News Center
2007 Archive
December 28, 2007 -- State Board of Education working with local districts to improve technology training through online courses
More than 340 teachers learning how to better bring technology into the classroom
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced today that more than 340 teachers in 26 districts statewide will be participating in a series of in-depth, online courses focused on bringing technology into the classroom.
December
4, 2007 -- Illinois recognized as a leader for National Board
Certified Teachers
Illinois 4th in the nation with more
than 500 achieving highest teaching credential in 2007;
2nd year Illinois attains national ranking
The
Illinois State Board of Education announced today that
Illinois ranks fourth in the nation
for having the highest number of teachers achieving National
Board Certification in 2007.
November
20, 2007 -- Illinois State Board of Education honors winners
of first homeless
education poster contest
Seventh-grader highlights impact of homelessness on families,
children and youth
The Illinois State Board of Education
(ISBE) recognized the importance of homeless education in
Illinois by honoring the winners of the 2007 Homeless Education
Poster Contest at an awards luncheon today in Springfield.
November
18, 2007 -- Indian Prairie board member named recipient of
the 2007 Thomas Lay Burroughs Award
Illinois State Board of Education honors 16-year district school
board member
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today presented
Mark C. Metzger, school board president for Indian Prairie
Community Unit School District 204, with the 2007 Thomas Lay
Burroughs Award.
November 6, 2007 -- Two outstanding Illinois
students named State Advanced Placement Scholars
State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch today
announced the two Illinois high school students that are
being recognized as Illinois' State Advanced Placement
(AP) Scholars based on their outstanding performance on
the Advanced
Placement Program Examinations.
October
31, 2007 -- (Peoria) State Superintendent, local education
leaders urge the Illinois House to pass a
bill that ensures state schools get funds they need for
FY08 school year
Failure to pass Budget Implementation Bill means 700 school
districts will receive less state aid starting in November;
Area schools will see a loss of more than $1.2 million per
month without Budget Implementation Bill
Illinois State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch,
joined Peoria County Regional Superintendent of Education Dr.
Gerald M. Brookhart, as well as other local education officials
to urge lawmakers to pass legislation that will prevent more
than 700 school districts from losing critical funding for
the FY08 school year.
October 31, 2007 -- 2007 Report Card shows
nearly 300 struggling schools making significant improvement
184 schools make AYP for second year to move off academic improvement
status
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced today
that more than 200 schools and districts are being removed
from improvement status as a result of their student performance,
attendance rates and graduation rates. The schools and districts
met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two consecutive years
by meeting the standards of No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
October
29, 2007 -- (Belleville) State Superintendent,
local education leaders urge the Illinois House to pass a
bill that ensures state schools get funds they need for FY08
school year
Failure to pass Budget Implementation Bill means 700 school
districts will receive less state aid starting in November;
St. Clair, Madison County schools will see a reduction of
$2.5 million per month if the House fails to take action
Illinois
State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch,
joined Regional Superintendents from St. Clair, Madison
and Monroe/Randolph counties, as well as other local education
officials to urge lawmakers to pass legislation that will
prevent more than 700 school districts from losing critical
funding for the FY08 school year.
October
29, 2007 -- (Springfield) State Superintendent, local education
leaders urge the Illinois House to pass a bill
that ensures state schools get funds they need for FY08 school
year
Failure to pass Budget Implementation Bill means 700 school
districts will receive less state aid starting in November;
Area schools will see a reduction of more than $700,000 per
month without Budget Implementation Bill
Illinois State Superintendent of Education Christopher A.
Koch, joined representatives from the Illinois Association
of School Boards, Illinois Principals Association, as well
as other local education officials to urge lawmakers to pass
legislation that will prevent more than 700 school districts
from losing critical funding for the FY08 school year.
