beginning with the 2003 data, according to federal and state law, three criteria must be met in order to verify that a school makes AYP:

1. 40% or more of the students' test scores must be in the meets or exceeds level -- overall and by subgroup.
2. Schools must have a 95% participation rate on state assessments overall and by subgroup.
3. Elementary and middle schools must have an attendance rate of 88%. High schools must have a graduation rate of 65%.

According to ISBE, some of the schools on the list may have to offer

• public school choice; or
• public school choice and supplemental educational services; or
• public school choice, supplemental educational services, and corrective action.

ISBE officials anticipate that when all final calculations and data corrections are made some schools will be off the list, while others not reflected in the preliminary list will be added.

A final list of schools that failed to make Adequate Yearly Progress is expected to be released by late September. Meanwhile, the preliminary school choice list can be accessed on the Web site located at www.isbe.net/news/2003/preliminary_school_choice.pdf.

Table of Contents

Fifty-four more eliminated from beleaguered ISBE staff

ISBE, the state education agency whose budget was reduced by $21 million in July, announced July 27 that it would eliminate 54 more jobs by August 8. State Superintendent of Education Robert Schiller previewed the specifics of some of these employment cuts at an ISBE board meeting in Chicago. He said the cuts would include four positions in the non-public school recognition office, necessitating its closure and resultant cuts in services important to non-public schools.

The cuts also encompass 20 positions in ISBE's Department of Certification and Professional Preparation. Ten of those job cuts are in the Springfield office that handles teacher certification, as well as the certification program for administrators. Schiller estimated those reductions would lead to a seven-month delay in certification processing.

Schiller noted that after the 54 jobs were eliminated, ISBE would have 480 employees remaining. Four years ago, ISBE employed more than 800.

Source: The State Journal-Register, Springfield, "ISBE will eliminate 54," July 25, 2003.

Table of Contents

State downsizes teacher shortage forecast by 14,000

The Illinois State Board of Education is forecasting a reduced teacher shortage for the state's short-term future, at least as compared to last year at this time. The recently released Teacher Supply and Demand Report, 2002 forecasts a need for 44,000 more teachers in Illinois in the next three years. Last year's report forecast a need for roughly 30,000 more than that.

To view a copy of the latest complete report, visit the ISBE Web site at www.isbe.net/research/SupplyDemand02/02ESDfinal.pdf.

Table of Contents

New book aims to help explain voucher plans

NSBA has just announced the publication of Keep Public Education Public: Why Vouchers Are a Bad Idea, by Marcus Egan. Available through NSBA's Online Bookstore, this resource is designed to help local school leaders and anyone interested in lobbying on vouchers make their case accurately and effectively.

The 122-page book summarizes lessons learned and resources collected through years of studying vouchers. It frequently directs readers to NSBA's Voucher Strategy Center Web site (www.nsba.org/novouchers) for the most current information.

The book, item number 11-143, may be ordered online from NSBA for $25 ($20 discount price) at the following Web site: https://secure.nsba.org/pubs/item_info.cfm?ID=696.

Table of Contents

New state requirements in effect for Illinois school administrators

As mentioned in the July Newsbulletin, new certificate renewal requirements for public school administrators became effective July 1, 2003. An ISBE Web site offers information on this topic to help administrators understand the new requirements and begin the process of meeting them. For further information visit the Web site at www.isbe.state.il.us/recertification/certificate_renewal.htm.

Table of Contents

---

NEWS FROM IASB

---

Fall division meetings will cover hot topics

Numerous hot topics-from No Child Left Behind Act requirements to school funding issues-will be featured at this year's fall dinner meetings in IASB's 21 divisions. In addition to program presentations on the topics listed below, IASB Leadership and Development (L&D) awards will be handed out at these meetings. The latest information on division meetings can be found on the IASB Web site at www.iasb.com/calendar/calendar.cfm.

IASB board members are encouraged to attend one or more of these fall division meetings. Choose the meeting or meetings you would most like to attend from the following list:

Abe Lincoln Division
September 3, 6:15 p.m.
Heritage House, & later at IASB headquarters, Springfield
Program: Update on School Funding Issues, presented by Deanna Sullivan, Director of Governmental Relations, IASB; followed at IASB headquarters with Roaming IASB-A Tour and Learning Opportunity.

