ISAT scores point to continued improvement
Preliminary scores in Chicago show biggest growth in math
For the second straight year, Chicago District 299 officials can point to rising scores on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). The results suggest that statewide ISAT scores—to be released later this year—will likely be up again as well. Indeed, last year's scores in Chicago schools largely tracked average scores of schools statewide.
Overall, 64.1 percent of the Chicago students met or exceeded state standards on the ISAT – up from the previous high of 61.8, which was recorded last year. That jump marks the seventh straight year of improvement, although changes made in the test last year make comparisons problematic.
Student scores increased in reading (59.1 to 60.9 percent that met or exceeded standards) and even higher in math (64.0 to 68.6), but fell from last year in science (63.3 to 60.4).
Chicago District 299, the state's largest district based on enrollment, is not the only district to see continued improvement. The state's second-largest district, School District U-46, Elgin, saw more students at every elementary and middle-school grade level pass the 2006-07 ISAT's standardized tests in math and reading.
District U-46 students made "steady progress" in math and reading, according to district U-46 data coordinator Ed DeYoung. DeYoung revealed preliminary results from the ISAT for elementary and middle school students at a July 23 school board meeting.
The No Child Left Behind bar was set higher this year. For a school to be considered passing, 55 percent of its students must meet standards, which represents a jump from 47.5 percent last year.
U-46 students posted substantial gains at the middle-school level, a focus of last year's district improvement plan.
About 80 percent of U-46 eighth-graders met standards in reading last year, compared with 75 percent in 2005-06. About 85 percent of eighth-graders met standards in math, up from 79 percent the year before.
English learners also made substantial gains, again at the middle-school level.
The number of English language learners who passed the middle-school math test increased by 14 percentage points, to 50 percent.
The federal government requires districts to track the progress of certain groups of students, including English learners, Hispanic, black and low-income students.
The ISAT tests 4th and 7th graders in science. Grade seven science scores in Chicago dropped by 5.7 percentage points to 62.8 percent. Chicago's fourth-grade science scores were flat, with 57.4 percent passing in both years. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, who had urged the district to place greater emphasis on science, was not happy about the dip in science scores, because "when businesses don't see the preparation of students in math, science and technology, they basically move jobs away from America, " Daley told the Chicago Tribune.
Some critics have questioned last year's state test results, claiming that impressive gains owed more to a revamped test than to improved pupil performance. The retooled test allows students more time and includes a more colorful format considered easier for students to read. The revised test, which also included new questions, timing requirements and scoring procedures, was administered for the first time last year.
ISAT test results ultimately are used to determine Adequate Yearly Progress school status reports. AYP reports have been issued to individual districts by Aug. 1. For information on statewide test results when they become available this summer, visit the ISBE Web site at: www.isbe.net.
Schools get funds for key after-school programs
The Illinois State Board of Education recently awarded $7.4 million for after-school tutoring and mentoring programs at 17 Illinois schools district and regional offices of education (ROEs). The 21st Century Community Learning Center grants, a key component of the No Child Left Behind Act, primarily serve students from low-income school districts. The aim is to provide enrichment opportunities to students in areas where extra help is needed. These grants will primarily serve students who attend schools with a population of at least 40 percent from low-income families.
Academic assistance must focus on reading and mathematics, concentrating on the Illinois Learning Standards and locally developed standards in core subject areas that complement the regular academic program.
In addition to tutoring and mentoring, the targeted programs can also provide support for youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, technology education programs, art, music and recreation programs, etc., all to enhance the academic component of the program. Other activities supported by the grants may include counseling and character education, as well as parental involvement activities and extended library hours.
Eighty-two proposals totaling more than $37 million were received from Illinois public school districts, charter schools, regional offices of education, universities, and community organizations throughout Illinois.
This 21st Century grant is made for a five-year period, dependent upon sufficient funding from the federal government for future years, and the program having satisfactory progress in the preceding year. The FY 2008 grants end June 30, 2008, with the possibility of renewal through FY 2012. The list of school grant recipients is shown on this page. Eighteen community groups also won grants.
State budget delays threaten to hold up state aid payments
All the squabbling in Springfield that is tying up the state budget this year may soon trickle downhill to local communities that await critical state funding.
