Illinois State Board of Education Met May 19

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Aug 4, 2021

Illinois State Board of Education Met May 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

ROLL CALL Chair of the Board Darren Reisberg called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.

Chair Reisberg announced that the Board meeting was being audio-cast live over the internet and video recorded. He declared that an in-person meeting is not practical or prudent because of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that made a physical presence for the meeting unfeasible.

Chair Reisberg asked the clerk to call the roll. A quorum was present with seven members attending via webinar. State Superintendent Dr. Carmen I. Ayala was also in attendance.

Members Present:

Darren Reisberg, Chairperson

Dr. Donna Leak, Vice Chair

Jaime Guzman, Secretary

Dr. Christine Benson

Roger Eddy

Dr. David Lett

Susie Morrison

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Chair of the Board Reisberg alerted the public to the fact that the Board will be meeting in person in August, so procedures will likely be adjusted. He reminded those in attendance of the Public Participation Policy and the sign-up procedures for today’s remote meeting.

Katharine Eastvold, a parent from Springfield, expressed concerns about the resolution to return to in-person learning. She explained that some students, including her own child, will not be eligible for the vaccine in time for the next school year and requested that the Board continue to allow districts to offer remote options.

John Burkey, representing the Large Unit District Association, made note of the students who excelled with remote learning, as well as pointing out that an optimized virtual learning environment would not look like the one produced over the last year. He requested that the Board rethink the definition of attendance and allow districts the flexibility to offer virtual learning.

David Wendeln, a parent from Ogden SD10, does not believe that all students will be able to resume in-person learning safely in the fall. He voiced concern about COVID-19 statistics in Illinois and noted that students under the age of 12 are not yet eligible for the vaccine. He cited other vaccines that students are required to get before attending school and questioned the lack of requirement of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. Daniel Woestman, superintendent of the Belvidere School District, spoke about how the traditional school system fails many students and how competency-based education would benefit them.

Cassie Creswell of the Parent Coalition for Student Privacy expressed concern about Part 380 restricting parental and student rights. She explained how it might interact in harmful ways with other legislation, highlighting the limit on frequency of parental requests, inspection, and reviews as an issue.

William Hrabe, on behalf of the Special Education Advocacy Coalition of Chicago, provided an update on Chicago Public Schools’ implementation of ISBE’s corrective action plan in response to the Public Inquiry.

Daryl Morrison and Cynthia Riseman Lund from the Illinois Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), respectively, spoke on career and technical education (CTE) and assessment. In relation to CTE, Ms. Riseman spoke on the IFT’s concern about

Rules 254 and 256 due to lost instructional time for students and a need for enhanced licensure hour requirements. In relation to assessment, Ms. Riseman and Mr. Morrison spoke in opposition to a proposed Request for Sealed Proposals (RFSP). They urged the Board to release a Request for Information (RFI) this summer.

Superintendents Gary Tipsord, Jon Bartelt, Jennifer Garrison, Sharon Kherat, and Kimako Patterson criticized the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, spoke in support of the RFSP regarding assessment, and offered to collaborate with the Board for future advancements.

Martin Gartzman, executive director at University of Chicago Center for Elementary Mathematics and Science Education, spoke in opposition to the RFSP regarding assessment. He spoke of negative impacts it could potentially have on students, instruction, and the accountability system.

Susan Stanton, representing ACT Now, presented suggestions from after school experts on how to spend COVID-19 relief funding on after-school programming statewide.

Amy Crumbaug, director of research and policy at After School Matters, advocated for the use of COVID-19 relief funds to be used to address the needs of older youth and, in particular, marginalized students.

Christy Filby, executive director of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs, spoke on program opportunities collaborating with the Illinois Department of Human Services for after-school activities.

Patrick Brosnan, executive director of the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, also spoke on after-school program opportunities and encouraged collaboration between state agencies and community organizations in this effort, as well as making students feel safe to come back.

Bryan Soady, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club, spoke on the importance of continued investment in out-of-school programming.

Ciara Thomas, a community school coordinator representing We Go Together for Kids, spoke on the importance of partnerships between schools and community organizations and urged ISBE to prioritize funding for community-school models.

