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School Board News Bulletin
October 1998

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GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES MAKE PROMISES

Average SAT math score hits 27-year high; Illinois seniors Score better still

Emergency rule limits ISBE purchases

Round Lake District 116 adopts impact fee schedule

COLE AWARD WINNERS CHOSEN

New test to debut in February

THOSE WHO EXCEL AWARD WINNERS NAMED

PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE - Rick E. Heironimus, Springfield District 186 Board Member

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

THE NATIONAL SCENE

Several Christian groups poised to exit public schools

Nationwide awards program seeks top youth volunteers

FEDERAL UPDATE

$1.215 million federal grant awarded to Illinois charter schools

TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS

NSBA links to achievement

RESOURCES

School marketing plans

New source of funds

Internet Resources

RESEARCH REPORTS

No college often means no job

More schools gain Internet access

WORKSHOPS & MEETINGS

Collaboration, partnership are focus of workshop

Grassroots sessions to gauge views on schools

Recent mailings from IASB

Classified Ads

The major-party candidates for Governor, George Ryan and Glenn Poshard, both have made education a central theme in their campaigns this fall, promising improved school funding and substantive education changes.

On school funding, Republican Secretary of State George Ryan has said he will dedicate 51 percent of new revenue in state coffers over the next four years to education, making possible the hiring of 10,000 new classroom teachers. Ryan calculates his plan would provide $2 billion in additional funding for schools over the next four years.

Meanwhile U.S. Representative Glenn Poshard has pledged to eliminate seven tax loopholes and thus garner

$405 million to help fund education, with another $400 million in new money for schools derived equally from current budget surplus and other sources.

Other proposals from the candidates’ education platforms were as follows.

* honor the sound financial structure now in place for the next three years and to provide new funds to continue raising the foundation level

* continue efforts to close the funding gap between the state’s wealthiest and neediest school districts

* accomplish new funding goals without increasing taxes or requiring homeowners to pay more

* implement the $3 billion school construction program created by H.B. 452 and make available an additional $1 billion in funds for school construction

* help school districts hire 10,000 new teachers

* restore and increase funding for categorical grants, including reading improvement and early childhood block grants, restoring $100 million in other categoricals this year and providing $200 million more in his first budget for special education, transportation and other priority needs

* place moratoriums on new reforms and testing changes

* give more resources to partnership schools between employers and schools in order to offer on-the-job training

* expand pre-kindergarten program to serve all three to five year-old children identified as "at risk"

* push for smaller class sizes, with initial emphasis on Academic Watch List schools reducing class size to 18 students

* expand full-day kindergarten opportunities

* make the State Board of Education a working partner with schools to improve learning and teaching

* expand assistance to schools performing poorly—and increase funds to project Jumpstart

* allow teachers to use the results of the state testing program in assigning grades to students

* launch a K-6 reading intervention program providing "companions" and tutors for kids not reading at their grade level

* provide funding to expand ISBE summer institutes that will focus on giving teachers the latest in reading research methods and materials

* earmark funds to staff development—make this a budget item and increase it until it amounts to 1 percent of statewide GSA expenditures.

* guarantee that each classroom has access to Internet

* provide funding to expand the school day in high-crime areas to reduce juvenile crime after school hours

* add another $1 billion to the school construction bond program.

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Average SAT math score hits 27-year high; Illinois seniors SCOre better still

The average 1998 SAT mathematics score nationwide has reach 512, the highest in 27 years and one point above last year’s level, but the average SAT verbal score nationally is 505, the same as last year.

Roughly 1.2 million students took the SAT this year, however, compared to 1.1 million last year. Typically scores can be expected to fall as more students take a particular college en-trance exam such as the SAT or ACT.

While only 13 percent of Illinois seniors took the SAT, they continued to exceed the national averages on both the mathematics and verbal portions of the test, achieving an average verbal score of 564, and an average math score of 581. Illinois student scores rose by two points on the verbal portion of the test, and by three points on the math portion after hitting a 10-year high last fall. No state with an equal or higher percentage of students taking the SAT exam achieved higher scores this year.

Illinois students routinely score well on college entrance exams, even when scores are adjusted for the proportion of students taking the exams. A 1996 Harvard study showed Illinois students ranked fifth best on the SATs when scores were adjusted for fair comparison between states.

