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State exam scores stable in public schools despite numerous obstacles in 2014
Illinois students are showing real academic improvement in math. Statewide testing results released Oct. 31 by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) showed progress in the state averages on the 2014 tests, which were given to students in grades 3-8 and grade 11 this past spring.
A look at testing trends finds student performance at the high-school level continues to boast long-term improvement in all subjects tested, with strong gains in reading. Meanwhile, elementary student performance in math is continuing to improve in all but one grade level, even as reading scores in most of the lower grade levels have dropped off a bit.
“We’re extremely encouraged by what we are seeing in terms of student progress,” said State Superintendent of Education Christopher Koch.
The most recent tests were given in March and April. Students in grades 3-8 took the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) in reading and mathematics while students in grades 4 and 7 were tested in science. Students in grade 11 took the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE), which tested students in math, reading and science.
The percentage of students meeting and exceeding standards in math on the pre-high school ISAT increased from 58.7 percent in 2013 to 60.2 percent in 2014. The only grade level that did not improve was seventh, which fell from 59.0 to 57.7 percent. At the same time, seventh graders were the only pre-high school students whose performance in reading assessment improved. Overall, ISAT reading scores declined from 59.0 percent to 57.2 percent, while seventh grade scores rose from 73.4 to 77.7 percent.
The real improvement, however, showed up in the percentage of students who met or exceeded standards in both math and reading, which soared from 55 percent to 64 percent.
The 2014 exams marked the last time children will take ISATs, which will be replaced by a new set of exams later this year. The state raised the scores required to pass ISATs last year to prepare students for the tougher exams planned in the near future. That was expected to cause passing rates to fall last year compared to earlier years, which it did.
That was mainly because test makers last year added tougher questions to the exams, which were based on new, more rigorous Common Core standards on what students need to know. Last year, 20 percent of the ISAT questions were based on Common Core standards. This year twice as many of the ISAT questions were based on the Common Core, and many educators were braced for major declines that failed to materialize. Instead, passing rates in math went up by 2.5 percent in all grades statewide.
The percentage of students meeting and exceeding standards in reading on the PSAE increased from 54.8 percent in 2013 to 56.3 percent in 2014, while math scores were lower and increased only slightly, from 51.8 to 52.4 percent. Lower still were science scores, which rose modestly from 49.3 to 49.6 percent.
ISBE has produced a Report Card since 1986 for every public school and district in the state. State report cards have been produced since 2002, when they were required by the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. The Report Card offers information for students, schools and districts, as well as parents and family and community members. It includes overall student performance, performance on state assessments, student demographics, and financial information.
Changing demographics
The latest state report card also showed for the first time that the low-income student population now represents the majority – or 51.5 percent – of all students. The percentage has risen steadily since 1993, when 33.5 percent of the state’s student population was considered low-income. That is noteworthy because low-income household status generally is a powerful indicator of poor educational outcomes for students.
This data is matched by a rise in limited English proficiency (LEP) enrollment, which was 9.5 percent in 2014, compared to 6.3 percent in 2003.
Theme of sixth annual School Board Members Day is ‘Stand Up 4 Public Schools’
School districts are being encouraged to “Stand Up 4 Public Schools” on Nov. 15 by thanking local board members on School Board Members Day. The theme this year capitalizes on IASB’s statewide campaign, “Stand Up 4 Public Schools.”
This will mark the sixth consecutive year for School Board Members Day, the annual statewide day of recognition created in 2008 by legislative action as a special day of observance to recognize school board members.
IASB has prepared a package of materials to help honor and thank school board members, who serve without compensation. Included are logos, a press release, letter, sample marquee and PSA messages, as well as an honorary certificate that can be personalized and presented to board members at a board meeting or recognition ceremony. The materials are available for download on the IASB members-only website, at: https://members.iasb.com/resources.cfm, by clicking on the Member Resources tab.
Four board members, one board win Those Who Excel Awards for service
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) singled out four individual school board members and one entire school board for outstanding service to schools in the 40th annual Those Who Excel/Teacher of the Year banquet, held Oct. 25 in Normal.
Receiving the award were board members: Patty Reyes, Merit, Bensenville Elementary SD 2; John Rouleau, Merit, Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96, Buffalo Grove; Edward Smith, Excellence, Oregon CUSD 220; David Sherwood, Excellence, Washington District 50. In addition, the entire board of education of Hazel Crest School District 152.5 won the Award of Merit for its exemplary work as a team.
“I am very proud that we have been celebrating excellence in Illinois educators for 40 years,” said State Superintendent of Education Christopher Koch. “Recognizing these individuals who devote themselves to helping students learn and be successful is an honor. I am happy to have the opportunity to publicly thank them for their dedication to students across the state.”
Local school district leaders and members of school communities nominate candidates. The nomination includes a brief nominee biography, professional development, community involvement and a description of his or her philosophy on education and views on the state’s most pressing educational needs. Letters of recommendation are also required.
A committee of peers, organized through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), chooses the award winners. The committee represents statewide education organizations and includes former award winners.
