Galesburg Reporter

Illinois State Board of Education Education Policy Planning Committee met Oct. 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Roll Call/Pledge of Allegiance

Board member Susie Morrison brought the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present.

Members Present

Susie Morrison, Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee (via phone) Cynthia Latimer (via phone) Jacqueline Robbins (via phone)

Staff

Dr. Carmen I. Ayala, State Superintendent

Dr. Ernesto Matias, Education Officer

Dr. Brenda Dixon, Research and Evaluation Officer

Irma Snopek, Policy and Communications Officer

John Shake, Director of Information Systems

Rae Clementz, Acting Director of Assessment and Director of Accountability Emily Fox, Director of Educator Effectiveness

II. Public Participation

No public participation at this time.

III. Approval of October 1, 2019, Meeting Minutes

Ms. Latimer made the motion for the Education Policy Planning Committee to approve the Oct. 1 committee meeting minutes.

Ms. Robbins seconded the motion, and it passed by unanimous voice vote.

IV. Discussion Items

A. Review of November Board Agenda Items.

1. Report Card 101

Dr. Dixon spoke briefly about the improvements East St. Louis District 189 and Queen Bee School District 16 have made. Evidence-Based Funding has helped students in those districts. The Perkins V plan will be discussed at the December Board meeting. Dr. Dixon gave a brief overview of the 2019 Report Card, but no detailed information was provided due to the embargo. The Report Card, which provides academic and fiscal information, has new additional data categories, -- including students with disabilities who have 504 Plans or Individual Education Programs, migratory children, military- connected students, and youth in care. There is also information on dropout rates and site-based per pupil expenditure reporting. This will better show how monies are allocated from school to school. Accountability will highlight the schools that need most assistance.

2. ESSA

Ms. Clementz, director of Accountability, told the committee about engagement with several stakeholder groups. The conversations have been very fruitful. Seven groups supported keeping the system at 75/25. Their rationale is that the system was too new to make changes. Seven organizations supported adding high school growth and four didn’t. Those that didn’t prefer that the system remain as is for a few more years. The groups also commented on chronic absenteeism.

Name and number of designations had several reactions. Twelve groups supported the change of the bottom two designation names. The groups were more focused on what changes can be made now. Chairperson Morrison would like to see parents, PTAs, and community involvement in these conversations.

The groups did not agree with the two options that are permissible in the law for testing newly arrived English Learner children. Positive conversation is being had and more efforts are being taken to clarify and look for ways to exempt newly arrived students. They will keep having conversations with the Department of Education concerning this policy and reiterate that a change needs to be made.

The next steps would be for the executive staff to keep meeting and studying the proposals. The only change that may come forward would be the lower designation name changes.

3. Perkins V

Dr. Jason Helfer reported that work is being done on a second draft of information provided by student groups, postsecondary schools, and employers. A second panel will include teachers, directors, and employers. We are wanting to hear what the employers see regarding opportunity and necessity. The December draft plan will be released for public comment once the Board has approved. Ms. Morrison suggested an at-a-glance summary of elements so the committee can see its progression.

4. After-School Programs

The committee was informed that the After-School Program monies (previously known as the Healthy Communities Investment grant) will be distributed on a case-by-case basis and that it wouldn’t include parochial schools. It will be recommended to go with a school-based allocation formula. We will look at Free and Reduced-Priced lunch numbers instead of a district-level percentage. Eighty-five percent of the $20 million will be allocated to public schools and there will be a competitive grant for nonpublic schools. The administrative costs will be monitored on a case-by-case basis using information provided on the applications.

5. Part 235 – Early Childhood Block Grant

The Part 235 – Early Childhood Block Grant will be an agenda item for discussion at the November Board meeting and for approval at the December Board meeting. Aligning the current rules with the law is the goal.

6. Part 425 – Voluntary Registration and Recognition of Nonpublic Schools

It was discussed that the rules need to align with the law and cleanup of language. The loan program hasn’t been funded since 2009, and we want to make sure that the rule complies with it. There will be reorganization and clarification of who does what.

7. Part 1 – Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision and Part 680 – State Seal of Biliteracy

This is coming up for approval in November to be released for public comment. Students of nonpublic schools will now be able to access the Seal of Biliteracy through this rule change.

The committee also discussed Rule 650. Rules regarding charter schools need to be aligned and more information will be forthcoming at the November Board meeting.

B. Review of December Board Agenda Items 1. IL-EMPOWER – School data

There will be a presentation about IL-EMPOWER, the statewide system of support, in December. Different staff members will present information to the Board.

2. Request for Sealed Proposals (RFSP) for the Illinois Longitudinal Data System/Ed360 There is an RFSP for December.

3. Perkins Update

There is an RFSP for December.

V. PostsecondaryEmployees(Boardupdate) VI. New Business: Items for Next Agenda

A. Assessment Audit Update

B. Virtual Schools

There will be more information forthcoming. There are meetings in place and Dr. Matias will keep the committee informed.

C. Driver Education Teachers

Dr. Ayala presented a chart listing how many driver’s education teachers are in Illinois schools. Ms. Robbins would like to know how much the driver’s ed costs are impacting families who are taking the course outside of the schools.

VII. Next Meeting: Nov. 26, 2019 VIII. Adjournment

Ms. Latimer made a motion to adjourn.

Ms. Robbins seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote. Chairperson Morrison adjourned the committee meeting at 11:33 p.m.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/Education-Policy-Planning-Committee-Minutes-10-25-19.pdf