Northwest Division
September 4, 6:00 p.m.
Candlelight Inn, Sterling
Program: Meet Your Legislators, state officials respond to the following: 1) Their perceptions of the recent legislative session; 2) How school board members can help them do their job; 3) Their expectations for the next general assembly session. Invited guests include: Sen. Todd Sieben, Rep. Jerry Mitchell, Rep. Jim Sacia, and Lt. Governor Patrick Quinn.

Wabash Valley Division
September 9, 6:30 p.m.
Beecher City CUSD 20
Main Program: Update on School Funding Issues, presented by Deanna Sullivan, Director of Governmental Relations, IASB. Panel Sessions: Superintendent Evaluation Processes; Hot Topics (includes Changes to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act); Basic School Finance; Effective Meetings and Principal's Roundtable.

Starved Rock Division
September 11, 6:00 p.m.
Celebrations 150, Utica
Program: The Role and Future of the Regional Offices of Education, presented by William Novotney, Regional Superintendent, Regional Office 35, LaSalle County; and Bruce Dennison, Regional Superintendent, Regional Office 28, Bureau, Stark, Henry Counties.

Illini Division
September 23, 6:30 p.m.
Mattoon CUSD 2
Dinner Program: Update on School Funding Issues, presented by Deanna Sullivan, Director of Governmental Relations, IASB; followed by panel sessions on: 1) Multi-year administrative contracts; 2) Open Meetings Act Changes; 3) Effective meetings.

Southwestern Division
September 25, 6:30 p.m.
Red Bud CUSD 132
Dinner Program: Update on School Funding Issues, presented by Ben Schwarm, Associate Executive Director of Governmental Relations, IASB; followed by panel sessions on: 1) Regional Offices of Education services update; 2) Current legal issues and concerns; 3) How to outlast, outplay, and out-perform on the way to success; and 4) Tough talk: How to deal with a hostile media.

North/West Cook Divisions
September 29, 6:00 p.m.
Rosewood, Rosemont
Program: Lobbying on Behalf of Public Education, presented by: State Rep. Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi, former school board member and current state legislator; Donna Baiocchi, Executive Director and lobbyist for ED-RED; Alva Kreutzer, Member, THSD 214 Board of Education, Arlington Heights; and Ben Schwarm, Associate Executive Director, IASB.

Three Rivers Division
September 30, 6:00 p.m.
Renaissance Center, Joliet
Program: Building Students' Character, Attitudes and Relationships: What Role Can Your School District Play?, presented by Patrick Halloran, Principal, Coal City High School, Coal City CUSD 1.

DuPage Division
September 30, 6:00 p.m.
The Carlisle, Lombard
Program: Building and Supporting Community Values, Presenters: Gary Smit, Superintendent, Lombard Dist. 44; Donell Bullock, Executive Director, Healthy DuPage; Ken Fisher, Director, Healthy DuPage Character Development Coalition.

Kishwaukee Division
October 1, 5:30 p.m.
Aurora East USD 131
Program: New Rules for Executive Session, presented by Melinda Selbee, IASB General Counsel.

Shawnee Division
October 2, 6:30 p.m.
Jonesboro CCSD 43
Program: Update on School Funding Issues, presented by Ben Schwarm, Associate Executive Director of Governmental Relations, IASB; followed by panel sessions as follows: 1) Basic school finance; 2) No Child Left Behind Act, an update; 3) The consolidation process; 4) Board presidents roundtable.

Corn Belt Division
October 7
Pontiac THSD 90

Egyptian Division
October 7, 6:30 pm
Hamilton Co CUSD 10Jr./Sr. High School, McLeansboro

Blackhawk Division
October 21, 6:00 pm
Orion CUSD 223

Kaskaskia Division
October 22
Vandalia CUSD 203

Central IL Valley Division
October 22, 6:00 pm
Dunlap CUSD 323
Ridgeview Elementary, Peoria

Two Rivers Division
October 28
Franklin CUSD 1

Western Division
October 28
Spoon River Valley Jr./Sr. High School

South Cook Division
October 29, 6:00 p.m.
Radisson Hotel Alsip

Lake County Division
October 29, 6:30 p.m.
To be determined

Table of Contents

Keep up with Online Update

Want an easy way to keep abreast of the frequent additions and changes to the IASB Web site? Just visit the IASB home page and subscribe to the Online Update, a periodic email newsletter that will do the job for you.

The IASB Web site includes a wide range of publications -- including Alliance Legislative Reports, research and technical pieces -- as well as direct links to on-line policies, workshop registration, membership directories, a bookstore and numerous other services.

