Prairie State Wire

Illinois State Board of Education met June 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

ROLL CALL Chair of the Board Steven Isoye called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m.

Chair Isoye announced that the Board meeting was being audio-cast live over the internet and video recorded.

Chair Isoye asked the clerk to call the roll. A quorum was present with six members attending, all physically present. State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders was also in attendance.

Members Present:

Dr. Steven Isoye, Chair of the Board

Dr. Donna Leak, Vice Chair

Dr. Christine Benson, Secretary

Dr. James Anderson

Roger Eddy

Dr. Patricia Nugent

Members Absent:

Dr. Anna Grassellino

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Chair Isoye reminded those in attendance of the Public Participation Policy and the sign-up procedures for today’s meeting.

Janie Bergschneider, a teacher in Franklin CUSD 1, spoke on the State Literacy Plan. She discussed the progress made on literacy and the work left to be done. She discussed the additional professional development toward reading education that she pursued, saying that her undergraduate teacher prep program had not communicated the best practices. She advocated for investments in quality training and resources on literacy for teachers.

Stephanie Seemann, a sales account manager at Benchmark Education, spoke on the State Literacy Plan. She discussed her work with schools across the state. She asked if the literacy plan would contain a list of state-approved providers, and what an associated approval process might look like.

Heather Lara, a teacher in Avoca SD 37, spoke on literacy education. She said that her undergraduate teacher preparation program did not prepare her with the best approaches to promoting literacy. She said student teachers that she had worked with also were unprepared. She spoke on her independent effort to learn best practices and advocated for promotion of science-based practices in the state approach to literacy.

Nicole Robinson, executive director of curriculum and instruction at CCSD 59 in Elk Grove Village, spoke on literacy and teacher preparation. She discussed the lack of focus on science-based literacy in teacher preparation programs and the challenges of trying to incorporate these lessons in professional development during a busy school year. She advocated for higher standards for literacy education in teacher preparation programs.

Christine Pederson, a reading specialist at Learning Possibilities, spoke on literacy preparation. She spoke on the failure of current practices in literacy education. She advocated for more stringent literacy requirements in preparation programs and focused professional development for current teachers.

Amanda Mullarkey, a teacher and parent, spoke on literacy practices. She discussed her work as a teacher in reading and the struggles that students faced with current practices. She spoke on her pursuit of training for better practices and the benefits that the new approach brought to her children, one of whom has dyslexia. She discussed the need for a new literacy approach for students and advocated for improvements to literacy instruction in teacher preparation programs.

Katie Scullion, outreach co-chair at the Illinois Early Literacy Coalition, spoke on the State Literacy Plan. She discussed the lack of teacher preparedness for students struggling with reading and the need for teachers to pursue additional training independently for improved efforts. She advocated for improvements to literacy in teacher preparation programs and for ISBE to enhance accountability for these programs. She discussed the success of programs in Colorado.

Elana Gordon, a reading interventionist at Cicero District 99, spoke on literacy preparation. She said that many teachers feel underprepared to meet student literacy needs and that additional school and added professional development is needed for current teachers to learn best practices. She advocated for improvements in teacher preparation programs for reading education and mentioned the value that these best practices can bring for teachers and their students.

Hank Thiele, superintendent of CHSD 99 in Downers Grove, spoke on Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding. He spoke on the work of his district in CTE and the need for greater investment to meet its program goals. He discussed the increasing demand for CTE programs and technology upgrades in these programs. He highlighted the value that these programs bring to students and advocated for increased state investment in CTE.

Jenine Hanson, president of the Dyslexia Action Group of Naperville, spoke on the State Literacy Plan and teacher preparation. She discussed the effort that teachers make to pursue improvements in their teaching practice and the value that resources on literacy have brought for educators. She advocated for ISBE to ensure that teacher preparation programs are aligned with literacy standards.