Jen Cresse, a parent from the Westboro School District, spoke of the health issues and learning needs of her children, as well as those of students across the state, and requested that the Board allow districts the flexibility to offer virtual learning.

RESOLUTION – RETURN TO IN PERSON LEARNING

Dr. Ayala commended the work throughout the pandemic of educators, students, and leaders across the state. She explained that the resolution is a response to requests from stakeholders for clarity about the future scope of learning in Illinois for purposes of being able to make budgeting and staffing decisions. The resolution supports the return for in-person learning next school year for all students other than those who have not been vaccinated. She referenced studies that show the benefits of in-person learning and said that the resolution is grounded in equity. She assured that districts will still have the ability to provide virtual learning opportunities that best fit students’ needs. Finally, she announced the agency’s return to office this summer.

Chair Reisberg read the resolution.

The Board had an extended discussion about how the resolution will impact districts and students.

Dr. Leak, Mr. Eddy, and Dr. Lett expressed concerns about various potential scenarios for schools and families for which the resolution may create difficulty. Dr. Leak emphasized the importance of providing clear guidance to districts that will address some of the confusion and anxiety being caused by the language in the resolution, and Mr. Guzman added that districts should also be provided with guidance on how to continue and institutionalize virtual learning. Dr. Ayala and Trisha Olson, the agency’s legal officer, outlined the flexibilities still provided by the resolution and existing policies that will accommodate a diverse array of needs. Dr. Ayala also explained some of the work being done by staff to provide guidance to districts.

Dr. Leak made a final comment highlighting the need to prepare for a scenario in which the governor does not extend the disaster proclamation, as that will require schools to resume in person learning.

Dr. Lett asked if schools will still be able to offer remote and blended learning. The answer was yes. Dr. Lett, Dr. Leak, and Mr. Eddy highlighted some of the points of confusion and the need for guidance. Dr. Ayala affirmed that the agency will provide as much support as it can.

Dr. Leak moved that the State Board of Education hereby approves the resolution to return to in-person learning.

Ms. Morrison seconded, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote. Dr. Leak’s specified that she is voting yes on the intent and spirit of the document at this time.

The open meeting recessed at 12:14 p.m. to allow Chair Reisberg, Dr. Leak, and Dr. Benson to attend a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. The Board reconvened at 1:07 p.m., Dr. Lett joining at 1:13 p.m.

PRESENTATIONS - RESEARCH AND EVALUATION CENTER OVERVIEW

In order to save time, this presentation was not given, as it was previously given at the Education Policy Planning Committee.

PRESENTATIONS - ESSER UPDATE – ESSER II AND ESSER III

Dr. Ayala and Education Officer Dr. Ernesto Matias presented how Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds have been allocated.

Ms. Morrison asked if the team has developed metrics for success for the initiatives that are being invested in. Dr. Ayala affirmed that this work is being done, and the interim assessments will be able to function as one of the metrics.

Chair Reisberg asked if June 7 is still the deadline for ESSER III plans and what level of detail the application needs in order to be approved. Dr. Ayala and Dr. Matias said that the general categories presented here will be sufficient for approval. Dr. Matias added that he and Krish Mohip, deputy operational education officer, are working through the applications with an extended deadline.

Ms. Morrison asked how stakeholders are being engaged in developing the priorities and rolling out the strategies. Dr. Matias cited some of the methods in the Strategic Plan, as well as the collaboration with the P-20 Council. Ms. Morrison asked if there has been any intentional outreach to Illinois Association of School Administrators, Illinois Principals Association, IFT, Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, and/or other major stakeholders. Dr. Matias explained how they are indirectly being engaged. Robert

Wolfe, financial officer, added that there have been multiple presentations to the General Assembly, which allowed for stakeholder engagement in regard to the ESSER plans.

Chair Reisberg asked if there are detailed plans for how some of the larger allocations will be spent or how those spending decisions will be made. Dr. Ayala explained some of the factors that the agency takes into consideration when distributing grants.

Ms. Morrison requested that in the future the allocations be presented with details about who is eligible.