The legislature recently extended last year's state budget through July, so the payments have continued to come in for the most part. But revenue uncertainty is becoming a major concern in many local school districts.
The lack of a firm state budget makes school district planning for the fiscal year 2008 budget extremely difficult. Fortunately, the state sent out the last two state aid payments due school districts at the end of June just prior to the legislative stalemate, so most school districts can cover their outstanding expenses. Advancing the final two payments each year is critical for school districts around the state as they try to keep their district budgets balanced.
In past years of revenue shortfalls, governors have sometimes delayed the 23rd and 24th state aid payments until the following fiscal year. This is problematic for school districts, which budget the final two payments as part of their current fiscal year that ends each year on July 1. School leaders say that delaying the payments until July makes the difference between a balanced budget and one running a deficit.
"Our dilemma, as we think of the 2008 fiscal budget, is where we will be with grant allocation and state aid applied for," said Pekin District 108 Superintendent Bill Link. The 2007-2008 fiscal budget starts in August, and local school budgets are typically submitted by the end of September.
School district state aid, which accounts for one-third of public school revenue in Illinois, is based on average daily attendance. But the base amount for each child is set by the legislature. Not knowing the true base yet, Link and other superintendents say their school districts are using last year's base. If it goes up, most districts should receive some extra funding. But what if it goes down?
Most districts also use state grants for some programming. But local school leaders around the state do not know if those programs will be funded or at what level.
A bigger concern for most, however, would be general state aid payments to public schools, the first of which is scheduled to be made for each fiscal year as soon as possible after Aug. 10. If there is no budget those August payments cannot go out, according to state finance experts.
Section 18-11 of the School Code provides for 24 semimonthly General State Aid payments to be made during the months of August through July. These payments are in an amount equal to 1/24 of the total amount to be distributed. By law these payments are to be made as soon as possible after the 10th and 20th days of each month.
"We have been getting some calls from schools with questions," said Matt Vanover, a spokesman for ISBE.
"Funding for schools is a combination of local and state resources, so schools would be able to draw upon those other resources to move forward with opening and paying salaries, those types of things," Vanover said. "However, schools that rely heavily on general state aid would have a more difficult time."
He added that school budgets do not have to be finalized until Sep. 30, the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year, although school administrators want to prepare spending plans much earlier.
Administrators agree with Vanover that if state aid payments are not made on time, most schools will still open on schedule, but the shortfall in anticipated revenue will lead to dipping into cash reserves or borrowing in many districts. Some school boards already have discussed the possibility of borrowing through tax anticipation warrants. Other districts are considering actually delaying the start of school this fall until a state budget is in place.
Note: at press time it was announced the state will make available up to $175 million for state aid payments to school districts in financial need.
Symposium planned on criminal history records
In an effort to inform the public about the state's Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) program, the Illinois State Police, Bureau of Identification in conjunction with the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, will be holding their annual Fall Criminal History Record Information Symposium on Wednesday, Sep.19, at the Capitol City Center in Springfield.
Organizers say that in order to protect children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, it is important that CHRI users make good hiring and licensing decisions regarding potential child care providers, health care workers, local governmental, school, and retail employees, as well as general employment staff. Thus they will educate attendees on the following matters:
More information, including the registration form, is available online at: http://www.isbe.net/pdf/CB_symposium_2007.pdf .
The registration deadline is Friday, Aug. 31. For additional questions, contact Tammi S. Kestel, Assistant Bureau Chief, Illinois Sate Police, Bureau of Identification, at: Tammi_Kestel@isp.state.il.us.
Carpentersville CUSD 300 chooses to build
'green' in construction of high school
When building a new facility for Hampshire High School's 2,500 students, board members and administrators in Carpentersville CUSD 300 chose to build "green." The decision, predicted to save over $1 million over the life of the new "ice storage system," is designed to: 1) create high-performance classrooms that optimize students' learning environment; 2) increase faculty retention, and improve student test scores; 3) reduce energy consumption, benefiting the school, community and environment.