Kim Tate, senior policy fellow with Teach Plus Illinois, spoke on teacher preparation programs. She discussed the variable levels of literacy preparation across preparation programs and the need for improved practices. She said her work to follow curricular practices did not result in improved outcome for her students, including for her bilingual students and a student of color. She discussed her independent effort to pursue improved literacy practices and the value it brought to her teaching. She advocated for ISBE to ensure teacher preparation programs effectively teach literacy practices.

Dr. Christy Hild, assistant superintendent for Mattoon CUSD 2, spoke on CTE. She discussed the value that CTE programs brought to students in her district and the many stakeholders who collaborated to implement practices. She highlighted the value of leadership preparation as part of CTE programs. She discussed the increased demand for CTE participation and advocated for increased state investment in CTE funding.

RECOGNITIONS | 2022 ILLINOIS TEACHER OF THE YEAR KIM RADOSTITS

Chair Isoye welcomed Kim Radostits, 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Radostits discussed her experience with the Those Who Excel program and the Illinois Teacher of the Year sabbatical. She talked about her motivations to uplift students facing significant struggles in her work as a teacher. She spoke on her engagement with ISBE staff to explore ways for schools to invest in the freshman-on-track metric.

She discussed her engagement on the national level and the opportunity to advocate for teacher well-being. She spoke on her engagement across the state of Illinois, including advocacy for teachers. She thanked ISBE and the Teacher of the Year/Those Who Excel staff for the opportunities she was able to take advantage of as part of the program.

Chair Isoye thanked her for her efforts and congratulated her on her accomplishments.

RECOGNITIONS | 2023 ILLINOIS TEACHER OF THE YEAR BRIANA MORALES

Chair Isoye introduced Briana Morales, 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Morales introduced herself and spoke on her experience teaching at Gordon Bush Alternative Center in East St. Louis District 189. She discussed her engagement with students and the importance of school and community support for those with the greatest needs. She noted she is on the school board for District 428, operated by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, recently began an adjunct professorship at National Louis University, and is a foster parent. She discussed how these experiences informed her work with students.

She discussed her goals for her sabbatical year. She said she was interested in non-traditional learning practices for students, exploring flexibility opportunities for learners, and sharing a model with best practices for schools across the state. She highlighted the value of competency-based education and finding ways to increase access to these opportunities, particularly for students in alternative schools.

She said she plans to advocate for student and teacher mental health and finding ways to address trauma and loss faced by students, schools, and communities. She spoke on culturally responsive teaching practices and her plans to help provide professional development on this topic for current teachers. She also discussed the importance of uplifting students, particularly girls and students of color, and her work to establish a nonprofit to support these students across the state.

She thanked ISBE for the opportunity and expressed excitement for the chance to work with teachers and students across the state.

Chair Isoye congratulated Ms. Morales on her accomplishments and wished her well on the first year. Dr. Sanders echoed congratulations for Ms. Radostits and Ms. Morales

PRESENTATIONS | THE FIRST 90 DAYS: LISTENING, LEARNING, AND PLANNING

Dr. Sanders presented on his engagement across the state since his start as state superintendent. He gave an overview of his engagements with districts, Regional Offices of Education (ROEs), education advocacy organizations, legislators, state agencies, and ISBE staff and Board members.

He discussed common issues that emerged from discussions through his engagement. He said the teacher shortage was a major concern among districts. He discussed recent legislative efforts to support the teacher pipeline and highlighted the need to uplift the teaching profession.

He said that assessment was another major theme and that he hopes to focus ISBE efforts to make improvements and ensure it is aligned with accountability efforts. He discussed the interest in improving the statewide system of support, expanding ISBE supports beyond the lowest-performing schools, and collaborating with ROEs to enhance outreach with schools.

He said that many nonprofit organizations and private corporations were interested in increased partnership with ISBE on a range of issues, including early childhood and CTE. He said that ISBE internal and external information systems needed improvement and that he hopes to increase opportunities for inter-departmental collaboration. He said that he wants to continue to uplift equity at ISBE and across the state. He discussed meetings with diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders across the state to plan resources and a symposium pertaining to equity for districts.

