Illinois Officials Working To Rework Expulsion Rules
The AP reports that the Illinois Board of Education has begun working with lawmakers to draft legislation prohibiting school districts from expelling students because they fail to satisfy academic and attendance standards. Current law allows districts to deny enrollment to students 17 and older who fail to achieve a D average or are have unexcused absences more than 20 percent of the time. Amanda Elliott, the Board's co-legislative director, told Board members on Wednesday that the initiative seeks to prevent at-risk students "from being pushed out of the system." State Superintendent Tony Smith said the initiative comports with other recent Board efforts "to connect and hold on to kids and not be pushing kids out." The bill's legislative sponsor, state Sen. Kimberly Lightford, stated that the proposed legislation will aim to reduce racial disparities in suspensions and expulsions, while diminishing their overall use.

Illinois Schools Chief Says ED Is Micromanaging ESSA Implementation
In commentary for U.S. News & World Report, Illinois Superintendent Tony Smith writes that while Algebra II is a vital course for all students to take, it "isn't essential that they all learn it or be tested on it at the same time though, as some federal Education Department officials have insisted." Smith lambastes such policies as "micromanagement," and says ESSA was conceived to eliminate the "over-centralization and standardization required by its predecessor, No Child Left Behind, and the top-down approach too often applied by the US Department of Education." Smith expresses the concern that ED will attempt to take too heavy a role in regulating ESSA.

• Downloadable HD Videos
• Facilitator Directions
• Participant Handouts
• PowerPoint Slides

• Module 1: Overview of Assessment Types
• Module 2: National Assessment
• Module 3: District Assessment
• Module 4: Local/Classroom Assessment

2016-2017 Moon Scholarship Program

To obtain more information on the application and awards process, click here or contact Cherry Middleton, IASA Executive Secretary/Office Manager, at 217-753-2213 or email at cmiddleton@iasaedu.org. This year's application deadline is Monday, January 2, 2017.

Vacancy Oak Park River Forest High School District 200 Superintendent

The Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 Board of Education announces the opening of a search for a new Superintendent who will assume responsibility on July 1, 2017.  Additional information about Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 may be found at www.oprfhs.org, or contact one of the BWP consultants listed below.  Interested candidates need to complete the online application process at www.bwpassociates.com.  Application deadline is October 15, 2016.

An application requires:

• A completed online Applicant Data Form
• A letter of application indicating reasons for interest in the position
• A current resume
• A brief description of major professional accomplishments
• College/university transcripts
• Three to five letters of recommendation
• Eligible to serve as a Superintendent in Illinois           (Illinois grants reciprocity)

Application materials will be treated confidentially. Applicants are directed not to contact members of the Board of Education. Each candidate will be informed of the Board's selection and appointment of the new Superintendent. The final selection and appointment is the sole responsibility of the Board of Education.

BWP & Associates, Ltd.

872 South Milwaukee Avenue, #221

Libertyville, IL 60048

For additional information, please contact one of the BWP search consultants:

Dr. Philip Ehrhardt                                630-514-7003

Dr. Anne Noland                                   630-624-3336

Dr. Sheila Harrison-Williams                  708-935-0471

Dr. Ronald Barnes                                 812-322-7734

Description:  The Maroa-Forsyth School District 2 Board of Education announces
the opening of a search for a new Superintendent of Schools who will assume responsibility on July 1, 2017. The position offers an outstanding opportunity for an individual to lead this dynamic school district.  Maroa-Forsyth School District serves more than 1,200 Pre-Kindergarten - 12th grade students from the communities of
Maroa and Forsyth in three schools.  The district is located just north of Decatur and
in close proximity to both Champaign and Bloomington, Illinois.  A large shopping
mall and commercial district along Interstate 72 in Forsyth attracts many to the area.

The School District's philosophy states: "The school district, in active partnership with parents and community, will promote excellence in a caring environment in which all students learn and grow. The partnership shall empower all students to develop a strong self-esteem and to become responsible learners and decision-makers. The school district is committed to developing and using a visionary and innovative curriculum and knowledgeable and dedicated staff."

The Maroa-Forsyth community is served by a highly qualified, talented faculty and a committed Board of Education, with strong support from its parents and community. A regionally competitive salary and benefit package will be offered.  Additional information about Maroa-Forsyth may be found at http://www.mfschools.org/unit/index.htm or contact one of the BWP consultants listed below.

Description: The Lee's Summit School R-7 District Board of Education announces the commencement of a search for a new Superintendent of Schools who will assume responsibilities on or before July 1, 2017.  This is an exceptional professional opportunity for a qualified and experienced administrator to provide leadership to a large K-12 school district that is recognized as one of the top educational systems in the state and nation. Lee's Summit R-7 is a large and growing school district with a student population of 17,750. The District encompasses 117 square miles in the southeastern portion of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Within its boundaries sit four different communities, Lee's Summit, Greenwood, Lake Lotawana and Lake Winnebago, as well as unincorporated areas and a small portion of the Blue Springs and Kansas City municipalities. The schools are supported by a committed faculty and by a dedicated Board of Education.  Additional information about the school district may be found at www.lsr7.org.

A regionally competitive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate.  Application deadline is November 11, 2016.

Description:  Bensenville Elementary School District 2, located in northeastern DuPage County and bordering O'Hare airport seeks a Co-Principal for the Johnson Elementary School beginning on July 1, 2017. Bensenville District 2 serves a diverse student population of approximately 2,200 students. Johnson Elementary has a student enrollment of close to 650 in its K-5 program. Johnson is a beautiful new facility located in the western part of the community. A special attribute of Johnson Elementary is the Co-Principal model, a mainstay in both of the District 2 elementary schools. This unique and highly successful administrative setup allows for equal assignment of responsibilities to both Co-Principals.

District 2 is a financially stable, diverse and innovative school system. The district has been recognized by the State of Illinois and U.S. Department of Education for growth in student achievement (National Blue Ribbon Award 2011). It has also been a leader in teacher training, performance evaluation and was recently recognized by the State Board of Education as being the highest performing school district in Illinois in the federal Race to the Top Program (2015). District 2 was an early implementer of the Common Core back in 2010 and successfully completed the work required under the Performance Evaluation Review Act (PERA) to have student outcomes in teacher evaluation in 2012. This exciting and unique opportunity will afford a career minded and dedicated professional a chance to work with a collegial and progressive administrative team. The opportunity to share the principal position on a full time basis is a rare chance to collaborate with a colleague on a day-to-day professional basis. This really is a chance for a special type of leader to excel in his/her career.

The ideal candidate will have a strong record of accomplishment as an instructional leader, excellent communication skills, a collaborative philosophy, and the ability to involve all stakeholders in the continuing process of positive growth and change. A proven growth mindset will be essential for success in this position. The ability to communicate in Spanish, while not a requirement, would be a strong asset to any candidate interested. Additional information about Johnson School and District 2 can be found on the district website www.bsd2.org.  A competitive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate.

Application Procedure:  Interested candidates need to complete the online application process at www.bwpassociates.com by November 15, 2016. An application requires a completed online Applicant Data Form; a letter of application indicating qualifications and reasons for interest in the position; a current resume; College/University transcripts; three to five letters of recommendation; and evidence of eligibility to serve as a Principal in Illinois. All of the required materials should be submitted online at www.bwpassociates.com. Application materials will be treated confidentially. Applicants are requested not to contact the Superintendent but to direct questions to the search consultants.

For additional information, please contact one of the BWP & Associates' search consultants: Dr. Mark Friedman at 847-975-8393 or Dr. Joe Porto at 847-533-3587.