State education officials honored more than 230 of Illinois’ outstanding educators at the annual banquet in Normal this year, including 64 recipients of the Award of Excellence, 77 recipients of the Award of Merit and 91 recipients of the Award of Recognition. A complete list of award recipients by county can be found online at: http://www.isbe.net/those-who-excel/2015/Those-Who-Excel-2014-15.pdf .
All teachers receiving an Award of Excellence were among the 10 finalists for the 2015 Illinois Teacher of the Year.
The state recently launched a new Those Who Excel webpage at http://www.isbe.net/those-who-excel/default.htm, which includes the latest news about the award program.
Nominating papers due by Dec. 22 for board candidacies
Candidates for the 2015 school board election need to turn in signed nominating petitions to the county clerk’s office or the county board of election commissioners between Dec. 15 and Dec. 22, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. The first day prospective school board candidates were to begin to circulate nominating petitions for signatures was Sep. 23.
Because of changes in state law, school board candidate nomination papers are no longer filed with the school district but must be filed, instead, with the county clerk or county board of election commissioners of the county in which the principal office of the school district is located.
Report card highlights include rising high school, ACT scores
The 2014-15 Illinois Report Card boasts the addition of five new items, namely: each school’s overall score, essentials scores, measure scores that are used to calculate each essential score, individual question scores used to calculate each measure, and comparison, trend and download options.
Key findings of the 2014 state report card include:
• In 2014, the percentage of white students in the state has dropped below 50 percent (49.9 percent) for the first time and the percentage of Hispanic/Latino students has increased to 24.6 percent.
• The student academic growth score (growth from year to year on ISAT scores) has decreased in reading to 99.4 and increased in math to 102.9.
• The percentage meeting or exceeding standards for the ISAT was 58.7 percent for 2014, a slight drop of 0.1% from the previous year.
• The percentage meeting or exceeding standards for the PSAE was 54.3 percent for 2014, an increase of almost 4 percentage points since 2011.
• The state average for ACT composite scores has slightly increased to 20.4 and the percentage of students ready for college course work (ACT 21 or above) also slightly increased to 45.8 percent.
• The four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate has increased by 3 percentage points to 86 percent for 2014.
The Education Commission of the States recently identified Illinois as having the best report card out of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Illinois was the only state ranked best by both parents and researchers following a three-part analysis done by experts and parents. To examine the new Illinois Report Card for any school or district, visit: http://illinoisreportcard.com/ .
State Board seeks budget, funding formula input for Senate committee work
State education agency leaders are urging local school leaders and community members to weigh in on what education needs should be a priority as they prepare the Fiscal Year 2016 K-12 education budget.
The Illinois State Board of Education is also encouraging citizens to share their opinions and ideas regarding the state’s current funding formula as the board works with a Senate committee tasked with evaluating the formula and education funding.
The ISBE’s Finance and Audit Committee will host the second of five public hearings on the FY 2016 budget for schools in the wake of an Oct. 15 ISBE meeting in Champaign. The board will submit its FY 2015 education budget recommendation by January to the governor and General Assembly. Those who are unable to attend one of the five public hearings are encouraged to email any guidance or feedback to ISBE at isbefy16@isbe.net .
The remaining meeting schedule is:
• Nov. 10– 3 to 5 p.m.– Quincy
• Nov. 12– 5 to 7 p.m. – Round Lake
• Nov. 17 – 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. – Granite City
• Nov. 21 – after 5 p.m. – Chicago
More details can be found online at: http://www.isbe.net/calendar/default.htm#ph.
The public hearings are intended to gather opinions about local districts’ education needs and priorities as they prepare the following year’s education budget. The state board generally recommends an education budget in January, several months prior to any legislative action on the next fiscal year’s budget. ISBE can only make a recommendation; the governor and legislators must determine how to generate revenue and set the final budget.
Requests for waivers target non-resident tuition rules
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) reports it received 69 requests from school districts between March 1 and October 1 seeking waivers of School Code mandates, 50 of which were forwarded to the General Assembly for consideration. The agency itself approved nine of the 69 requests, while 10 others were either withdrawn or returned because no waiver was needed to carry out the requested activity.
The largest number of applications (26 requests) sought waivers from the state’s non-resident tuition requirement, with 23 of those being sent to lawmakers while three were withdrawn or returned.
The second-largest category of applications (14 requests) involved drivers education (five of which sought to raise fees from the statutory limit of $250 to as high as $500). Seven of those 14 drivers’ education requests were granted, and six more were forwarded to the legislature (including all five fee increase proposals). Meanwhile, one drivers’ education waiver request was withdrawn or returned.
In contrast, none of the eight daily physical education requirement waiver requests was granted by ISBE, with all of them being forwarded to lawmakers. Likewise, the additional eight applications that sought waivers on school improvement or in-service training requirements were all forwarded to the General Assembly for consideration.
Five school holiday waiver applications were returned because no waiver was needed to enact those requested changes.