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Emergency rule limits ISBE purchases

School districts anticipating having the state make purchases to benefit them should know about an emergency rule governing procurement activities for the Illinois State Board of Education. The rule took effect September 21, for a maximum of 150 days. The rule incorporates the rules promulgated by the Illinois Department of Central Manage-ment Services. The rules implement the Illinois Procurement Code [30 ILCS 500], which replaced the Illinois Purchasing Act, and will govern all purchasing by the State Board while rules specific to this agency are being prepared. For a copy of the rule, contact Sally Vogl, Agency Rules Coordinator, at 217/782-3950.

Source: Illinois State Board of Education.

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Round Lake District 116 adopts impact fee schedule

The Board of Education of Round Lake C.U. District 116 recently adopted a standardized schedule of impact fees. Until the board’s adoption of the fee schedule there was no set amount charged in impact fees. Developers in the District 116 area sometimes paid as little as $50 per bedroom to local schools for newly built structures.

"We negotiated with each individual developer until we got to a number we agreed on or that a village enforced," said Kurt Valentin, Director of Business Affairs for District 116. "We’ve gone as low as $50 a bedroom and as high as $1,000 and $2,000 in two developments."

Seeking to define a set of fees that would adequately provide for students coming into the district because of development, the board contracted with Donald Skidmore, a retired superintendent who is considered an expert on Lake County impact fees.

For more information, contact Kurt Valentin at District 116 offices, phone 847/546-5522.

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COLE AWARD WINNERS CHOSEN

Ten Illinois newspapers were recognized in the 1998 Robert M. Cole competition for best coverage of local school board issues. The contest is sponsored by IASB and conducted by the Illinois Press Association. Among the larger newspapers, the Cole Award plaque went to the Wednesday Journal, Oak Park, last year’s second honorable mention winner; while among the smaller newspapers, The Free Press Advocate, Wilmington, won top honors for the first time.

The State Journal-Register, in Springfield, and the Glen News, Glen Ellyn, finished second and third, respectively, among the larger papers. Large paper Honorable Mention went to the Rockford Register. Among smaller papers, the second-place winner was the Breeze-Courier, Taylorville, which also won second prize last year; and the third-place winner was the Paris Beacon-News. Meanwhile, First Honorable Mention went to The Enterprise, Plainfield; Second Honorable Mention went to the Salem Times-Commoner; and Third Honorable Mention went to the Morris Daily Herald.

More than 100 different newspapers have received recognition in the 19 years IASB has sponsored the competition. The awards are named in honor of the Association’s first full-time executive director.

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New test to debut in February

On February 1-11, 1999, the first statewide exams will be administered to weigh student progress toward meeting the Illinois Learning Standards. The new Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) will be phased in to replace the IGAP tests. In 1999 the ISAT will test writing, reading and mathematics achievement at grades 3, 5, 8 and 10.

In February 2001, social sciences and science achievement will be assessed at grades 4, 7 and 11. Optional exams will begin in 2002 for foreign languages in grades 4, 7 and 11. IGAP tests will continue to be administered, however, in social sciences, science, physical development, fine arts and health until ISAT subject-area tests are ready to be administered.

The State Board of Education reports that the new tests will be more challenging and are expected to yield more useful data for improved teaching and learning. For further information about state testing, visit the ISBE website at: http://www.isbe. state.il or contact Eunice Greer, division administrator for Standards and Assessment, at 217/782-4823.

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THOSE WHO EXCEL AWARD WINNERS NAMED

Thirteen school board members were among the many individuals and groups honored by the State Board of Education this year for their outstanding contributions to Illinois schools. The top award winners in the 25th annual event were recognized at a banquet October 17 in Rosemont.

Three levels of awards in seven categories were presented this year. In addition to the categories of classroom teacher, school administrator, student support personnel, educational service personnel, and school board member or other volunteer, two new categories were added this year for teams and learning organizations.

The Winners

Among the board members receiving Those Who Excel awards was IASB At-Large Director Rick E. Heironimus, Springfield District 186. Heironimus won the highest level award, the award of excellence.