IASB Online Update will alert you to what's new on the Web site. The subscription form is at www.iasb.com/elinks.cfm.

Table of Contents

Get revised school finance information on IASB's Web site

Updated versions of popular IASB publications on school finance are now available for viewing and printing from the Association Web site in portable document format (PDF). One is Understanding School Finance, which can be accessed on the Web at ww.iasb.com/files/understandingsf.pdf. The other is Playing Fair with the Children of Illinois, available at www.iasb.com/files/playingfair.pdf.

Table of Contents

More boards posting their policies...with IASB's help

Four school boards have now contracted with IASB to post and maintain their policy manuals on the World Wide Web. The manuals are updated each time a board adopts a change in its policy. School leaders can peruse any or all of the policy manuals at the IASB Policy Services site, located at www.iasb.com/policy/policy2.html.

Table of Contents

Alliance legislative reports available online from IASB

Each edition of the Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance's Legislative Report is posted on the IASB Web site at www.iasb.com/files/alr_ menu.htm. Check the menu to be sure you have the most recent issue.

Table of Contents

State Board of Education officials recently rejected a proposal to launch a charter school in District U-46, Elgin, upholding a local school board ruling. State officials noted their unease about incomplete financial details and the absence of a school building for the school. (August 6, Daily Herald, Arlington) ... Lincolnshire-Prairie View District 103 plans to nudge students towards eating healthier meals by cutting out foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol. Superintendent Scott Guziec said a school meals program evaluation found it was time to improve the school lunch menu. "The things that didn't meet the criteria we eliminated," Guziec said in reference to guidelines set by the Illinois Nutrition Education and Training Program, a nutrition Web resource found online at www.kidseatwell.org/ (July 17, Daily Herald, Arlington) ... Over objections from Lisle C.U. Dist. 202, the Lisle Village Board is close to creating a tax increment financing (TIF) district to freeze downtown property taxes for up to 23 years. Village trustees voted approval in August of a new review board and hearing process, and hired a Chicago law firm to guide them through the TIF creation. State law permits the creation of TIFs in "blighted" areas, notes Dist. 202 Superintendent Peter Lueck. "But if they think that this part of DuPage County is blighted, then the rest of the state is in serious trouble," Lueck said. (August 6, Chicago Tribune) ... A health report card could help parents address weight problems their children face, new research shows. The study appeared in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (August 12, Reuters).

Table of Contents

IASB regularly sends informational materials to all member districts. Here is a list of such items recently mailed to representatives of your district. For more information about any item, contact your board president or district superintendent or get in touch with IASB.

Digest of Bills Passed, 7/2/03 to board presidents and district superintendents.

Seeking the Superintendency seminar flyer, 8/6/03 to district superintendents.

Table of Contents

---

WORKSHOPS & MEETINGS

---

Seminars set on seeking the superintendency

Current superintendents and those seeking the superintendency are invited to attend an intensive one-day seminar in September designed to assist those seeking employment as a superintendent. The seminar, presented by IASB and the Illinois Association of School Administrators, will describe IASB's superintendency search process in detail.

Presentations and written materials also will assist participants in evaluating and improving their opportunities for professional advancement. The seminar, open to current superintendents and those seeking the superintendency, is scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (9 a.m. registration) on the following dates at these locations:

Wednesday, September 24
Signature Inn
3090 Stevenson Drive
Springfield, Illinois 217/529-6611

Thursday, September 25
Aramark
One Service Master Way
Downers Grove, Illinois630/271-2357

Topics to be covered will include:

• the search process - board - consultants
• vacancies - where are they? - how do you find out? - projections - brochures
• job strategies and ethics
• the portfolio - letter of application - resume - philosophy - statement of accomplishments - transcripts - references - placement papers
• interview process
• contract process - assessing the offer - review of the employment contract
• optional resume critique (your resume critiqued with a written response mailed to you).

Tuition is $80.00 per person including materials, rolls, coffee and lunch. Lodging is not included. Registration is recommended at least two days in advance, and will be accepted in the order received because space is limited. To register online, visit the Web site at https://www.iasb.com/calendar/ .

For more information, phone IASB at ext. 1118 or 1220.

Table of Contents

Innovative education technology leaders to convene in the fall

The 17th Annual Technology + Learning Conference will host a meeting of the best minds in education technology when innovative school leaders nationwide meet in Anaheim, California, October 22-24, 2003. T+L2 is sponsored by the National School Boards Association's ITTE: Education Technology Programs, and is co-sponsored by more than 30 leading education organizations.