He shared the goals for the next year he set for the Board, including expanding preschool opportunities, prioritizing the educator pipeline, improving the statewide system of support, and increasing access to early career and dual credit opportunities. He discussed other plans for action, including updates to ISBE’s organizational structure and the process for an updated Strategic Plan.

Mr. Eddy thanked Dr. Sanders for his engagement in the southern region and the value of reconnection after the pandemic. Dr. Sanders said he hoped to continue visits to districts across the state.

Dr. Anderson noted recent education reports from the Education Trust and the National Assessment of Educational Progress discussing the national decline in student science and math scores and low numbers of students of color in Advanced Placement STEM courses. He asked about ways to intervene in this area, and Dr. Sanders said that this could be a point of focus in the new Strategic Plan.

Dr. Leak said she was eager to engage in the strategic planning process.

Mr. Eddy also thanked Chair Isoye for his engagement in the southern region and the value of the visit for local leaders. Dr. Sanders thanked ISBE staff and leadership for their work and applauded their dedication to education. Chair Isoye echoed thanks to staff for their presence in the field.

PRESENTATIONS | LITERACY PLAN UPDATE: DRAFT 1

Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jennifer Kirmes introduced the initial draft for a State Literacy Plan. She introduced Kim Johnson, Kirsten Parr, and Dr. Erica Thieman, the ISBE staff members in Standards and Instruction who are working on the plan.

Dr. Kirmes discussed the background leading to development of a literacy plan, including advocacy from literacy stakeholders across the state. She said that the team planned to have a listening tour and focus groups to collect feedback on the draft plan.

Ms. Parr discussed the sections of plan. She started with the vision and purpose section, which provides goals, a definition for literacy, and the values informing the work. The next section was a framework for evidence-based literacy instruction, which provides an overview of developmentally appropriate practices across the components of literacy.

She then discussed the section on educator professional learning and development, saying that the section would promote practices for reaching current and pre-service teachers. She then discussed the section on effective leadership and support systems, providing a framework to guide school and program leaders on implementing best instructional practices.

She noted the tools and resources section, saying that it was still in development, but would include resources for curriculum evaluation and sample instructional resources.

Dr. Thieman discussed the timeline for the planning process, noting that it was aligned with recent state legislation focused on developing a literacy plan. She said a revised plan would be presented in the fall, with a finalized plan implemented starting January 2024.

She shared the locations for the listening tour, including a virtual engagement opportunity. She shared a list of stakeholder groups that were represented in focus groups for the plan and highlighted the next steps for engagement.

Dr. Leak thanked staff for their work on the plan and asked about how teacher preparation programs were involved in focus groups. Dr. Kirmes said that staff had asked for representatives from programs to participate in the feedback process and noted that higher education authorities were present in previous engagement opportunities. She discussed the team’s focus on ensuring that the plan considered ways to work on improvement in both schools and educator preparation. Dr. Leak emphasized the importance of ensuring preparation programs were represented in the feedback process.

Dr. Leak asked how the listening tour was being promoted. Dr. Kirmes said that staff had collected contacts from a large number of interested individuals from the field with whom they planned to network, and that ISBE Communications staff would also be working to promote the opportunities.

Dr. Leak asked how feedback would be incorporated into the plan. Dr. Kirmes said that ISBE would be working with staff from the Region 9 Comprehensive Center to effectively work through feedback and plan next steps for engagement based on those responses.

Dr. Leak discussed the importance of caution pertaining to any list of state-approved providers or resources and ensuring that districts can select what works best for them. Dr. Kirmes agreed. Dr. Benson echoed Dr. Leak’s comments.

Dr. Nugent asked staff to ensure that both public and private college teacher preparation programs were represented and asked about how preparation programs were present in the literacy plan. Ms. Parr said that they fell under the educator professional learning section. Dr. Nugent asked how they might factor into the leadership, and Ms. Parr said it was focused on the school level, including school, district, and ROE leaders. Dr. Nugent said it would be useful to include leaders in teacher education in the leadership framework.