The heart of the ice storage system is a dual-temperature chiller. The chiller, made by Trane, operates in standard cooling mode during the day and in ice-making mode at night. The ice is stored in tanks and is used to provide cooling to the building the next day during on-peak hours.
This solution improves the reliability of the power grid by shifting peak cooling loads to off-peak hours. Off-peak electricity is less expensive than on-peak, and because the most efficient power plants are running during the off-peak hours, there are substantial environmental benefits as well.
The entire job is scheduled to be complete by August 2008.
Board member recalled to active Guard duty,
plans to meet board duties from Iraq
Woodhull - AlWood school board member Dan Swanson, re-elected to another term this spring and serving as board secretary, told the board in June he has been re-called to active duty in the National Guard, but that he will try to serve his board role from Iraq.
Swanson left July 1, reporting to Fort Benning, Ga., for weapons training, convoy operation and to learn about Iraq culture. By late July, he said he was to report to Iraq.
"In this day of (advanced electronic) technology, I hope to continue communications with the school and administration. I would like to continue membership on the school board and will have access to technology," Swanson said.
"My tour is for 400 days, I'll probably return August of 2008, and I appreciate the support I have had in the past regarding military duty," he added.
"We thank you for your service to our country, it means a lot to you and to us too, and good luck," board president Mike Holt said.
Remember key annual conference registration and housing deadlines
October 12 is the deadline for IASB to receive registration and housing forms from school leaders and others who wish to take part in the 2007 Joint Annual Conference of the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators and Illinois Association of School Business Officials.
More than 5,000 school board members and administrators are expected for this three-day annual event, the nation's largest state education conference. The event usually attracts an equal number of state and regional educators and officials, university staff, exhibitors and guests.
This year's Conference is set for Nov. 16-18 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago and Sheraton Chicago hotels. This will be the 93rd annual conference of IASB and the 75th joint conference with IASA and Illinois ASBO.
Both first-timers and veterans will find a full agenda designed to meet their needs. The Conference will feature:
In addition, on Friday morning before the Conference opens, the sponsoring organizations offer a variety of in-depth workshops and a tour of some Chicago Public Schools. The prospective date for mailing of a conference preview is in early September.
Bills on school district accountability pending
Key legislation also includes bills on school construction funding, etc.
Although Illinois lawmakers have been unable to agree on a state budget for fiscal year 2008, many education bills have been adopted in the 2007 session. A few bills (most containing unfunded mandates) were approved over school management's objections, but scores of other bills were either derailed by Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance lobbyists or amended to a form more favorable to school districts.
Bills were approved to mandate some new school policies and procedures, including legislation on bullying, pest management, "green cleaning supplies, biometric information, summer food programs, school bus call numbers, and school bus inspections." The recent legislation of greatest note includes bills for:
District Accountability: As reported in the July Newsbulletin, many legislators have vowed that no new substantial education revenues would be made available without corresponding school "accountability" measures. Now, even though it looks as if education revenues will not be increased significantly, the drum beat for school district accountability continues.
Members of the legislature's "Education Caucus" are still pushing for legislation that requires mandated school board training, additional school district reporting of financial data, new school district audits, and "oversight" committees that must approve school district budgets. If adopted all of these activities would be required, and school administrators and boards would need to seek advice from their school attorneys about how best to comply.
Local school leaders are being asked by school management lobbyists to contact their State Representatives and Senators to discuss the ramifications of the proposed new mandated requirements on school districts and what they describe as the usurpation of local district decision-making authority. Points school advocates have been making to legislators include the following:
Third Party Contracts: The legislature approved HB 1347, which will significantly curtail the school district practice of contracting for services such as transportation, food service, and janitorial services by adding burdensome new restrictions for a school board entering into a contract with a third party to perform such non-instructional services. The bill states that no contract could be entered into with a third party during the term of a collective bargaining agreement – this could mean years between opportunities to contract out for services. It also contains a provision that requires the third party to provide "comparable" insurance and benefits. The term "comparable" is not defined, which leads to confusion about what is acceptable. It could require third party contractors to increase their overhead costs, making it cost prohibitive for a school district to use such services. HB 1347 was sent to the governor on June 20, and was pending his action at press time.