Mr. Eddy asked when programs in the field would be able to begin to operate. Mr. Wolfe provided some details about the timeline and said that the 90% allocation to school districts will become available shortly after the start of fiscal year 2022. Mr. Eddy asked if the ESSER II funds are currently available to school districts. The answer was yes, and Mr. Wolfe said that the agency has already processed and made several payments. He, Dr. Matias, and Dr. Ayala provided additional details about the timelines and the statuses of applications.

Mr. Eddy asked if the funding requests for the high-impact tutoring and bridge transition initiatives from ESSER II are doing well. Mr. Wolfe, Dr. Matias, and Dr. Ayala summarized the work currently being done for these initiatives.

Dr. Ayala informed Board members that they would continue to receive information through the Board Weekly Updates and that several items would be up for both discussion and approval in June, as there will not be a meeting in July.

PRESENTATIONS – STATE ASSESSMENT UPDATE

Dr. Ayala and Dr. Brenda Dixon, research and evaluation officer, summarized the rationale, plan, and next steps for the improved state assessment. Mr. Wolfe provided an explanation of what RFIs are and what the process would look like.

Chair Reisberg asked if there is any opportunity for pre-approval from the U.S. Department of Education before the RFSP process begins. The answer was no, and Dr. Ayala provided details of the process.

Mr. Eddy thanked staff for providing a document about the approaches other states have taken. He asked who serves on the State Assessment Review Committee (SARC) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Dr. Ayala said that the SARC has representation from community members and educators across the state. Dr. Dixon said that the TAC consists of experts on large-scale assessments. Mr. Eddy requested a list of the organizations represented on the TAC.

Dr. Benson expressed excitement about the plans presented and how this improved state assessment will help address some of the issues that have been discussed throughout the meeting. She asked how feedback from stakeholders was collected. Dr. Dixon listed meetings with a number of organizations and committees, as well as written feedback that has been shared with her.

Dr. Benson and Ms. Morrison emphasized the importance of prioritizing quality of speed, being driven by pedagogy, and ensuring that stakeholders agree with the move toward this system.

Dr. Ayala assured the Board and the public that the procurement process has yet to occur and no particular vendor has been selected or even recommended by the agency.

Dr. Lett referenced districts that currently have a local system of interim assessments and asked what the agency will be advising them to do when the state system rolls out. Dr. Ayala summarize the several options those districts will have. She also cited the Strategic Plan’s intention to provide professional development on assessment literacy.

Dr. Leak asked that staff be cognizant of the window of time that a student has to be with a school in order for them to “count.” She also encouraged providing guidance to districts with local systems such as hers that conduct interim assessments that track the same standards three times a year, which is different from the state system being proposed, which would administer three assessments that average out to a summative assessment.

Mr. Eddy asked if districts would be able to administer a local equivalent in place of the state assessment. The answer was no.

CLOSED SESSION

Mr. Guzman moved that the State Board of Education go into closed session for the following exception items:

A. The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. However, a meeting to consider an increase in compensation to a specific employee of a public body that is subject to the Local Government Wage Increase Transparency Act may not be closed and shall be open to the public and posted and held in accordance with this Act. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)

B. Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)

C. Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)

He further moved that Board members may invite anyone they wish to be included in this closed session.

Dr. Lett seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

The open meeting recessed at 2:29 p.m. The open meeting reconvened at 4:05 p.m.

CONSENT AGENDA

Dr. Ayala reviewed the items under the Consent Agenda.

Mr. Eddy requested a meeting with staff to review the large number of comments on Parts 254 and 256.

Chair Reisberg requested that the concern presented during public participation about the limitation on frequency of requests in Part 380 be addressed by staff. Dr. Leak requested details of what the monitoring referenced in the memo would look like.

Dr. Benson moved that the State Board of Education approve the Consent Agenda.

Mr. Guzman seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

The following motions were approved by action taken in the Consent Agenda motion:

Approval of Minutes

Plenary Minutes: April 21, 2021

The Illinois State Board of Education hereby approves the April 21, 2021, meeting minutes.

Rules for Initial Review

Part 1 (Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision) FAFSA and History Instruction

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes solicitation of public comment on the proposed rulemaking for:

Part 1 (Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision)

Including publication of the proposed rules in the Illinois Register to elicit public comment.