Other waiver applications included: four requests on limitation of administrative costs due to circumstances beyond the district’s control (one of which was withdrawn); one request on general state aid provisions (forwarded to the legislature); one request for a waiver on district improvement plans (approved); one request for a waiver on instructional time requirements (forwarded to the legislature); and one request on supplemental general state aid (approved).
Perhaps of greatest interest was the request regarding general state aid, which seeks to allow a district to count the attendance of students enrolled in the district virtual education program toward the state’s student attendance requirements.
Also of note was a district request to offer online courses. Administrators submitted two waivers to allow their district, which is growing fast, to implement a virtual education program to supplement their high school curriculum. The result would be a blended program of both online and in class work with the same requirements for graduation. The request was forwarded to the legislature without comment.
A school district may request a waiver or modification of the mandates of state laws or regulations when the district demonstrates it can meet the intent in a “more effective, efficient, or economical manner or when necessary to stimulate or improve student performance.” If the state board fails to disapprove a request, that request is deemed granted. But even requests that are turned down may be appealed to the legislature, which sometimes reverses the state’s administrative rulings.
Both houses of the legislature will consider the proposals in the spring session. Districts will be notified as waiver requests are accepted or rejected.
IASB came up with the concept and pushed for passage of the waiver law in 1995. Nearly 6,000 waiver requests have been approved since the law went into effect in March 1995.
Any questions can be directed to ISBE’s Rules and Waivers Division at (217) 782-5270 or waivers@isbe.net.
Waukegan district settles after first protracted teacher strike
Three Illinois school districts have experienced a strike this year, with all of them already settled. The latest strike began in Waukegan CUSD 60 on Oct. 2 and was settled on Oct. 30.
The Waukegan district is located in IASB’s Lake Division, with a bargaining unit that includes 1,200 IEA teachers. Notice was filed on Sep. 12 in the district of about 17,000 students.
Talks between the school district and the teachers union had stalled for weeks. The two sides seemed to have been making progress at one point but appeared to fall apart Oct. 15 after a 10 hour negotiating session. A District 60 spokesman then accused the union of walking away while he said the board was ready and willing to continue negotiations. Teachers walked off the job over several issues, but salary and insurance were key sticking points.
The two previous strikes this year were staged in Highland CUSD 5, where the strike began Sep. 11 and was settled Sep. 18, and in Galesburg CUSD 205, which began Aug. 13 and was settled Aug. 28.
Source: Press reports, and the Illinois Association of School Administrators: http://www.iasaedu.org/domain/44 .
Program changes mean more districts may get E-rate funding
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a sharp turn this summer to support broadband installation in schools with E-rate funds. As a result, school districts that have not participated in the E-rate program may find themselves eligible for major federal funding and current beneficiaries will find many changes in the program for FY 2015.
Is E-rate 2.0 for you? Here are some clues:
• Got friends? Applications from consortia will be reviewed faster than those from individual schools and districts.
• Bulk purchasing power: The FCC will create “preferred master contracts” and has authorized purchasing through the federal General Services Administration (GSA) for better pricing.
• Less paperwork: Applicants are no longer required to have technology plans in order to qualify for E-rate.
• Even less paperwork: An online portal and electronic filing will make it easier to apply.
Other changes of note
Category 1 (Internet access): Funding for Internet connections to school buildings remains a top priority.
Category 2 (Internal connections): The FCC approved two big changes in the way internal connections are funded in order to get broadband into classrooms. Category 2 includes such items as routers, switches, wireless access points, internal cabling, racks, wireless controller systems, firewall services, uninterruptable power supply, and related software.
Designated funding: As part of the pivot to broadband, the FCC designated $1 billion annually for internal connections—but only for broadband distribution services and equipment. This year there was no funding at all for Category 2 services, so the change could infuse new funding to districts that need it.
New funding method: The other major change to Category 2 is the distribution method. E-rate historically provides support based on the percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-priced lunch, and Category 1 services will continue to be distributed this way. For Category 2 funds, however, the FCC approved a two-year test program that distributes funds on a per-student basis of $150 per pupil.
As a result, school districts that have not been eligible for Category 2 funding in the past may find themselves eligible for per-student funding. At the same time, current beneficiaries may receive less support. It remains to be seen which school districts gain or lose under the test program, which is why the FCC will evaluate the results after two years to determine whether the per-student distribution method will continue.
While broadband is an exciting development for schools and libraries, it is not without a downside. The FCC modernization plan does not include additional funding for E-rate. In order to redirect resources to broadband, the FCC is eliminating support for older “legacy” services that many districts have come to rely on. School districts currently receiving E-rate may be impacted now that support will be completely eliminated for many features.
NSBA has urged the FCC to “do no harm” to schools under E-rate modernization, and advocates for a permanent increase in funding.
For more information, go to http:// www.nsba.org/news-room/nsba-comments-future-funding-needs-e-rate.
National advocacy event in D.C. planned for Feb. 1-3 for school board members
School board members will have the opportunity to join their peers from across the country at the National School Boards Association’s Advocacy Institute (formerly the Federal Relations Network or FRN Conference) in Washington, D.C., Feb. 1-3, 2015.