Local School Construction Funding: Another bill approved by both houses addresses school construction. SB 835 will allow a county board to place a question on the ballot to impose a sales tax for distribution to school districts within the county whose voters approve the measure for school district facility needs. The bill was approved by both chambers and is pending the governor's action.
Drivers' Education Changes: SB 172 adds tough new standards for drivers' education, the result of a task force headed by Secretary of State Jesse White. The bill makes several significant changes regarding instruction permits, graduated drivers' licenses, and curfews and passenger limits for young drivers. It also deletes the provisions that allow school districts to use proficiency examinations for practice driving and prohibits the use of driving simulators. Six hours of driving – in a car with an instructor – would be required.
Utility Rate Relief: Both the House and Senate did approve a bill on the utility rate issue in late July. A billion dollars in electricity rate relief is reportedly contained in SB 1592. The bill goes to the Governor for consideration.
Constitutional Convention: The House of Representatives narrowly approved a resolution that urges voters to support a call next year for a constitutional convention. HR 25 does not have the binding authority of law, but its approval can be seen as a gauge of the support the concept has in the House.
The question will be proposed statewide in the November General Election – and if approved by three-fifths of those voting on the question or a majority of those voting in the election – a constitutional convention would be called, and changes could be made to any portion of the document. According to HR 25, the constitution should be revisited to strengthen and clarify language regarding school funding, election campaign financing, and property tax assessment.
Descriptions of other bills now on the governor's desk are contained in the 2007 edition of IASB's Digest of Bills Passed, compiled by the Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance. It was recently published and sent to school districts, but it can also be found on the Association's Web site at: http://www.iasb.com/govrel/digest07.cfm.
Student mental health is latest Journal subject
One in 10 Illinois students suffer from some kind of mental disorder, but nearly 80 percent of those students go undiagnosed and untreated. See how one such student found the help he needed and learn more about Illinois' Social and Emotional Learning Standards in the September/October issue of The Illinois School Board Journal.
Channahon (June 27, Morris Daily Herald) District 17 will no longer allow home-schooled or parochial school students to participate in the district's extracurricular sports and activities that require pupil grades to be monitored.
Chicago (June 22, Chicago Tribune) More District 299 students are in summer school for skipping class, even though the overall number of pupils in summer school this year has decreased. Pupils with nine or more unexcused absences, for example, were generally required to attend summer school.
Decatur (July 16, Herald & Review, Decatur) Decatur District 61 has voted to relax its policy on cell phones at school. The new policy will allow students to carry their phones as long as they are off and out of sight. Previously phones had to be left in cars or lockers, which had led to many being stolen. Phones will be confiscated if students do not follow the rules.
DeKalb (July 10, Daily Chronicle) The city council is reviewing a proposed intergovernmental agreement that would require the municipalities of Malta and Cortland to implement school impact fees that DeKalb initiated last year. As part of an overhaul of the fees it charges on new home construction and turns over to DeKalb CUSD 428, the city created "school transition" and "school capital" fees.
Naperville (June 6, Naperville Sun) A District 203 "school perception" study released on June 4 revealed parents and students are concerned over bullying, but found "an evolving definition of bullying that is based more on embarrassment and social status than actual physical abuse." Parents indicated that while they're hardly concerned for the physical safety of their children when they're at school, bullying is one of their foremost concerns. Students ranked it at the top of their list of concerns. Superintendent Alan Leis said these findings seem to contradict what the district has been told by students through a more data-driven survey.
Peoria (June 3, The Journal Star) Hundreds gathered to emphasize their school's more positive qualities as the Manual High School community came together in support of the Peoria District 150-wide "Celebrating Our Children's Successes" on June 2.
Quincy (June 22, Herald-Whig) Two members of the Quincy District 172 board made a stand against the prevailing wage law by voting against a resolution to adopt the measure on June 20. Board members Glenn Bemis and Jeff Mays cited personal objections to the law, which they said adds about 25 percent to the cost of construction projects. Governmental bodies are required each year to agree to pay laborers a specific minimum wage on public projects. Members of boards that fail to pass the law could be subject to the statutory penalties of a Class A misdemeanor.