Mr. Eddy asked about what the plans were to evaluate preparation programs on their literacy instruction practices. Dr. Kirmes said that there was an accountability system for educator preparation programs that has been in development in recent years and that ISBE staff would be working to identify support strategies for programs in need of improvement. She discussed the comparisons that staff had made with other state programs on literacy and that they were interested in a more robust accountability system for preparation programs. Mr. Eddy discussed the significance of consequences in the evaluation process.

Dr. Anderson discussed public comments indicating that teachers had paid out of their own pocket for their own professional development and asked if ISBE had surveys to assess how widespread this was. Dr. Sanders said that a survey for identifying out-of-pocket costs for teachers did not currently exist.

Dr. Anderson noted that the burden of out-of-pocket costs is one factor contributing to the teacher shortage. Dr. Kirmes noted that legislation pending the governor’s signature contained provisions on professional learning and development for teachers, with the general expectation that burdens for teachers would be eased.

Dr. Kirmes noted that public comment was reflective of feedback that the planning group had been receiving from teachers throughout their process. She discussed her experience as a teacher and the support that her school had given through a literacy coach. Dr. Anderson noted that the teachers in public comment had awareness of their need for increased preparedness and pursued development at personal cost. He emphasized a need to assess how widespread this practice was.

Dr. Nugent asked if staff had referenced National Council of Teacher Educator resources on literacy, and Ms. Johnson confirmed that staff had looked to those in the drafting process. Dr. Nugent said that programs needed to align with national standards and to ensure that state guidance did not conflict. Dr. Kirmes noted that current standards reflected the need for improved literacy practice and that present considerations were largely about putting theory into practice.

Dr. Leak noted the importance of distinguishing between structures that regulated programs in other states. She also said Title I and II funds might alleviate personal teacher expenditures and said ISBE should assess what funds were utilized or available on the district level for teacher professional development.

Chair Isoye thanked Board members for their comments and thanked staff for their work. He noted the array of moving pieces that were involved in the process and that staff dedication to their timeline was appreciated.

PRESENTATIONS | LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Interim Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Jennifer Saba provided this update.

She said that the General Assembly had passed a $50.6 billion budget and detailed provisions for different education programs, including in Evidence-Based Funding, the Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program, the Computer Science Equity Grant, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and Smart Start Illinois early childhood initiative.

She noted that a higher number of education-related bills had passed than during the previous spring sessions, and that the three ISBE initiatives had passed with near unanimous support.

She said there were 23 new mandates for schools and districts and discussed different bills that had led to these mandates. She said a veto session was scheduled for the fall, and that ISBE staff was working to develop their legislative agenda for this session.

Dr. Leak asked about forecasting expected costs to districts from the new mandates. Ms. Saba that the process was planned but had yet to occur. Dr. Leak expressed the importance for districts to know of new costs in their budget planning process.

CLOSED SESSION

Mr. Eddy 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, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer 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. 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)

C. Meetings between internal or external auditors and governmental audit committees, finance committees, and their equivalents, when the discussion involves internal control weaknesses, identification of potential fraud risk areas, known or suspected frauds, and fraud interviews conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards of the United States of America. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(29)

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

Dr. Leak seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

The open meeting recessed to go into closed session at 12:03 p.m. The open meeting reconvened at 12:52 p.m.

CONSENT AGENDA

Chair Isoye reviewed the items under the Consent Agenda.

Dr. Leak noted that the Board had reviewed these items at previous meetings.

Dr. Nugent moved that the State Board of Education approves the Consent Agenda.

Dr. Benson seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

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

Approval of Minutes

Plenary Minutes: May 17, 2023

The State Board of Education hereby approves the May 17, 2023, meeting minutes.

Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million

*Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with ROE 40 for the Execution of a School-Based Mental Health Services Grant

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with ROE 40 for fiscal year 2023 in an amount of $10,000 and subsequent renewals for a contract total not to exceed $12.03 million to support the School Based Mental Health Services Grant.

