Upcoming Events
Month of March
ISBE 21st CCLC Training
The Family and Community Pillars: Engaging Community Stakeholders
See description below
Friday, March 9 Resource Coordinator Luncheon Morton School of Excellence 431 N. Troy, Chicago, IL 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 pm. Friday, March 16 Community School Orientation Bradley University, Peoria, IL 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Visit our calendar for the training description and to register
-- SAVE THE DATE --
Tuesday, March 20
Common Core Training
Chicago History Museum
1601 N. Clark
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
More info to come
Community Schools National Forum
The Coalition for Community Schools' 2012 National Forum will be held May 9 - 12, 2012 in San Francisco, CA. The registration fee increases after April 6 and discounts for groups of 4 or 10 are also offered.
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How have the state's delayed payments affected you?
The state's inability to pay its bills is challenging for many organizations. Now is your opportunity to do something about it. Illinois Partners for Human Service is collecting stories describing the negative effects the state's delayed payments have had on your organization. Whether it be a decrease in service provision or having to let go of employees, they want to know. Your stories will be used to support their ongoing advocacy efforts on behalf of human service organizations across Illinois. Stories should be sent to Judith Guthner. |
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3 Questions for... Congresswoman Judy Biggert
The Federation and Elev8 Chicago are pleased to announce a new project that will better connect us to our elected officials. "Three Questions for..." asks three education and community schools-related questions of local, state and federal elected officials and includes a biography of the representative. We will feature a new profile in the e-digest and on our website each month (previous profiles will be cataloged there too).
We are very excited that our first profile is of Congresswoman Judy Biggert. Rep. Biggert currently represents the 13th District of Illinois and is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Education & the Workforce Committee, among other committees. Most recently, Rep. Biggert has voted in support of Parental Information & Resource Centers and has introduced legislation that provides for teacher and principal training to address the social and emotional needs of students (H.R. 2437).
Rep. Biggert responds to our first question...
What is the biggest challenge to K - 12 education today?Our nation's elementary and secondary educational system, the incubator of tomorrow's job creators, is long overdue for reform. We simply must reauthorize our nation's federal K-12 programs -- using the knowledge we've gained from 10 years of experience with NCLB -- to capitalize on what works and avoid what doesn't. The most important part of that process will be returning control to state and local educators. I've heard from too many educators who regret having to miss out on "teachable moments" because of the current law's focus on "teaching to the test." That kind of top-down system forces teachers to abandon many creative, enriching aspects of their curriculum in favor of a one-size-fits-all approach that may not be right for many students. By empowering state and local decision-makers to focus on local education priorities and do what they know is in the best interest of their students and communities, we can unleash the kind of innovative thinking our students need to compete and thrive in the 21st century global economy.
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ISBE Submits Final ESEA Waiver
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) submitted their waiver application to the U.S. Department of Education on Feb. 23. The waiver application, if approved, will allow some flexibility around the requirements mandated in No Child Left Behind (also known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act). ISBE did request the optional waiver for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which could allow some of this funding to support an extended school day.
In response to concerns voiced by community-based organizations, afterschool providers and advocates, the US Department of Education recently issued new guidance on the 21st CCLC waivers. The guidance emphasizes that existing 21st CCLC requirements prioritizing school-community partnerships cannot be waived by states; and that the "programming provided through a longer school day, week, or year, must not be 'more of the same' but instead should involve careful planning by the eligible entity to ensure that the programs or activities will be used to improve student achievement and ensure a well-rounded education that prepares students for college and careers." The new clarification also states that existing 21st CCLC grantees cannot lose their funds under the waiver process, and that the 21st CCLC "supplement not supplant" provision applies to the use of 21st CCLC funds to support expanded learning time under ESEA flexibility.
Follow these links to view the ISBE waiver application and ESEA Flexibility Addendum. |
Resource Coordinator Luncheon
Friday, March 9 from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Community school resource coordinators are invited to join us on Friday, March 9th for a Resource Coordinator Luncheon hosted by Antwon Mallory, resource coordinator for Morton School of Excellence / YMCA. Morton is a full day Pioneer School, so Antwon will share some of his experiences with the longer school day and what it's meant for their community school development. Antwon will also discuss work that the YMCA is doing to create linkages among different program areas and bring additional supports and services into their community schools.
Please RSVP to Havilah Darnieder by Wednesday, March 7th, if you would like to attend March's Resource Coordinator Luncheon. Lunch will be provided.
Morton School is located at 431 N. Troy Street, Chicago, IL. |
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