October
22, 2007 -- ISBE & IDHS
announce national conference to strengthen support systems
for refugee families begins
today in Chicago
2007 conference highlights Illinois' influx of
refugees from Burundi, Burma, and Iraq
The Illinois State board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois
Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced today that
several state agencies are working with refugee and immigration
advocates to focus on ways to assist refugee and immigrant
children and their families during the 2007 National Refugee
and Immigrant Conference.
October
22, 2007 -- Governor's Task
Force on Re-enrolling Students holds summit to keep students
in school, bring
New report released at summit shows dropping out impacts
a student's health, income, job stability
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich's Task
Force on Re-Enrolling Students Who Dropped Out of School
is hosting
a statewide summit today as part of their ongoing work
to address the needs of dropout students in Illinois, studying
the fiscal,
social and economic hardships students face without a high
school diploma.
October
21, 2007 -- ISBE & IDOT team
up to stress importance of school bus safety
National School Bus Safety Week - Oct. 22-26
theme reminds drivers and students to be careful at the bus
stop
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department
of Transportation (IDOT) are reminding students, parents and
drivers about the importance of school bus safety both on and
off the school bus during National School Bus Safety Week.
October
16, 2007 -- Illinois State
Board of Education announces FY 2009 Budget Hearings
The Illinois State Board of Education's
Finance and Audit Committee has set eight Fiscal Year 2009
Budget Hearings to be held statewide. The public is invited
to attend and those wishing to participate in these hearings
may sign-in upon arrival at each location.
October
13, 2007 -- Loves Park teacher named 2007-2008 Illinois
Teacher of the Year
Businesswoman turned art teacher
will serve as ambassador for state's teachers
The
Illinois State Board of Education has named Ruth Meissen,
an art teacher at Harlem Middle School
in Loves Park, as Illinois Teacher of the Year. Meissen will
spend next semester representing Illinois Teachers at state,
local and national events.
October
10, 2007 -- Chicago Language teacher earns national recognition
for bringing the world to her
students
Carl Schurz High School teacher receives Milken National Educator
Award
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Milken
Family Foundation announced today that Chicago Public Schools
teacher Samantha Godden-Chmielowicz has been selected as a
Milken National Educator. Godden-Chmielowicz, a World Language
teacher at Carl Schurz High School, will receive $25,000 as
part of the award.
October 10, 2007 -- Chicago teacher earns national recognition
for her commitment and dedication to students
Las Casas teacher selected for Milken National Educator Award
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Milken
Family Foundation announced today Chicago Public Schools
Teacher Katherine Whitington has been selected for the Milken
National Educator Award. Whitington, a Reading/English/Language
Arts teacher at Las Casas Occupational High School will receive
$25,000 as part of the award.
October
4, 2007 -- World Teachers’ Day; Rockford educator named 2007 History Teacher of the Year
ISBE
to honor Illinois' outstanding teachers at annual
Those
Who Excel banquet
The Illinois State Board of Education
(ISBE) is urging students, parents and administrators to
celebrate World Teachers' Day on Friday, October 5,
by honoring teachers that have and are making a difference
in their lives. Rockford educator, Theresa Bartsch, will
be honored as the 2007 Illinois History Teacher of the Year
on World Teachers' Day during the annual Illinois
Council for the Social Studies Convention in Lisle.
September 26, 2007—ISBE
honors more than 150 outstanding individuals for their service
to education
33rd year agency to honor contributions to education at
Those Who Excel/Teacher of the Year ProgramSPRINGFIELD
– The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced
today award recipients that will be singled out for their
outstanding service at the 33rd annual Those Who Excel/Teacher
of the Year banquet.
September 25, 2007—Governor
Blagojevich signs law to provide better coordination of State's
education systems
HB 1648 will help align state's educational
focus from preschool through graduate school
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today
signed legislation that will help provide better coordination
of the State's education systems. House Bill 1648 creates
the Illinois P-20 Council which will advise leaders in State
government and education stakeholders on how to better align
Illinois' education systems—from pre-kindergarten
through post-secondary education.