Parts 20 (Standards for Endorsements in Elementary Education), 26 (Standards for Endorsements in Early Childhood Education and in Elementary Education), 28 (Standards for Endorsements in Special Education) Updated Standards

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes solicitation of public comment on the proposed rulemaking for:

Part 20 (Standards for Endorsements in Elementary Education), Part 26 (Standards for Endorsements in Early Childhood Education and in Elementary Education), and Part 28 (Standards for Endorsements in Special Education)

Including publication of the proposed rules in the Illinois Register to elicit public comment.

*Rules for Initial Review - Parts 401 (Special Education Facilities under Section 14-7.02 of the School Code) and 405 (Payments to Certain Facilities under Section 14-7.05 of the School Code) Changes in Approval Status/Procedural Requirements, Satisfactory Proof, and Quarterly Attendance Reports

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes solicitation of public comment on the proposed rulemaking for:

Part 401 (Special Education Facilities under Section 14-7.02 of the School Code) and Part 405 (Payments to Certain Facilities under Section 14-7.05 of the School Code)

Including publication of the proposed rules in the Illinois Register to elicit public comment.

Rules for Adoption

Part 1 (Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision) – Time Out and Physical Restraint

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the State Superintendent to submit the proposed rulemakings for Part 1 (Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision) to JCAR for second notice.

Further, the Board authorizes the State Superintendent of Education to make such technical and non-substantive changes as the State Superintendent may deem necessary in response to suggestions or objections of JCAR.

Parts 254 (Vocational Education) and 256 (Career and Technical Education)

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the State Superintendent to submit the proposed rulemakings for Parts 254 (Vocational Education) and 256 (Career and Technical Education) to JCAR for second notice.

Part 380 (Student Online Personal Protection) New Part

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the State Superintendent to submit the proposed rulemakings for Part 380 (Student Online Personal Protection) to JCAR for second notice.

Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million

Approval of the One-Year Intergovernmental

Agreement with Northern Illinois University for the Illinois Report Card, Ed360, and 21st Century Learning Center

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the State Superintendent to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Northern Illinois University for the continued hosting, development, enhancement, maintenance, and support of the Illinois Report Card and the My Illinois Interactive Report Card for fiscal year 2022 in an amount not to exceed $2.565 million.

Approval of the Two-Year Intergovernmental Agreement with University of California - Berkeley Evaluation and Assessment Research Center (UCBEAR) for the administration of the KIDS survey assessment

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the State Superintendent to enter into a two year intergovernmental agreement with the Berkeley Evaluation and Assessment Research Center at the University of California for the provision of KIDStech and continued maintenance. The term of the contract will begin on July 1, 2021, and end on June 30, 2023. The estimated contract total cost for the two-year period will not exceed $1,108,437.93.

Approvals

Approval of State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB) Appointees The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the State Superintendent to appoint the following individuals to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board:

• Dr. Tom Mahoney, superintendent, Oregon Community Unit School District #220, as a representative of public school administrators;

• Christine Murphy Judson, director of Talent Acquisition, Chicago Public Schools District 299, as a representative of Chicago Public Schools administrators;

• Kisha McNulty-Spencer, sixth-grade teacher – Dorris Intermediate School, as a representative of classroom teachers from IEA;

• Cody Hendricks, secondary education teacher at Olympia High School, as a representative of classroom teachers from IEA;

• Jessica Kibblewhite, middle grade education teacher at National Teachers Academy, Chicago Public Schools District 299, as a representative of classroom teachers from IFT;

• Alicia Torres, elementary education teacher at Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz Classical/Steam Elementary School, Chicago Public Schools District 299, as a representative of classroom teachers from IFT;

• Dr. Brandon Hentze, secondary education teacher, Belleville West High School, as a representative of classroom teachers from IFT;

• Monica Rojas, bilingual elementary education teacher at Donald J. Marquez School ACERO, Chicago Public Schools District 299, as a representative of classroom teachers from IFT; and

• Dr. Tom Philion, dean and professor at Roosevelt University, as a representative of administrative or faculty members of private colleges and universities.

APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 288

Ms. Morrison moved that the State Board of Education hereby approve the agreement between Illinois State Board of Education and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Local 288.

Mr. Eddy seconded, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

UPCOMING BOARD ACTIONS

Rules for Initial Review - Part 1 (Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision) State Assessment