In addition to Heironimus, the following board members were award winners this year: Ralph A. Sabetti, Beardstown C.U. District 15; Burdell D. Chapman, Rich Township High School District 211; Donald C. Clark, Jr., West Northfield District 31; Miriam Cooper, Township High School District 214, Arlington Heights; Marcia Heuser, District 130, Blue Island; Anita B. Mittelman, Skokie District 69; Joan M. Murphy, Tinley Park District 146; John K. Schroder, Lombard Elementary District 44; Darell O. Bellm, Highland C.U. District 5; Dale L. Neudecker, Alton C.U. District 11; Howard C. Olsen, Edwardsville C.U. District 7; and Dennis L. Petry, Triad District 2, Troy.

Award winners are nominated by individuals or committees in their local schools and communities. The nomination materials consist of information about the nominees, their philosophies of education, their professional development and community involvement, and their opinions about the state’s most pressing education issues. Letters of recommendation are required as well.

Selection of Those Who Excel award winners is made by a committee of the nominees’ peers who represent statewide education organizations and include former award winners.

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PROFILES IN EXCELLENCE

Rick E. Heironimus, Springfield District 186 Board Member

Elected to his local board in 1988, Rick Heironimus has served as an at-large director of the Illinois Association of School Boards for roughly five years.

Heironimus states, "I think our great achievement as a board [in Springfield] collectively has been our consideration, adoption and review of our master plan." He notes that one component of that is a standards-based curriculum, closed high school campuses, and planning efforts with faculty, students and administrators.

Rick is employed by the Illinois Baptist State Association, where he serves as Annuity Services Director. He has held that post for 20 years. He is also the acting director of the statewide Baptist foundation.

"I would hope that our district will continue to move toward offering schools of choice, and making sure that every graduate who receives a diploma will meet minimum requirements for being able to read, write and do computations. I want to guarantee that the entire community can be proud of our students. I’ve always thought it was a real privilege to serve on the School Board in Spring-field and contribute to the overall good of the entire community."

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, October 29 Blackhawk Division Meeting

Geneseo C.U. District 228

Thursday, October 29 Lake Division Meeting,

Holiday Inn, Mundelein

Thursday, October 29 Cook County Divisions

(Joint Meeting), Marriott,

Oakbrook

Friday-Sunday, Joint Annual Conference,

November 20-22 Chicago Hyatt & Sheraton Chicago

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RESEARCH REPORTS

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No college often means no job

The number of high school graduates who skip college and still find jobs is declining, a new U.S. Department of Education report says. The employment rate for this group fell to 59 percent in 1996, from 72 percent in 1989. While it is getting harder for high school graduates to find work, the percentage of employed dropouts has remained at about 42 percent since 1989. Those statistics come from the National Center for Education Statistics. Access the report on the Internet at http://nces.ed.gov.

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More schools gain Internet access

Roughly 80 percent of all public schools nationwide had Internet access in 1997 (more than twice the ratio in 1994), a survey from the National Center for Education Statistics shows.

The proportion of classrooms and other instructional rooms with access to the Internet increased at an even faster rate, jumping from 3 percent in 1994 to 27 percent in 1997, according to the survey.

The NCES results were derived from annual surveys of a nationally representative sample of schools. Between 900 and 1,200 schools were selected each year between 1994 and 1997.

Source: U.S. Department of Education.

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TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS

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NSBA links to achievement

NSBA has launched an on-line anthology on student achievement. The address is http://www.asbj.com/ achievement/. Another on-line project for school board members, School Board of Tomorrow, offers a growing collection of resources and programs, including an e-mail group allowing board members around the country to share advice. This new project can be located at http://www.nsba.org/sbot.index.html.

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Classroom video from TIMSS available on CD-ROM

The U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) recently released video examples from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) on CD-ROM. Called "Video Examples From the TIMSS Videotape Classroom Study: Eighth Grade Mathematics in Germany, Japan, and the United States," it primarily contains video clips of instructional methods.

The clips represent six public-use videotaped eighth-grade math lessons: two lessons each from Germany, Japan, and the United States. Lesson tables for the math lessons are also included on this Microsoft Windows-compatible CD-ROM, along with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 (for IBM PC or 100 percent compatible computers).

Copies of this CD-ROM are available from New Orders, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. Stock number is 065-000-01137-9, and the price is $20.