NSBA made some successful changes to the former FRN Conference last year to provide a broader based advocacy conference. Some key programming changes that will continue included nationally recognized speakers, sessions designed for more interaction rather than only lecture style presentations, and substantial programming for information and skill building around public advocacy. The Institute still ends with a day on Capitol Hill where attendees have the opportunity to lobby their own members of Congress.
“Additional information will be forthcoming, but anyone who may be interested should stop by the legislative booth at Conference to discuss this event and participation in our federal advocacy program,” said IASB Director of Governmental Relations Susan Hilton. The ultimate goal of this advocacy is to make public education a top priority of the federal government and to increase congressional representatives’ awareness of school board positions on federal legislation and regulations.
For more information contact Kathleen Branch, NSBA director of advocacy services, at 703.838.6735 or kbranch@nsba.org.
Total of 18 school boards earn School Board Governance Recognition
Eighteen school boards were recently recognized as recipients of IASB’s fourth annual “School Board Governance Recognition.”
The award is designed to acknowledge school boards that have engaged in activities and modeled behaviors leading to excellence in local school governance in support of quality public education.
School boards receiving this recognition were:
• Bourbonnais SD 53
• Palatine CCSD 15
• CCSD 168, Sauk Village
• Glen Ellyn CCSD 89
• CCSD 158 , Algonquin
• Golf SD 67
• Grayslake CHSD 127
• Harlem SD 122 , Machesney Park
• Indian Prairie CUSD 204 , Naperville
• Knoxville CUSD 202
• Lake Villa CCSD 41
• Libertyville SD 70
• Maercker SD 60 , Westmont
• Morton CUSD 709
• Mt. Prospect SD 57
• River Trails SD 26, Mt. Prospect
• Skokie/Morton Grove SD 69
• Wheaton Warrenville CUSD 200, Wheaton
All of the applicants have been notified of their award. Successful applicants were presented with plaques at the fall division meetings, and their board pictures will be on display at the IASB Information Room at the 2014 Joint Annual Conference.
The application for recognition asked school boards to explain how they are meeting IASB’s six Foundational Principles of Effective Governance in the areas that include adopting and communicating their mission, vision and goals, in having and implementing a superintendent evaluation process, for conducting regular policy reviews and maintaining an updated policy manual, and by practicing effective governance behaviors through participation in and support for board development programs and events.
The primary focus of the program is on full board development and participation rather than individual board member efforts.
“Effective school boards know that excellence in local school board governance requires full board commitment to obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities critical to good governance,” said Dean Langdon, IASB’s associate executive director, board development and TAG.
Applications are available on IASB’s Members-Only website at https://members.iasb.com/login.cfm under the “IASB involvement” tab. To help facilitate what boards need to do to complete the application, a checklist is available for download now at https://www.iasb.com/training/governancechecklist.pdf . Additional information and details can also be found in an online tutorial video, available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5za076po3D8&feature=youtu.be .
Questions about the School Board Governance Recognition program should be directed to Michelle Uher at extension 1144 or by emailing her at: muher@iasb.com.
Wheaton Warrenville’s Sender wins school board secretaries’ award
Mary Lou Sender, administrative assistant to the superintendent and board of Wheaton Warrenville CUSD 200, is the recipient of the sixth annual award for school district secretaries. She will be honored Friday, Nov. 21, at the Joint Annual Conference in Chicago.
Sender was chosen to receive The Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award from among 32 exceptional nominees. She is a 26-year veteran of CUSD 200 and has served as the administrative assistant to the superintendent and board for 18 years. Wheaton Warrenville is a unit school district serving almost 14,000 students in 20 schools.
The award was created to honor the memory of Holly Jack, a long-time employee of the association who served as an IASB field services administrative assistant and was instrumental in promoting and developing the secretaries’ program that is offered at the annual conference and in regional workshops. The purpose of the award is to both honor Holly’s contribution and memory and to recognize the extraordinary work and service provided by secretaries who serve and assist their local boards of education.
A selection committee composed of individuals representing board members, superintendents, school business officials, district administrative assistants, and IASB administrative assistants reviewed the nominating materials and made the selection.
A quote from a letter signed by the entire Unit 200 school board says it all: “The tagline for our district is ‘Inspiring Excellence.’ Mary Lou lives and breathes that spirit. She looks for ways to be inspired in her own work and life, so that she can inspire others to the excellence that is her personal standard.”
Nominations were made by district superintendents and school board presidents. The judges considered the following criteria: performance, initiative, innovation, staff development, self-improvement, passion for public education, and dedication. Letters of support were also accepted.
Chris Crabtree, president of the Wheaton Warrenville PTA Council considers Sender a valuable cheerleader and a partner: “She acts as a link for us providing communication to and from the school board, bringing attention to our efforts, so they can be highlighted to the board and community.”
The award presentation will be made during the secretaries’ program on Friday and again at the Third General Session on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Sixteen board members honored as Academy Fellows by IASB
Sixteen board members have become School Board LeaderShop Academy Fellows in 2014. This honor was recognized at division dinner meetings this fall and brings to 59 the number of living school board members who have achieved Fellow status since the program began in 2005.