Rockford (June 6, Rockford Register Star) State test results from 2006 showed vast educational improvement in Rockford and urban elementary schools across Illinois. But now analysts with the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford question whether the results were a reflection of academic improvement in the classroom or more about changes to the test itself.
Rockford (June 12, Rockford Register Star) Anti-truancy efforts have begun to pay off for Rockford District 205. In 2006, Rockford's chronic truancy rate was 9.6 percent, compared with a statewide average of 2.2 percent. Recent numbers show the rate declining to 6.7 percent.
Registration opens for yearly superintendents' conference
The Illinois State Board of Education recently announced the 30th annual Superintendents' Conference to be held Thursday and Friday, Sept. 6 and 7 at the Hilton Springfield Hotel. Registration for this annual event is now open. The registration brochure is posted online at http://www.isbe.net/supts_conf/supts_conference_reg.pdf.
Ronald F. Ferguson will serve as the keynote speaker. A lecturer in public policy, he is an economist and senior research associate at the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy and has taught at Harvard since 1983. Much of his research since the mid-1990s has focused on racial achievement gaps, and it has appeared in publications of the National Research Council, the Brookings Institution, and the U.S. Department of Education, in addition to various books and scholarly journals. His teachings and publications cover a variety of issues related to education and economic development.
For conference questions, contact Leigh Ann Smith at 217/782-6434 or via e-mail at lsmith@isbe.net.
ISBE, Arts Council work together to boost programs
On June 20, ISBE and the Illinois Arts Council announced $2 million in grants to expand arts and foreign language programming at public schools. Twenty-seven districts across the state will receive the implementation grants that range from $22,000 to $100,000, depending on the size of the district, the scope of the program and the level of planning required.
This is the second year for the program. A list of recipients is contained on the IASB Web site at www.iasb.com.
Basics of School District Law and Finance workshops set
The Basics of School Finance workshop will be offered at the Joint Annual Conference in November, and the Basics of School Law workshop will be offered regionally in early 2008.
Participation earns accreditation for IASB's Master School Board Member Program with a total of 15 credits.
Advance registration is required, and tuition includes materials and meals. A PDF copy of the registration form is available online at http://www.iasb.com .
Due to overwhelming response to IASB's new board member workshops presented in the spring, IASB offered one additional opportunity to attend the Basics of School District Governance workshop. This day-and-a-half workshop was offered on Aug. 17-18, at IASB's Lombard office.
Participation earns accreditation for IASB's Master School Board Member Program – with a total of 15 credits. It also fulfills the Governance requirement for IASB's School Board LeaderShop Academy.
'New' member district joins IASB rolls again
Bloom THSD 206 in the Association's South Cook Division has rejoined IASB. They were not a member district last year but had been previously. This addition to membership brings the district count to:
Thus, 98 percent of all Illinois school districts now belong to IASB. That represents the highest proportion of membership the Association has ever garnered.
August 24-25 – IASB Board of Directors Retreat, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles
August 25 – IASB Board of Directors' Meeting, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles
September 3 – Labor Day
September 6-7 – ISBE Annual Superintendents Conference, Springfield Hilton
September 11 – Wabash Valley Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Jasper Co. CUSD 1, Newton, Time To Be Announced
September 13 – Rosh Hashanah
September 18 – Starved Rock Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Celebrations, Utica, 6 p.m.
September 19 – Professional Advancement Seminar: Seeking the Superintendency, Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center, Springfield, Registration – 9 a.m.; Seminar - 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
September 19 – DuPage Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Wheaton-Warrenville CUSD 200, 6 p.m.
September 20 – Professional Advancement Seminar: Seeking the Superintendency, IASB Lombard Office, Registration - 9 a.m.; Seminar - 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
September 22 – Yom Kippur
September 27 – Illini Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Westville CUSD 2, Time To Be Announced
September 27 – Southwestern Division Fall Dinner Meeting, Collinsville CUSD 10, 6 p.m.
This newsletter is published monthly by the Illinois Association of School Boards for member boards of education and their superintendents. The Illinois Association of School Boards, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, is a voluntary association of local boards of education and is not affiliated with any branch of government.
James Russell, Director of Publications
Gary Adkins, Editor
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