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Workshops & Meetings

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Collaboration, partnership are focus of workshop

Board members and district administrators will get a rare opportunity to learn to develop collaborative relationships with their IEA bargaining team members at a unique December 4-5 workshop in Springfield.

The two-day workshop, jointly directed by IASB and IEA staffers, is entitled "Finding a Better Way." It is unique in that it asks combined teams of school board members and administrators and IEA representatives to participate in an effort to encourage development of healthy partnerships. The aim is to build the necessary skills for "interest-based problem solving in negotiations," which relies upon the work of Harvard negotiations project experts Robert Fisher and William Ury (authors of the popular book Getting to Yes).

Workshop facilitators, Patti Hodges of IEA and John Allen of IASB, have successfully worked with such combined groups several times in recent years. The workshop is part of IEA’s 1998 Collective Bargaining Conference at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield.

Registration cost, depending upon hotel accommodations, ranges from $75 to $165 for early registrants. For information or to register, call John Allen through the IASB office nearest you at extension 1122.

Grassroots sessions to gauge views on schools

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Grassroots sessions to gauge views on schools

Ten community forums will be held in Illinois this fall to solicit the views of citizens on the condition of public education and on whether new state legislation will lead to an improvement in the schools. The Illinois PTA and the Center on Education Policy will sponsor the forums as an exercise in grassroots democracy. A report summarizing the participants’ views will be released next January, sponsors say."We intend to have the critics as well as the supporters of public education in the room, and to have them reach their own conclusions on what has to happen to make public schools better," said Anna Weselak, President of the Illinois PTA.

The forums will be held from October 20 through December 3 at various sites. For more information or to participate, contact Sharon Voliva, Illinois PTA, at 708/841-5053.

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THE NATIONAL SCENE

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Several Christian groups poised to exit public schools

Some conservative Christian groups are "plotting a course to vacate America’s public schools," according to the first of a three-part series in Education USA, an independent newsletter.

The report cites a fund-raising letter from Citizens For Excellence in Education leader Rev. Bob Simonds. Simonds wrote: "the Lord has counseled me, and an impressive array of those associated in ministry have confirmed God’s leading, that Christians must exit the public schools as soon as it is feasible and possible."

Other groups are seeking to lead a student exodus from the public schools, as well. They include: the American Family Policy Institute, Concerned Women for America (one of the nation’s largest conservative women’s groups), and a number of televangelists.

A November conference of these groups will explore the theme "Do ‘Public Schools’ Undermine Religious Beliefs So Much That You Should Remove Your Children?" The conference, November 12-14 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, will include participants aligned on both side of the issue of removing Christian children from public schools.

Only time will tell how many parents actually will remove their children from public schools for religious reasons. There is little that schools can do to affect parents’ decisions, except to ensure that all parents are well-informed about school curriculum and activities and to be receptive to any parent concerns.

In order to serve all members of their communities, school boards must make sure their schools walk a fine line between appearing to endorse a particular religion and interfering with students freedom of religious expression. Numerous court decisions have provided guidelines as to how schools should approach religious expression, and the school board attorney can provide guidance in any questionable situation.

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Nationwide awards program seeks top youth volunteers

Young people in grades 5-12 volunteering their time and talents to improve their communities are encouraged to apply for the fourth annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The program is administered by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

The program application form for 1999 is available on the Internet at http://www.prudential.com/community. For more information, call NASSP at 800/253-7746, ext. 324.

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FEDERAL UPDATE

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$1.215 million federal grant awarded to Illinois charter schools

The U.S. Dept of Education has announced a grant award of $1.215 million to help support public charter schools in Illinois, part of over $68 million awarded in grants nationwide.

Eleven states, including Illinois, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, one school in New Mexico and two in Hawaii will receive almost $32 million in second-or third-year funding.

In sixteen other states a total of $36 million is being awarded in first-year grants to support start-up and development of additional charter schools.

Charter schools are public schools under contract from a public agency to groups of parents, teachers, administrators or others who want to create alternatives and choice within the public school system.

The schools are free, open to all, and designed to be publicly accountable, as well as creative, flexible and responsive to student and parent needs.

