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NEWS Schoolhouse Meetings Seek Local Input FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR INFORMATION, CALL The Illinois State Board of Education is going on the road to listen to local community members about ways the agency can better support schools and students, according to State Superintendent of Education Glenn W. McGee. ISBE will hold a series of Schoolhouse Meetings throughout the state in June and again in September. These Schoolhouse Meetings are a part of McGee’s overall improvement plan for the agency that focuses on listening to and responding more effectively to ideas from local schools and communities. He said he wants the input of students, parents, teachers, administrators, community and business leaders about ways the state can support districts’ efforts to ensure that all students meet or exceed the Illinois Learning Standards. “We ask local schools to conduct external reviews to evaluate their efforts and to get additional ideas for improvements, and we must be willing to do the same,” said McGee. “I believe that the ideas we garner at these Schoolhouse Meetings will help us better assist schools in improving student achievement of the Illinois Learning Standards.” The largest portion of each two-hour meeting will be set aside for hearing from participants. Each meeting will also include a panel presentation that will focus on the Illinois Learning Standards – the cornerstone of the state’s education system. The Learning Standards outline the skills and knowledge each student needs to succeed in life. “The key to success in education is what happens in classrooms. Our job at the state is to help support that. Local input and involvement in tailoring that state support to meet the needs of schools are not only welcome, but absolutely required if we are to achieve our goal of making Illinois schools Second to None,” said State Board Chairman Ron Gidwitz. “I applaud Superintendent McGee and his staff for undertaking this first-ever statewide initiative. The state must provide leadership in this effort to help students, and suggestions from our ‘stakeholders’ will help us do that more effectively.” McGee stressed that everyone is invited and urged to attend. He also encourages superintendents to bring a “team” of representatives from their districts and communities who can talk about local collaborative efforts to improve achievement of the Standards. Registration is free and easy on-line at www.isbe.state.il.us/schoolhouse or at the door. Everyone is welcome.
Schoolhouse
Meeting Schedule Monday,
June 12 Morning Agenda,
Reagan Middle School, 620 E. Division, Dixon Tuesday, June 13 Afternoon Agenda, Jacksonville High School, 1211 N. Diamond, Jacksonville Host: Regional Superintendent Don Kording Wednesday,
June 14 Morning Agenda,
Reavis High School, 6034 W. 77th St., Burbank Monday, June 19 Morning Agenda, Schaumburg H. S., 1100 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg Host: Regional Superintendent Joseph Kaczanowski Monday,
June 19 Afternoon Agenda,
Jones Magnet High School, 606 S. State Street, Chicago Tuesday,
June 20 Morning Agenda,
Hononegah High School, 307 Salem St., Rockton Tuesday, June 20 Afternoon Agenda, Rock Island High School, 1400 25th Avenue, Rock Island Host: Regional Superintendent Joseph Vermeire Wednesday,
June 21 Morning Agenda, Dunlap High School, 5220 W. Legion Hall
Road, Dunlap Wednesday, June 21 Afternoon Agenda, Centennial High School, 913 S. Crescent Dr., Champaign Host: Regional Superintendent Martin Barrett Thursday,
June 22 Morning Agenda,
Effingham High School, 1301 W. Grove, Effingham Thursday,
June 22 Afternoon Agenda,
Vienna High School, 601 N. First Street, Vienna Friday,
June 23 Morning Agenda, East
St. Louis High School, 4901 State Street, East
St. Louis Agenda Information 8-8:30 a.m. 3-3:30 p.m. Register, network and ask questions in the customer service exhibit area. 8:30-9 a.m. 3:30-4 p.m. State Superintendent McGee and staff seek public input, give information updates and discuss the Illinois Learning Standards 9-10 a.m. 4-5 p.m. Q & A Discussion Fall Tour Fall sites will include the Bloomington, Carlinville, Decatur, Elgin, Freeport, Galesburg, Grayslake, Kankakee, Mt. Vernon, Quincy, and Robinson areas, and other locations to be announced. |