Grundy Reporter

Illinois State Board of Education Policy Planning Committee met May 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Roll Call

Chairperson Susie Morrison brought the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present with three members. She verified that each member could hear one another and follow the discussion, and that they were able to testify.

Committee Members Present

Chairperson Susie Morrison

Dr. Donna Leak (virtual)

Jaime Guzman (virtual)

Other Board Members Present

Darren Reisberg (virtual), arrived at 1:03 p.m.

Staff Present

Dr. Carmen I. Ayala, State Superintendent

Kirsten Parr, Board Services Coordinator

Kim Clarke, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent

Barbara Moore, Director of Special Education

Dr. Brenda Dixon, Research and Evaluation Officer

Dr. Christine Paxson, Director of ESSA/IL-EMPOWER

Dr. Dana Kinley, Executive Director of Systems of Support

Dr. Erica Thieman, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Ernesto Matias, Education Officer

Dr. Jennifer Kirmes, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning

Oriana Wilson, Executive Director of Programs

Robert Wolfe, Financial Officer

Irma Snopek, Policy and Communications Officer

Cara Wiley, Director of Wellness

Jeremy Duffy, Legal Officer

Laura Boedeker, Assistant Legal Counsel

Emily Fox, Director of Educator Effectiveness

Molly Uhe-Edmonds, Director of Student Care

Joanne Clyde, Director of Multilingual

Dean Held, Supervisor of Nutrition

Sergio Hernandez, Director of Family and Community Engagement

II. Public Participation

Dr. Jason Leahy, executive director of the Illinois Principals Association, spoke in support of Part 30 principal preparation rules. He added that stakeholders were in communication with ISBE, and the rules are now in a good place.

Cassie Creswell, director of Illinois Families for Public Schools, spoke about the state assessment. She believes the state assessment needs to change and would like more engagement with parents. She added that there is no support for more testing. She is looking forward to ISBE acting on the recommendations.

Jim O’Connor, project director at Advance Illinois, discussed Part 30 rules. He thanked ISBE for adding additional stakeholder feedback. He noted his support for the updated rules.

Rebecca Kaegi, a teacher and mother from Oak Park, spoke about standardized testing. She stated that she has seen firsthand the impact that testing has on curriculum. She noted that she is worried about testing three times a year.

Bev Johns, board president for the Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois, discussed the assessment. She noted that assessments must be evidence-based, culturally relevant, and take mental health into account.

Barb Cohen, a policy analyst for the Legal Council for Health Justice, spoke about IL-EMPOWER. She noted that a lot of money is spent on IL-EMPOWER initiatives. She is worried that Learning Partners are not helping districts, and she suggested creating accountability measures for Learning Partners.

III. Approval of the April 5, 2022, Meeting Minutes

Mr. Guzman made the motion for the Education Policy Planning Committee to approve the April 5, 2022, meeting minutes. Dr. Leak seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

IV. Discussion Items

A. CPS Inquiry Update

Mr. Duffy, Ms. Moore, and Ms. Boedeker presented on this item. They gave a brief summary on public inquiry corrective action and talked about state special education general supervision and the special education accountability and support system. They discussed steps moving forward.

Mr. Guzman asked how frequently the meetings will occur. Ms. Moore noted the meeting times have not been determined yet, but the hope is to have one meeting each week with ISBE staff, the Legal Department, and representatives from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) all together.

Mr. Guzman would like to make sure the team is improving outcomes for students with disabilities, and he noted he supports the enhanced general supervision approach.

Dr. Leak added that the dispute numbers in Chicago were high and would like to continue to watch that dataset. Ms. Moore confirmed that the team will continue to look at the indicators; it has monitored the numbers over the past few years.

Chair Morrison asked if the dispute numbers have increased over the past few years, and the answer was yes.

V. Review of May Board Action Items

A. Approval for Publication- Part 1 (Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision) Public Acts 101-643; 102-411; 102-584

There were no questions for this item.

B. Approval for Publication – Part 24 (Standards for All Illinois Educators) Illinois Professional Educator Standards There were no questions for this item.

C. Approval for Adoption – Part 1 (Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision) Bullying Policy Submission Requirements

There were no questions for this item.

D. Approval for Adoption – Part 1 (Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision) Public Acts 102-44; 102-55; 102-195; 102-357; 102-405

There were no questions for this item.

E. Approval for Adoption - Part 1 (Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision) Comprehensive Sexual Health Education

There were no questions for this item.

F. Approval for Adoption - Parts 30 (Programs for the Preparation of Principals in Illinois) and 33 (Programs for the Preparation of Superintendents in Illinois)

Dr. Leak noted her appreciation for more stakeholder engagement. Mr. Guzman thanked stakeholders and ISBE staff.

G. Approval for Adoption – Part 228 (Transitional Bilingual Education)

There were no questions for this item.

H. Approval for Adoption - Parts 226 (Special Education) and 401 (Special Education Facilities Under Section 14- 7.02 of the School Code)

There were no questions for this item.

I. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of IGA with ROE #9 to Administer the Learning Technology Center

Dr. Leak shared the Learning Technology Center is a valuable resource. Chair Morrison appreciated the data the staff provided regarding the Learning Technology Center.

J. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Request for Proposals for Summer Migrant Education Programs

There were no questions for this item.

K. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Preschool Development Grant Birth – 5, Year 3 – National Louis University

Dr. Leak asked where the additional funding came from. Zach Allen, workforce policy coordinator for the Governor’s Office, noted it is carried over funding from Year 2.

L. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval to Release FY 2023 IL-EMPOWER Continuation Grant Allocations Exceeding $1 Million

Chair Morrison noted that she is looking forward to outcome and achievement data that shows this is a good investment. Dr. Leak added there are accountability measures in place. She shared that it is important to report the data. Chair Morrison noted that there could be a website with all information to hold partners accountable.

M. Approval of Cut Scores for Redesigned Licensure Exams

Mr. Guzman asked if two of the exams were redesigned. The answer was yes, and Ms. Fox shared that two of the exams are a part of the redesign process with Pearson.

VI. Review of June Board Action Items

A. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Request Approval to Release a Request for Sealed Proposals (RFSP) and Award Subsequent Contract(s) to Conduct Initial School-level Needs Assessments for IL-EMPOWER Schools

Dr. Matias and Ms. Paxson presented on this item.

Chair Morrison asked if ISBE could put out the contract. Ms. Paxson noted she thinks that approach could work as well.

Chair Morrison asked if the team is thinking about a guided self-evaluation. The answer was yes, and Ms. Paxson added it is a requirement for comprehensive schools.

Chair Morrison wondered if the team considered doing a pilot. She also asked if schools that remain on the comprehensive list for a while would be a great target, and Ms. Paxson agreed. Chair Morrison asked when the team is identifying new schools, and the answer was in the fall. Chair Morrison suggested that the team follow the coaching model.

Chair Morrison asked how many standards and indicators there are. Ms. Paxson noted there are seven in IQX and more in the SEF.

Dr. Leak noted that all the schools on the list will have different needs and that some Learning Partners have prescribed methods. She believes that partners need to meet districts where they are.

Mr. Guzman wondered if there could be a hybrid approach. He thinks it is important to define what the standards are and believes there still needs to be some vendors. Dr. Ayala noted that there is a list of vetted vendors and that list is valuable to districts. She also thinks the hybrid approach is a good solution.

Chair Morrison hopes the team takes the time to think this through and use available data. She believes that a quick turnaround is not a good approach.

Mr. Reisberg asked if ISBE taking the lead would change the dollar usage, and the answer was yes. Ms. Paxson explained that the funding is currently going to the Local Education Agencies, and it would shift to the state set-aside dollars.

Chair Morrison asked how many administrative dollars the agency keeps. Ms. Paxson noted she can follow up with the committee.

B. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – FY 2023 Virtual Coaching/Mentoring for New Teachers Dr. Matias and Ms. Fox presented on this item.

Chair Morrison asked about enrollment. Ms. Fox noted that the plan is to increase the number of new teachers, and the team is working with teacher residency programs.

Chair Morrison asked about outreach. Ms. Fox noted she can check and share ideas with the Illinois Education Association (IEA).

Chair Morrison would like a list of the 44 districts. Ms. Fox said she could provide that information.

Dr. Leak asked if the team is maintaining a retention record. Ms. Fox noted she can pull that information. Dr. Leak also expressed her admiration for the program. Dr. Ayala discussed the retention practices.

Mr. Reisberg wondered why some districts are not participating and thought maybe there is a lack of awareness. Ms. Fox said she would check with IEA. Dr. Leak noted that there are many supports available and believes that a new teacher needs as much support as possible. She agreed that districts may not know about the initiative. Mr. Reisberg encouraged the team to develop an engagement plan.

C. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Award of Invitation for Bid for USDA Foods Warehousing and Distribution Dr. Matias and Mr. Held presented on this item.

There were no questions for this item.

D. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Request Approval to Release FY 2023 Parent Mentor Program Grant Exceeding $1 Million to Southwest Organizing Project (State General Revenue Funds)

Dr. Matias and Mr. Hernandez presented on this item.

Mr. Guzman asked if this initiative consists of state funding, and the answer was yes.

E. Approval of Enhanced General Supervision Plan Regarding CPS Special Education

Mr. Duffy, Ms. Boedeker, and Ms. Moore presented on this item.

There were no questions for this item.

F. Approval of State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board Appointees

Dr. Matias and Ms. Fox presented on this item.

Chair Morrison asked if there are geographic requirements, and the answer was no. Chair Morrison encouraged the team to be more conscious about geographic representation. Dr. Ayala added that along with geography, other diversity aspects are also important.

VII. New Business: Items for the Next Agenda

Some possible business items the committee considered included an update on the Strategic Plan, IL EMPOWER, Learning Partners, and the connections between licensure and standards.

VIII. Next Meeting: June 2, 2022

IX. Adjourn

Dr. Leak made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Guzman seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Chairperson Morrison adjourned the meeting at 2:05 p.m.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/20220503-EPP-Minutes.pdf