September 20, 2007—ISBE names
15 outstanding scholars to Student Advisory Council
Selected high school students
offer valuable insight to State Board
The Illinois State Board of
Education (ISBE) announced today that 15 outstanding sophomores,
juniors and seniors from across Illinois have been selected
to represent their peers on the ISBE Student Advisory Council
for 2007-2008. The new council came together and began in
their new roles during this week's September State Board
meeting.
September 19, 2007—ISBE
announces earliest release of Report Card data to schools
in more than 20 years
Spring testing data shows ISAT, IMAGE scores
are up
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced
today the release of the 2007 School Report Card to schools
and districts statewide — the earliest release in the
21-years of producing school report cards. Analysis of the
2007 statewide testing data also shows improvement and ongoing
progress for Illinois' students.
September 12, 2007—Illinois
State Board of Education announces $1 million to support agriculture
education in Illinois
300 schools to receive additional funds to invest in agriculture
programs; seven high schools starting new ag education programs
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced
$1 million in agricultural education incentive grants that
will be distributed to 300 schools around the state for the
2007-2008 school year.
August 29, 2007—8 teachers
selected as finalists for Illinois Teacher of the Year
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
announced today the names of the eight finalists for the 2007-2008
Illinois Teacher of the Year.
August
28, 2007—Record number of Illinois
students take AP tests; minority participation increases
across the board
Participation by Black, Puerto Rican students up by more
than 30 percent
A record number of Illinois high school students took Advanced
Placement (AP) tests in 2006-2007, according to a report released
today by the College Board.
August 27, 2007—ISBE,
IDOT urge drivers to give students a brake as more than 2
million Illinois kids head back to the classroom
Electronic message boards programmed to remind
motorists school is back in session; use extra caution around
school zones and buses
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois
Department of Transportation (IDOT) today reminded drivers
to be extra cautious on the roadways as more than 2 million
students head back to school.
August 23, 2007—Governor
Blagojevich signs laws to expand protections for elementary
and high school students
SB 143, SB 665 and HB 18 will require background checks
on new employees, will help fight bullying
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation aimed
at protecting the safety of all Illinois elementary and high
school students.
August 15, 2007—Number
of Illinois students posting perfect scores on the ACT more
than doubles in 2007
Perfect scores jump to 68; state composite score remains
steady
The Illinois State Board of Education
today announced that the number of Illinois students in the
graduating class of 2007 to achieve a perfect score on the
ACT more than doubled from the previous year. In addition,
despite an increase of more than 6,000 students taking the
test this year compared to 2003, Illinois' composite
score has increased by three-tenths of a point.
July 16, 2007—Gov.
Blagojevich announces funding to improve access to education
for migrant children and students with limited English
ISBE providing nearly $194,000 in federal funds
for Regional Offices of Education to serve rural populations
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that nearly
$194,000 in federal grants will be awarded to 24 Regional
Offices of Education (ROE). The grants will allow local ROE's
to provide professional development to rural and small, local
district staffs on English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction
and also to help local districts identify and serve migrant
children.
July 12, 2007—ISBE announces
Partnerships Grant Awards for Mathematics and Science
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
announced today the choice of fifteen new projects in the
Illinois Mathematics and Science Partnerships (IMSP) program.
The program is designed to increase the classroom achievement
of students in math and science by enhancing content knowledge
and the professional skills of their teachers.
June 28, 2007—ISBE awards
$13 million in 21st Century Community Learning Center grants
for high-poverty and low-performing schools
35 schools and community organizations receive funds for
after school programs to improve student performance
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced
today the awarding of $13 million for after school tutoring
and mentoring programs at 35 Illinois schools and community
organizations.
June
27, 2007—Illinois
State Board of Education sponsors innovative fine arts
Six homeless shelters participating in summer pilot program
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced
today that six family homeless shelters throughout Illinois will
participate in an in-shelter fine arts education pilot program this
summer for elementary and middle-school homeless children.