The meeting offers school leaders an opportunity to focus on efforts at increasing student achievement as they share ideas on the use of technology with colleagues nationwide.

For registration information about the technology conference, visit the Web site at: www.nsba.org/t+l/attend/registration.cfm. Or call 1!800/950! 6722 to register. Or fax your registration form (available on the registration Web site) together with your credit card number or purchase order information to 703/519-6497, Attention: Registrar. Register before September 25 or you'll need to register on site.

Table of Contents

Annual Conference housing exchange offered via Web

If your district finds itself with some unneeded rooms at Chicago hotels for the Joint Annual Conference in November, please take a few minutes now to list your excess on the IASB Housing Exchange on the World Wide Web. Rooms at Conference Rates are usually spoken for early, leaving some school districts with unmet housing needs. Canceled rooms are not resold by the hotels at Conference rates; they are offered only at much higher standard rates.

By listing your excess rooms on the exchange you can recoup your room deposit if your excess rooms are picked up by another district. Just use your Web browser to post the excess rooms online at: www.iasb.com/housing_03/ .

Colleagues in another school district will be extremely grateful to you. Or, if your district happens to be in need of such housing, continue checking the listings on the Housing Exchange at the above Web address.

Table of Contents

---

LEGISLATIVE ACTION

---

Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich recently signed into law several more bills identified by the Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance as being of high interest to school leaders. Perhaps the most noteworthy of these is a new law temporarily allowing school boards to transfer school monies for any purpose between major school fund categories, to help school districts through the financial hard times many are facing.

Bills signed by the governor include:

Transfer of school board funds, HB 765 (Flider, D-Decatur) provides a two-year window (from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2005) for a school board to transfer funds among the Education Fund, the Operations and Maintenance Fund, and the Transportation Fund for any purpose, not just to meet one-time, non-recurring expenses and not just to the fund most in need (P.A. 93-393).

Teaching certificate renewal, HB 210 (Watson, R-Jacksonville) provides that a standard teaching certificate shall be renewed if the certificate holder has completed a certificate renewal plan before July 1, 2002, instead of having earned 120 continuing professional development units before July 1, 2002. (P.A. 93-81).

Impact fees, HB 528 (Franks, D-Woodstock) provides that, for purposes of implementing ordinances regarding developer donations or impact fees, "public grounds for schools" and "school grounds" includes school buildings or infrastructure necessitated by the development or subdivision in question. (P.A. 93-330)

School rate increase, earlier effective date, HB 3101 (Beaubien, R-Barrington Hills) provides that when a school district adopts an additional/supplemental budget as a result of an approved rate increase referendum, the county clerk shall include the new rate in the extension of taxes made during that fiscal year (P.A. 93-346).

Teacher induction and mentoring, SB 533 (Maloney, D-Chicago) requires public schools to develop, establish, and implement a new teacher induction and mentoring program to assist new teachers. The measure gives school districts that currently implement mentoring programs three years before they have to meet all of the criteria contained in this new law. It also states clearly that if the mentoring program is not fully funded, "schools are not required to develop or implement the program established" in the new act (P.A. 93-355).

Table of Contents

---

LEGAL F.A.Q.

---

How well do you know Illinois school laws?

Q: Does the State Board of Education have authority to collect school information from a school district to determine its level of recognition?

A: The State Board is authorized to collect information, data, test results, student performance and school improvement indicators with respect to school recognition standards, student performance and school improvement.

105 ILCS 5/2-3.25b

A: Schools that are not meeting standards of academic performance and improvement may be placed on a State Superintendent of Education's academic watch list. An on-site visitation is held to determine whether extenuating circumstances exist as to why a school or schools should not be placed on the list.

105 ILCS 5/2-3.25d

Source: Illinois School Law Survey, Seventh Edition, by Brian A. Braun, IASB, March 2002, Chapter 1, questions 1:310 and 1:320; for more information contact the IASB publications department at 217/528-9688, ext. 1108.

Table of Contents

---

Classified Advertisement

---

For Sale: Two classroom units installed in 2000 by Satellite Building Solutions, each unit 24' x 70' with two washrooms. HVAC plant for each classroom. Fire Alarm panel, horns, etc. For information, contact Greg Siska, District 86 at 815/740-3196.

Table of Contents

IASB ARCHIVES HOME

Illinois Association of School Boards

2921 Baker Drive
Springfield, Illinois 62703