The board members newly honored as fellows this year are:
Linda Wojcicki, Bloomingdale SD 13
Kimberly Skaja, Consolidated School District 158, Algonquin
Darlene Gray Everett, School District 149, Calumet City
Amy Fairfield Doering, Dunlap CUSD 323, Peoria
Carolyn Owens, Elementary SD 159, Matteson
Joe Kirkpatrick, Fieldcrest CUSD 6, Minonk
George Russell, Harlem SD 122, Machesney Park
Patrick Callahan, Knoxville CUSD 202
Arvid Johnson, Lincoln-Way CHSD 210, New Lenox
Michelle Skinlo, Mattoon CUSD 2
Thomas Neeley, Morton CUSD 709,
Donna Fally, Rome CCSD 2, Dix
Rob Luttrell, Triad CUSD 2, Troy
Liz Campbell, Valley View CUSD 365U, Romeoville
Jim McCabe, Waltham CCSD 185, Utica
Sandy Walden, Williamsville CUSD 15
As board members work their way through the School Board LeaderShop curriculum, they earn and maintain membership in the Academy. The rules for earning and maintaining membership are as follows:
1. Admission to Academy membership requires completion of three School Board LeaderShop programs: ‑
a. At least two of these must be from the core curriculum and one of those must be the district governance overview
b. The third program may be either a core or an elective offering
2. Academy membership is maintained by completing at least one additional program (either core or elective) over a two-year period.
3. Upon the completion of seven core and five elective programs, members will be recognized as Academy Fellows.
4. The Member Emeritus designation is for those board members who retire from or leave their boards while maintaining a Fellowship designation.
Academy members are recognized for their commitment to continuous learning in various ways. Upon admission to the Academy, members receive a LeaderShop Academy pen. They also receive a plaque recognizing their achievement. The names of Members Emeritus are displayed on a permanent honor roll at IASB and they are offered a lifelong subscription to IASB publications.
Master Board Member status achieved by 561 school leaders
IASB handed out Master Board Member awards to 561 school board members at division dinner meetings this fall, or 59 more awards than were presented last year. Many board members received awards for reaching Level I (98 award winners) and/or Level II (71 winners), both awards that precede the Master Board Member status.
A total of 74 individual board members achieved Master Board Member status for the first time, and 275 others were recognized for maintaining their status.
The awards are designed to recognize board members for the time and effort they devote to self improvement and leadership activities in various IASB and/or NSBA activities within and beyond their local districts.
Each of these activities is assigned from 5 to 30 Master Board Member credits, depending upon the time commitment involved. Credits are cumulative and individuals are recognized at different milestones as they acquire these points.
Individuals receiving the Level I designation have accumulated at least 60 credits. Those receiving the Level II designation have 130 credits or more. Individuals reaching the 200-credit level receive the Master Board Member designation. The MBM designation is maintained by accumulating 50 additional credits each year.
Participation in the program is self-reported by board members, via data available at IASB’s Members-Only website, http://members.iasb.com. That is the place where program participants can go to view participation in relevant activities, and track their progress in the program.
The pertinent forms and individual database information can be found on the Members-Only site under the tab, “Your IASB Involvement” at the top of the home page.
Forms are available for each school year going back to 1999-2000 and are provided in portable document format (PDF).
Conference photo booth a ‘must-visit’ with free pictures offered
At this year’s conference, the Conference Photo Booth in the Exhibit Hall is a must-visit conference planners say.
School board members and school district staff are invited to stop by the photo booth and have their district photo taken. There is no charge for this sitting. Photos will be posted online after the conference at this website: http://hannahrussellphotography.pass.us/ .
Visitors who have their photo taken in front of the special IASB backdrop will be able to view and share their photo socially and on their mobile device. It will be easy to share a photo with friends and family, or send it to a school district website or district Facebook page to let everyone know district leaders were part of the 2014 Joint Annual Conference.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their colleagues and have their school district photo taken at the Photo Booth. After all, it’s free and it’s fun.
Booth 106-107 is located in the Riverside Center, Hyatt Regency East Tower. Exhibit Hall hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The Photo Booth is just one of the myriad events planned for the 2014 Joint Annual Conference. Look for the official conference program for information and details about the 2014 Conference.
And be sure to visit the IASB Information Room, open Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Joint Annual Conference. It is located in the Comiskey Room, concourse level, of the Hyatt Regency West Tower.
News releases offered to help school districts explain value of attending Conference
IASB has developed sample news releases to help participants at Conference effectively share and report what they saw, did and learned.
The sample news releases can be used to assist school board members and school district administrators who want to report on their 2014 conference experience, either in advance of the event or after returning home.
The releases contain language to allow the district to specify who attended, how much the district spent, and how the conference fits into the district budget. They also explain the value of professional development and what participants are doing to improve their skills and knowledge in school board governance or district management.
District officials are encouraged to edit or add their own comments or data to the releases to meet their own purpose and situation. Information is also available on how to effectively interview with local media.