Approvals

*Acceptance Item – Compliance Examination Report for the Two Years Ended June 30, 2022

The State Board of Education hereby accepts the Office of the Auditor General’s Illinois State Board of Education Compliance Examination for the Two Years Ended June 30, 2022.

*Approval of National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) Membership Dues 

The State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to renew NASBE membership for FY 2024 for the amount of $43,780.

CONTRACTS & GRANTS OVER $1 MILLION – APPROVAL OF FY 2024 CONTINUATION SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GRANTS

Dr. Anderson moved that the State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to release FY 2024 Continuation Grant allocations to eligible Local Education Agencies from Title I, Part A, Section 1003 School Improvement funds with respective total values exceeding $1 million over the term of the grant.

Dr. Nugent seconded the motion, and it passed by a roll call vote. Five members were in favor, and Dr. Leak abstained.

DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL

Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of the Release and Award of the Request for Sealed Proposals for Two SharePoint Developers – ISBE Web and ISBE Connects 

Director of Software Solutions Madan Damodaran discussed this item.

Dr. Leak moved that the State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to increase the March 15, 2023, authorization of $2.04 million by $60,000 for a revised total of $2.1 million to award a contract to acquire two software developers to assist in the continued development and maintenance of various SharePoint applications, with the initial term of the contract to begin July 1, 2023, and extend through June 30, 2028 and the estimated contract total costs to not exceed $2.1 million.

Dr. Benson seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Sole Source Contract for ISBE Student Information System

Mr. Damodaran and Supervisor of Software Solutions Donna Schroeder discussed this item.

Dr. Benson moved that the State Board of Education hereby authorizes the state superintendent to approve a one-year sole source contract with IBM for one project manager, one business analyst, two data analysts, two developers, and one technical writer to assist in the development and maintenance of existing data systems as they pertain to the collection and organization of the agency’s Student Information System, with the contract to begin July 1, 2023, and extend through June 30, 2024 and the total contract over a one-year period to not exceed $1,768,735.

Mr. Eddy seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

UPCOMING BOARD ACTIONS

Approval for Publication – Part 1 (Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision) 

Director of Wellness Kim Barnes-Cummins discussed this item.

Mr. Eddy asked if the rule changes came from federal or state changes. Ms. Barnes-Cummins said they pertained to changes on the state level. Mr. Eddy asked to confirm that changes pertained to disputes from parents or students on a decision to use McKinney Vento funding, and Ms. Barnes-Cummins confirmed this was the case. Mr. Eddy noted that districts would have time to give feedback on the proposed changes.

Dr. Leak asked to confirm that this was a part of the Illinois ESSA Plan, and Ms. Barnes Cummins confirmed this was the case.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS

Superintendent/Senior Staff Announcements

Dr. Sanders thanked departing staff members for their service at the agency, including Interim Director of Research and Evaluation Dr. Melissa DiGangi and Legal Officer Jeremy Duffy.

Chair of the Board’s Report

Chair Isoye said that he had met with Dr. Diana Rauner, president of Start Early, to discuss early childhood initiatives.

Chair Isoye said that he met with the board presidents of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) and the Large Unit District Association, highlighting discussion on governance practices.

He shared that the NASBE conference was scheduled and encouraged members to participate, if available. He shared the dates for the Board retreat and discussed plans for development with IASB and NASBE representatives. He also noted that the Triple I conference was scheduled for November.

Board members discussed schedules and plans for the conferences.

Member Reports

There were no announcements.

INFORMATION ITEMS

ISBE Fiscal & Administrative Monthly Reports

Freedom of Information Act Monthly Report

ISBE Quarterly Staff Demographics Report

MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Eddy moved that the State Board of Education adjourns the June 21, 2023, Board meeting.

Dr. Leak seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote. The meeting was adjourned at 1:12 p.m.

Dr. Christine Benson Dr. Steven Isoye Board Secretary Chair of the Board

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/isbe/Board.nsf/files/CUDPSU6421D7/$file/6.A%20DRAFT%20Plenary%20Minutes%20June%2021%2C%202023.pdf