The Clinton administration has asked Congress for more than $100 million for the Public Charter Schools Program in Fiscal Year 1999.Under the Public Charter Schools Program, proposed by President Clinton in 1993 and passed into law in 1994 as part of the Improving America’s Schools Act, states conduct competitions and award sub-grants to provide start-up funds for new or recently established charter schools. These funds help pay for planning, design and start-up costs—areas often identified as critical for successful charter schools.

Over 900 charter schools, grown from 250 just three years ago, now receive federal support in 29 states nationwide for start up and development. There were eight Illinois charter schools operating in 1997-98, with seven more set to open this year.

In addition, Goals 2000, Title I and other federal funds can be used to support charter schools and to share lessons learned with other public schools. Federal grants, from previous years, have served 94% of charter schools in the planning stages.

For more information contact: Gail Lieberman at 217/524-0713.

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RESOURCES

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School marketing plans

Six free computer disks on school marketing are now available from Banach, Banach, & Cassidy (BB&C). Available for the cost of shipping and handling, at just $5 for each disk ordered, they contain planning, survey, and marketing information for principals, administrators and school board presidents.

Disks offered include: The ABCs of winning board teams (includes characteristics of winning board teams, sample board goals and more); The ABCs of marketing an elementary school; The ABCs of marketing a middle school; The ABCs of marketing a high school; The ABCs of school surveys; and A leader’s guide to planning and marketing.

To get any or all of these disks, fax your fax number to BB&C at 810/784-8412. They will send information on how to obtain your free disks.

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New source of funds

A new state law (P.A. 90-789) allows Illinois schools to sell and lease-back their textbooks, offering school districts a chance to raise funds in a new way.

The act allows schools to redirect funds from their instructional materials budget to other crucial educational needs, textbook publishers say, while still providing students with necessary textbooks and instructional materials. Selling and leasing back textbooks also may enable cash strapped schools to purchase all of their newly adopted textbooks at once rather than phasing in new texts over a period of years.

"This provision…is intended to give local school districts more flexibility in managing their financial affairs," said Senator Tom O’Malley (R., Alsip). O’Malley sponsored the new legislation.

The bill was passed one year after a Jacksonville, Florida district made news when it signed a $9.6 million sale/leaseback contract with Follet Educational Services, becoming the first district ever to raise funds through selling and leasing back its textbook inventory. More recently, Follet signed a $23.9 million sale/ lease-back contract with Prince Georges County in Maryland.

For more information, contact Pam Pesavento, Follet Educational Services, phone 708/383-0893.

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Internet Resources

* Guide to educational websites

A revised edition of the camera-ready Cyberguide for Kids and Parents is back by popular -demand and available in bulk for the cost of shipping. This brochure of the American Library Association and Illinois Library Association (ILA) is a great vehicle for guiding families through cyberspace.

The brochure’s definitions, safety tips, and selection advice are designed to help parents and children become savvy and wise Web travellers. Over 100 Web site addresses will beam kids to fun and educational Web destinations, including many Illinois sites.

Cost of shipping the brochure is $4 for 100-300 copies, $6 for 400-600 copies, $8 for 700-900 copies or $10 for 1,000 or more copies.

For information on obtaining this new publication, contact ILA Office, 33 W. Grand Ave., Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60610-4306; phone 312/644-1896; fax 312/644-1899.

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Recent mailings from IASB

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Not all IASB mailings are sent to all school board members. For speed or economy, some mailings are sent only to the board president or district superintendent. Here is a list of such items mailed recently. For more information about any item, contact your board president or district superintendent or get in touch with IASB.

September 16: Announcement of a Prairie Education Network-sponsored workshop to examine a reliable school improvement model, mailed to district superintendents and board presidents.

September 18: IASB teacher salary study, mailed to board presidents.

September 21: Memorandum regarding IASB board member survey, mailed to district superintendents.

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Classified ads

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WANTED: Elementary district would like to buy 100 student lockers, phone 618/526-7128.

FOR SALE: Stage curtains, fitting the following opening: 1-17’6" width x 10’ height, 1-40’ width x 15’5" height with valance. Both green, excellent condition. Contact: Randy K. Crump, Superintendent, Eureka C.U. Dist. 140, 109 West Cruger St., Eureka, IL 61530; phone 309/467-3737.

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Illinois Association of School Boards

2921 Baker Drive
Springfield, Illinois 62703