Districts intending to use the news releases are also encouraged to include copies in the board meeting packet as part of the report agenda items at the board meeting that precedes the November conference.
Instructions and sample news releases are available on the IASB Members-Only website at: http://members.iasb.com .
Speaker to sign books at Conference bookstore on both Friday and Saturday
Jim Burgett, two-time superintendent of the year in Illinois, will be among the authors signing books in Friday and Saturday sessions at the 2014 Joint Annual Conference bookstore.
Burgett , who is the Second General Session speaker on Saturday, Nov. 22, is the author of The Art of School Boarding and The School Principal’s Toolbook .
A former teacher, principal and superintendent in three separate school districts over a 36-year career, Burgett is a consultant offering professional development services for schools and other organizations.
He is scheduled to meet visitors and sign books for purchase beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, and again at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 immediately following his general session presentation.
The bookstore, which features thousands of titles and other gifts, will be located in the Columbus ballroom hallway at the Hyatt East Tower. It will be open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday.
Here is the scheduled list of book signings by date, time, author, and book title:
Friday, November 21
10 a.m., John Hunt, Accountability is the Key
10 a.m. - Noon, William Phillips, Scott Day, Leonard Bogle , Exploring School District Reorganization in Illinois
11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Patrick J. Anderson , The Kid in the Purple Pants: Structured Approaches to Educating Underprivileged Students
Noon, Janet Golden , It’s a Great Day for Pulling Weeds
1-3 p.m., Michael Davros , Greeks in Chicago
1 p.m., Ray Lauk , Fuel for Learning
3:30 p.m., Jim Burgett , The Art of School Boarding and The School Principal’s Toolbook
3:30 p.m., Patrick Rice , Vanishing School Boards: Where School Boards Have Gone, Why We Need Them, and How We Can Bring Them Back
Saturday, November 22
9 a.m. – noon, Patrick J. Anderson, The Kid in the Purple Pants: Structured Approaches to Educating Underprivileged Students
9:30 a.m., Jim Fritts,Essentials of School Finance, Sixth Edition and editor, Good School Maintenance, Fourth Edition
10 a.m., Jim Burgett , The Art of School Boarding and The School Principal’s Toolbook
10:30 a.m., John Hunt , Accountability is the Key
11 a.m., William Phillips, Scott Day, Leonard Bogle , Exploring School District Reorganization in Illinois
11 a.m., Ray Lauk , Fuel for Learning
12:30 p.m., Janet Golden , It’s a Great Day for Pulling Weeds
1-3 p.m., Michael Davros , Greeks in Chicago
Division governing meetings to ask participants to set a course
One of the unique features of IASB division meetings is the locally determined programming, a feature prominently on display at many upcoming winter governing meetings.
While state school board associations elsewhere determine a topic of state-wide interest to be delivered regionally throughout their state, in Illinois IASB divisions have great input to the local programming delivered. Members help to plan fall and winter/spring IASB division dinner meetings.
In some divisions, the membership delegates to an executive committee the responsibility to work with the field services director to identify topics of interest to districts in that division. In other divisions, governing board meetings are held once or twice a year. At these governing meetings, the field services director facilitates a conversation to identify and prioritize topics of interest for that division. All school board members and superintendents from a division are welcome to attend and participate in these governing board meetings.
For a list of the meetings, visit online at: https://www.iasb.com/calendar/ .
Districts sharing ‘Stand Up’ messages in videos recorded in and around schools
IASB recently launched a new initiative aimed at motivating and informing the public about the importance of the quality education provided by public schools.
“Stand Up 4 Public Schools” is an opportunity to counter the misinformation and myths to focus on the important role public schools play in providing a pathway toward achievement and success for every child, according to IASB Executive Director Roger Eddy.
Local school districts have begun to document and share their local activities through this initiative with the Association. One way is by videotaping messages in and outside the school, just as many did last year for IASB’s Centennial, with districts recording and sharing their “Stand Up” messages.
The videos are being shared on IASB’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The videos will also be shown during the Joint Annual Conference in the IASB Information Room ( Comiskey Room, Concourse Level, Hyatt West Tower).
More information is available at: https://www.iasb.com/standup/.
Journal features first part of its administrator salary trends series
The November/December issue of The Illinois School Board Journal features the first of a two-part series updating administrator salary trends. Part I analyzes salaries from 2008-2011, including the recession and challenging funding years that followed.
Part II, in the next issue, will use recent data to examine the status of administrator salaries. Western Illinois University educators Dean Halverson and Lora Wolff provided the analysis.
IASA’s 50th annual event speaker warns schools facing ‘trust deficit’
The Illinois Association of School Administrators celebrated its 50th anniversary Oct. 8-10 in Springfield. During the event, IASA leaders and keynote speakers encouraged attendees to take charge of their message in promoting public education.
In one keynote address, Suhail Farooqui, CEO of K12 Insight, challenged his audience to overcome the “trust deficit” in public education. Comparing trust deficit to fiscal deficits, Farooqui said, “We can’t keep treating this deficit like that one. A fiscal deficit breaks the windows of the building. The trust deficit corrodes the foundation.”