June
20, 2007—ISBE/Arts Council work together to boost public school
Arts and Foreign Language programs
27 school districts to split implementation grants totaling
more than $2 million
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois
Arts Council (IAC), today announced grants to expand Arts and Foreign
Language programming at public schools worth more than $2 million.
June 15, 2007—School
Purchasing Network marks second anniversary, provides more
than $2 million in savings to local districts
Governor Blagojevich's call for efficiencies means
cost savings for local school districts
The Illinois State Board of Education
(ISBE) announced today that since its inception two years
ago
the Illinois School Purchasing Network (ISPN) has saved
local districts $2.2
million.
June 13, 2007—Summer
food programs filling nutritional gap for thousands of Illinois
students
6 million meals to be served at more than 1,800 locations
statewide
The Illinois State Board of Education
(ISBE) announced today that more than 1,800 agencies have
signed up to participate in this summer's food service
programs for low-income students. ISBE estimates this summer
more than 6 million free nutritious meals and snacks will
be served to thousands of Illinois' children.
June 1, 2007—Illinois State Board
of Education working with shelters to get homeless students
access to education
Distributing question and answer booklets, working with
shelters to educate families and schools on homeless education
rights
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is working
with the state's homeless shelters to eliminate the
barriers homeless students face in getting access to public
education.
May 25, 2007—ISBE, IDNR urge parents,
teachers and students to start out the summer season with
safety in mind
Summer means more free time for students, urges helmets
for bikes and ATV's, adult supervision when swimming
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois
Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today urged school
officials and parents to keep safety first and foremost in
their minds as they plan summer activities for children.
May
16, 2007—State Board of Education
announces Illinois' most
Will serve as states' delegates to National Youth Science
Camp
The Illinois State Board of Education today announced
two Illinois high school seniors have been selected as this year's
most promising young scientific leaders for Illinois.
May
14, 2007—Illinois receives
nearly $500,000 grant for character education
Pilot program at 8 high schools to teach skills for success
in life
The Illinois State Board of Education
(ISBE) announced today the Illinois Positive Behavioral
Interventions and Support (PBIS) Network will be receiving
a $471,038 grant
from the U.S. Department of Education to help implement
programs aimed at teaching character development.
May 2, 2007—ISBE Chairman Ruiz addresses thousands at
Capitol rally for education funding
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
Chairman Jesse H. Ruiz today joined thousands of parents,
students, educators and education advocates at a statehouse
rally in Springfield
to call for increased education funding.
April
30, 2007—Illinois State Board of Education, Feed The
Children, Regional Offices of Education team up to provide school
supplies to rural Illinois homeless students
3,200 backpacks distributed in West Central & Northwestern
Illinois
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced
today it is working with Regional Offices of Education
and Feed The Children, an international non-profit relief
organization, to
provide school supplies and food to homeless children in
two rural areas of Illinois.
April
19, 2007—Gov.
Blagojevich announces Dr. Christopher Koch as new State School
Superintendent
Interim superintendent selected to lead agency after nationwide
search; Governor reappoints five board members
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that the Illinois
State Board of Education (ISBE) named Dr. Christopher Koch
to serve as the State Superintendent of Education.
April 18, 2007—ISBE,
State Police and Terrorism Task Force team up to provide school
safety training
Training ISP Safety Education Officers to assist
schools in planning for emergency planning
The Illinois State Board of Education
(ISBE), Illinois State Police (ISP) and the Illinois Terrorism
Task Force announced today they are teaming up to improve
local school security by training all ISP Safety Education
Officers (SEO) to be multi-hazard instructors for their local
school districts.
April 18, 2007—National
"Standout Pre-K Champion"
Report recognizes Illinois' governor for his "singular
vision" for early childhood education
(Washington, DC) — Governor Rod Blagojevich leads
the nation in pre-k investment, according to Leadership Matters:
Governors' Pre-K Proposals Fiscal Year 2008, a report
released today by Pre-K Now.
