Grundy Reporter

Illinois State Board of Education Education Policy Planning Committee met Nov. 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Roll Call

Chairperson Susie Morrison brought the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present with three members.

Members Present

Chairperson Susie Morrison

Cynthia Latimer (via phone)

Jackie Robbins (via phone) (excused herself at 1 p.m.)

Staff Present

Dr. Carmen I. Ayala, State Superintendent

Jeff Aranowski, Executive Director, Safe and Healthy Climate (via phone)

Kim Clarke, Interim Board Services Coordinator

Heather Calomese, Executive Director, Programs (via phone)

Dr. Brenda M. Dixon, Research and Evaluation Officer

Amanda Elliott, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs

Megan Griffin, Director, Internal Communications

Dr. Jason Helfer, Deputy Officer, Instructional Education

Dr. Jennifer Kirmes, Executive Director, Teaching and Learning

Dr. Ernesto Matias, Education Officer

Allison Sherman, Executive Director, ESSA

Irma Snopek, Policy and Communications Officer (via phone)

II. Public Participation

No public participation at this time.

III. Approval of the October 22, 2019, Meeting Minutes

Ms. Robbins made the motion for the Education Policy Planning Committee to approve the Oct. 22, 2019, meeting minutes. Ms. Latimer seconded the motion, and it passed by voice vote.

IV. Discussion Items

A. Review of December Board Agenda Items

1.Part 235 (Early Childhood Block Grant) Chronic Absenteeism

Ms. Snopek reviewed the amendments to the Part 235 Rules.

2.Part 425 (Voluntary Registration and Recognition of Nonpublic Schools) General Cleanup

Ms. Elliott reviewed the amendments to the Part 415 Rules. Agency staff will look back at some dates included in the rulemaking to ensure that the drafting changes are not retroactive or in error.

3.Approval of STAR NET Project (Funding Increase)

Ms. Calomese reviewed the agency’s request of a one-time funding increase of $10,000 for each of six STAR NET regions.

4.Approval of Summer Migrant Education Program Request for Proposals

Ms. Calomese reviewed the request for funding for the Summer Migrant Education Program.

5.Approval of 2019 Illinois State Board of Education Annual Report for General Assembly

Ms. Griffin reviewed the timeline for the completion the 2019 ISBE Annual Report for the General Assembly.

6.Perkins V

Dr. Kirmes outlined the structure of the Perkins V update that the Board will receive during the December Board meeting. Chairperson Morrison requested that the Board receive this (and other) PowerPoint presentations ahead of time and that staff highlight key areas of interest in order to allow for more discussion among Board members.

7. ESSA

Ms. Sherman reviewed the Superintendent’s and agency’s recommendations based on the presentation given at the November Board meeting regarding the ESSA amendment. An update will be sent to the Board via the Weekly Update regarding the accountability indicators.

Ms. Sherman also stated that prior to the December Board meeting, the Board will receive a report on IL- EMPOWER, which will be followed up with Ms. Sherman’s presentation during the Board meeting.

8.Legislative Update

Ms. Elliott reported on the movement of Senate Bill 0010, the trailer bill to the basic skills test bill. She also briefly explained the typical 30-day legislative process for bill passage and adoption. She reported that the Senate has expedited this process, and that this bill should be approved by the Governor’s Office before the December Board meeting.

B. Review of January Board Agenda Items

1.Part 375 (Student Records) Maintenance of Student Records

Ms. Elliott reported that the Part 375 Rules are being modified to align with Public Act 101-0515 and Public Act 101-0161.

2.Part 650 (Charter Schools) Charter Authorization and Oversight

Ms. Elliott reviewed the legislation abolishing the Illinois State Charter School Commission, effective July 1, 2020, and the resulting impact for the agency in terms of responsibilities and rulemakings.

Dr. Ayala stated that the agency is seeking to acquire additional staff, including a Director of Charter Schools and six other staff positions. Dr. Matias stated that there are three staff members currently in place, so there is a possibility of nine staff members overseeing charter schools.

3.Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with Illinois State University to Administer the Illinois National Board for Professional Preparation Support System

Dr. Kirmes reviewed the agency’s request for a one-year intergovernmental agreement with the National Board Resource Center at Illinois State University.

4.Approval of Early Childhood Block Grant RFP

Ms. Calomese and Dr. Helfer reviewed the agency request to release the Early Childhood Block Grant Request for Proposals (RFP), which will begin July 1, 2020. It is being released prior to the agency knowing whether funds will be allocated, so that the agency can review proposals in advance of the budget.

5.Approval of Cut Score Recommendations for Redeveloped Licensure Test

Dr. Kirmes reviewed the agency’s request to authorize Phase 4 groups 4 and 5 cut scores for the Illinois Licensure Testing System’s redeveloped licensure test. She also clarified that the agency is in the process of redeveloping multiple content tests required for teacher licensure, including determining cut scores, with stakeholder feedback.

V. Assessment Audit Update

Dr. Dixon provided an update on the Assessment Department’s progress in evaluating Illinois’ assessment structure, namely progress on distribution of its survey and curation of focus groups. Chairperson Morrison requested that the agency put reminders of the survey in Dr. Ayala’s weekly message.

Dr. Dixon will be giving an update to the Board about the assessment audit and assessment Request for Sealed Proposals (RFSP) closer to January or February because the audit will inform the RFSP.

VI. Virtual Schools

Dr. Helfer provided an update on the Illinois Virtual Course Catalog and reimbursement process. He also reviewed statute regarding virtual education and the agency’s responsibilities.

VII. New Business: Items for the next agenda

Chairperson Morrison noted that Early Childhood and IL-EMPOWER should be marked for the January agenda. In addition, she stated that another draft of Perkins V would come before the Board in January.

Dr. Matias remarked that new information for the Educator Preparation, Support, and Success initiative would be shared at the January Board meeting.

Dr. Ayala highlighted that the Student Advisory Council was scheduled to attend the January Board meeting.

Dr. Ayala remarked that the February big topic agenda item is currently assessment and data, and that an assessment review for the January Board meeting would align nicely.

VIII.Next Meeting: January 7, 2020 IX. Adjournment

Chairperson Morrison adjourned the committee at 1:40 p.m.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/Minutes-11-26-19.pdf