Farooqui recommended building trust by “closing the loop,” responding to stakeholders’ concerns by involving them in the discussion by putting “listen, learn, lead” into practice.
A call to action from a different perspective was promoted by keynote speaker Rafe Esquith, an award-winning teacher in Los Angeles. Opening with “I actually do this,” Esquith shared his teaching philosophies, interspersed with video clips of his students in action. He related that his students work hard – not for a grade or to stay out of trouble – but because they believe, “If I learn this skill, my life just got better.”
Esquith lamented that “Teachers have stopped being themselves.” He challenged administrators to foster success by allowing teachers to try new things, take chances and bring their own interests into the classroom.
IASA’s keynote speakers included Hall Davidson, senior director of Global Learning Initiatives for Discovery Education, and business consultant Jon Gordon, whose expertise is in leadership, culture and teamwork.
With an estimated 600 attendees, the conference encouraged the pursuit of educational excellence with speakers, breakout sessions and conference exhibitors. The conference opened with a “Focus on Success” session with State Superintendent Christopher Koch and members of the ISBE staff.
In his state of the association address, IASA executive director Brent Clark highlighted the Vision 20/20 program and outlined the upcoming rollout. He clarified Vision 20/20’s four areas of focus: highly-effective education, 21st Century learning, shared accountability, and equitable and adequate funding.
“We want to take back the message and direction of public education in our state,” Clark said. “We know what we’re against. [But] what are we for?”
IASB receives communications award from INSPRA for centennial publication
The Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (INSPRA) presented awards in September to nearly 50 school districts and public relations professionals for work in categories ranging from annual reports to newsletters to video and audio production.
IASB received an Award of Excellence in the special-purpose category for the book that highlighted the Association’s 100-year anniversary. “Lighting the Way for 100 Years: 1913-2013” chronicled 100 years of the organization’s history and public education with staff interviews, a historical overview, and timeline of IASB events over the past century.
Top honors were given to Park Ridge-Niles School District 64, which received the Golden Achievement Award of Merit for their “Tech Talk Week” initiative, which focused on parent education outreach. The top prize, the Golden Achievement Award of Excellence, was awarded to Dan Bridges, Julie Carlsen and Elizabeth Spencer of NapervilleCUSD 203 and a local television station for their “Future Focus Community Engagement” project.
Barrington (Oct. 8, The Daily Herald)The Barrington Area Unit School District 220 board gave its early support to all-day kindergarten under a tuition-based plan on Oct. 7. The plan, still being developed by staff, would start in the 2015-2016 school year. The district already offers a free half-day kindergarten program to all district students. Under the proposed plan, two classrooms at each of the district elementary schools would be converted to suit the new full-day program. Board President Brian Battle said declining district enrollment has opened classroom space to offer full-day kindergarten.
Belleville (Oct. 5, News-Democrat) Belleville District 118 is changing how its teachers are graded. Principals will be spending more time observing teachers in their classrooms this year for the district’s new teacher evaluation. Superintendent Matt Klosterman said the change is in accordance with Illinois law. By the 2016-17 school year, student achievement on standardized tests must become a factor in every teacher evaluation, according to state law. According to Klosterman, District 118 is moving from a process that was subjective, he said, to one that “expects and requires objectivity.” He explained the new system is “evidence driven” and requires evaluators to record what they see teachers and students doing in class.
Carbondale (Oct. 3, The Southern) Parents, faculty and community members for Carbondale Elementary District 95 gathered at the Carbondale Middle School for a discussion about public perception of the district. More than 100 people attended a town supper to gather feedback. Superintendent Michael Shimshak said he encouraged the participation from parents and residents about how to improve the district or what it should continue doing. “This is community engagement,” he said. “The schools belong to the community and this is a way to get perception about where we have been and some idea about our future.”
Champaign (Oct. 3, The News-Gazette) An innovative computer program is being used to teach core mathematics concepts, using a game featuring a digital penguin called JiJi to supplement class lessons. Starting its first school year in full swing, students at Robeson Elementary play with JiJi for 60 to 90 minutes each week using a program called Spatial-Temporal (ST) Math. In the math-lesson-turned-video-game, the penguin helps teach kids about concepts such as naming shapes, memorizing prime numbers and learning multiplication. And it doesn’t replace traditional instruction, Robeson Principal Nicholas Gaines says. Teachers still educate students on core math concepts, using the game to supplement class lessons. Game math puzzles align with what students are taught in class but focus on a visual understanding of math concepts.
Morton (Sep. 30, Peoria Journal Star) Recommendations by a facilities advisory committee to build a new high school and transform the current high school into a grades 5-8 middle school or build a new grades 5-8 middle school are among the ideas being considered by the Morton CUSD 709 board. Among the current facilities challenges the board is tackling are classrooms filled to capacity, crowded common areas such as cafeterias and gymnasiums, finding space in elementary schools for state-mandated daily physical education that will begin next year and updating the outdoor athletic facilities at the high school.