April 13, 2007—Governor
Blagojevich announces new partnership with Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation to better prepare students for college and
workplace
Partnership will focus on developing state policies and
programs to better prepare all students for success
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the Illinois
College and Work Readiness Partnership, which will focus on
developing policies and programs to better prepare Illinois
students for success in the workforce and in continuing their
education after high school.
April
11, 2007—ISBE, Arts Council
team up to strengthen arts and foreign language programs
26 school districts to split more than
$625,000 in planning grants
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), in partnership
with the Illinois Arts Council (IAC), announced today more
than $625,000 in planning grants to strengthen local arts
and foreign language programs.
March 29, 2007—Illinois
History Teacher of the Year program accepting nominations
Award recognizes dedication to students and American
history
The Illinois State Board of Education announced today
that nominations are being sought for the annual Illinois
History Teacher of the Year Award.
March
22, 2007—ISBE
financial profiles show more schools in top financial
condition, school districts show continued financial
improvement
Governor's proposed budget will further strengthen local
district finances
The Illinois State Board of Education
released its annual look at the financial status of the
states' school
districts, which shows their financial health continuing
to make improvements.
March
14, 2007—Illinois recognized as national leader for
commitment to early childhood education
National report ranks state second in the nation for
preschool accessibility for 3 year olds; Illinois State
Board of Education accepting applications from preschool providers
for
2007-2008 school year
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced
today that Illinois is being recognized as a national leader for
its commitment to making quality
preschool available to all three- and four-year olds according to a report
published by the National Institute for Early Education Research of Rutgers
University.
March
12, 2007—Illinois is 'Shaping
the Future With the Arts'
ISBE encourages communities to celebrate Illinois Arts
Education Week, March 11-17
The Illinois State Board of Education is recognizing the
importance of arts education in educating our children
by proclaiming March 11-17 as Illinois Arts Education Week. This
25th annual Illinois
Arts Education Week highlights the importance of the fine
arts to our students and culture with the theme, 'Shaping the Future
With the Arts'.
March
8, 2007—Math and Science innovations take center stage at Capitol Showcase
Illinois Mathematics and Science Partnerships Program
brings teachers, scientists and others together to improve teaching
and share research
The Illinois State Boards of Education
(ISBE) and Higher Education (IBHE) are joining with mathematicians,
engineers, teachers and scientists today at the State
Capitol to showcase research partnerships and how they
are improving teaching
in classrooms around the state.
March
2, 2007—School Breakfast Provides a 'World
Illinois observes National School Breakfast week, March
5-9
The Illinois State Board of Education is joining with
schools and nutrition experts throughout Illinois in
celebrating National School Breakfast week, March 5–9. "A
World of Breakfasts!" is this year's theme for the
nationwide celebration of the importance of starting
each day with a nutritious
breakfast.
February
21, 2007—First
Lady Patricia Blagojevich and IDNR introduce new
bilingual education materials
Greater number of students now with access to
Spanish-language books, other materials through IDNR
First Lady Patricia Blagojevich and the Illinois Department
of Natural Resources (IDNR) today introduced a new set of
Spanish-language educational materials for teachers to use
in the classroom.
February
6, 2007—Gov. Blagojevich announces more
high school students succeeding on college-level AP Exams
State sees dramatic increase in participation among at-risk
student population
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that more
Illinois high school students than ever are succeeding on
college-level Advanced Placement Program® (AP) Exams according
to the College Board's third annual Advanced Placement
Report to the Nation.
December
6, 2006—ISBE, educators and communities
share Grow Your
'ideas'
Attendees focus on getting teachers into hard-to-staff
schools thru the Illinois initiative
A statewide group of community organizers, higher education
representatives, school district leaders, and Grow Your Own
teacher candidates will gather Thursday in Chicago, Illinois,
to learn from each other and from experts about successful
strategies for supporting non-traditional candidates to become
teachers for Illinois' low-income schools.