Peoria (Sep. 29, Journal Star) The Peoria school board has set a partial timeline for gathering community input as it updates its strategic plan. The current three-year plan ended this past school year. The board would like to have an updated plan in place by September 2015 after hosting community meetings. Board members agreed to discuss their goals or guidelines for an updated plan at an upcoming meeting. The board plans to finalize the guidelines soon, as well as set a timetable and more specific plans to seek input from parents, teachers, administrators, other governmental bodies, business groups, and the broader community. The board tentatively plans to conduct community meetings after the first of the year.
Rock Island (Sep. 23, Dispatch-Argus) School board members were updated Sep. 23 on how Rock Island-Milan schools are using millions in federal grants to improve literacy, leadership, and counseling. The district has received three-year federal grants totaling $14.5 million to transform education at three schools. Board members were told that, in addition to mandated reading and math goals, the schools have established the additional goals of school leadership and school culture and climate. Teachers and staff have placed a major emphasis on learning about fellow teachers and relying on each others’ strengths.
Springfield (Oct 6, The State Journal-Register) A Springfield school district committee will be formed to review security procedures and examine the feasibility of metal detectors, Superintendent Jennifer Gill announced. Board member Adam Lopez has urged the district to install metal detectors at each of its three high schools. Lopez said he supports the decision to create a security committee. “We’re going to move at a good pace and make sure we do everything right,” he said. Gill said she wants the committee to take a “comprehensive” approach to security, including making metal detectors part of the discussion.
Guidance for registration
The state recently issued non-regulatory guidance for school districts about student registration and enrollment for the 2014-15 school year. This online information deals with four areas ISBE says have generated confusion: residency and enrollment, immigrant pupils, homeless pupils and school fees and waivers. Included is information about how schools can challenge the residency claims of a student believed to be a nonresident. The guidance, much of it in a question-and-answer format, is online at: http://www.isbe.net/pdf/guidance_reg.pdf.
Green school awards
Application forms are available for the Illinois Green Ribbon Schools Award program, recognizing schools or districts leading the way to promote sustainability and environmental education. ISBE will accept applications from schools that have integrated best practices in energy, water and waste management, healthy school environments and environmental education. The state will name winners in late December. Application forms are now online at http://www.isbe.net/green_ribbon/pdfs/green-ribbon-app-14-15.pdf.
AP exam performance
Illinois Advanced Placement (AP) participation continues to outpace the national average and the percentage of Hispanic test takers in 2014 exceeded the percentage of Hispanic students overall. A record number of Illinois students took the exams and excelled. Illinois Hispanic and African-American student participation in the AP tests exceeded the national average. Statewide, 23.5 percent of Illinois’ public high school 11th and 12th graders took at least one AP Exam in 2014, up from 10.5 percent in 2004.
JAC planner online
Participants now have a tool to plan how they’ll spend their time at the Joint Annual Conference. In addition to the Preview available on IASB’s public website, http://iasb.mys1cloud.com/conferencepreview2014.pdf, IASB members also can now use a tool to build their own personal planner online to fill in, download, print out, and take to Chicago. This tool was posted in early October on the Members-Only website at http://members.iasb.com. Users can select events, build and print a schedule. For information on how to access the planner on Members-Only, visit: https://www.iasb.com jac14/planner.cfm.
Constitution mailing
Upcoming IASB mailings following the Conference will include the 2015 IASB Constitution and Position Statements booklet. Both the IASB Constitution and official position statements are products of the IASB Delegate Assembly, which meets at the conference. IASB operates within the framework of its Constitution, and lobbies on behalf of its position statements, which reflect the beliefs, aspirations and aims of the association as established by its member school boards. Position statements are those resolutions adopted by the IASB Delegate Assembly.
Conference attendance
The 2014 Conference is just weeks away, but there is still time to attend. Registrations will still be taken by fax (with credit card) or mail with payment. The cost for school officials to register is $430 per person. Complimentary registration is provided for paid registrant family members at: https://www.iasb.com/jac14/pdfs/housinginstructions14.pdf. Registrations up until Conference will be processed onsite at the Hyatt Conference Registration Desk.
November 20 – IASB Board of Directors’ Meeting, Chicago
November 21 – Chicago Schools Tour, Chicago
November 21-23 – IASB/IASA/IASBO Joint Annual Conference, Chicago
November 21 – Illinois Council of School Attorneys’ 28th Annual Seminar on School Law, For school attorneys only, Chicago
November 23 – IASB Board of Directors’ Meeting, Chicago
December 2 – Blackhawk Division Winter Governing Committee Meeting, Geneseo
December 3 – Central IL Valley Division Winter Governing Committee Meeting, East Peoria
December 4 – Kaskaskia Division Winter Governing Committee Meeting, TBA
December 9 – Two Rivers Division Winter Governing Committee Meeting, Jacksonville
January 6 – Shawnee Division Winter Governing Committee Meeting, Marion
January 22 – IASB/IASA Professional Advancement Seminar, IASB, Springfield
February 17-18 – Alliance Leadership Summit, Springfield
For more current information, see www.iasb.com/calendar/