Illinois State Board of Education Education Policy Planning Committee met Sept. 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. Roll Call
Chairperson Susie Morrison brought the meeting to order at 12:34 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 (in person)
Dr. Donna Leak (virtual, joined at 12:50 p.m.)
Jaime Guzman (virtual)
Committee Members Absent
None
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. Melissa DiGangi, Director of Research
Joana Clyde, Director of Multilingual
Kelsey Bakken, Learning Renewal Research Lead
Annie Rojas, Principal Consultant in Research
Dr. Erica Thieman, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Ernesto Matias, Education Officer
Jason Helfer, Ph.D, Deputy Instructional Education Officer
Dr. Jennifer Kirmes, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
Krish Mohip, Deputy Operational Education Officer
Emily Fox, Director of Educator Effectiveness
Martin McGreal, Director of District/School Leadership
Oriana Wilson, Executive Director of Programs
Robert Wolfe, Financial Officer
Dr. Sean Clayton, Director of Assessment
Irma Snopek, Policy and Communications Officer
Cara Wiley, Director of Wellness
Jeremy Duffy, Legal Officer
II. Public Participation
Kaitlynn Niemeyer, a high school student, spoke on the topic of unstructured play. She shared findings that suggest potential improvements in social-emotional development when students have the opportunity for free play. She believes the assessment-focused approach has led to a structured curriculum that has subverted the creative potential and emotional development of students, particularly young children. She advocated for the Board to consider promoting this form of learning.
Chair Morrison thanked her for her comments.
III. Approval of the August 9, 2022, Meeting Minutes
Mr. Guzman made the motion for the Education Policy Planning Committee to approve the August 9, 2022, meeting minutes. Chair Morrison seconded the motion. Dr. Leak was absent. It passed by a majority roll call vote.
IV. Discussion Items
A. Elevating Educators
Dr. Ayala shared that this was an outline of a presentation that would occur at the September Board retreat, and this was an opportunity for committee members to provide feedback and make suggestions about items to include for that meeting. Dr. Matias introduced the team members who will be presenting. i. Leadership
Mr. McGreal shared his anticipated topics, which focus on assessing leadership training and recruitment programs.
Chair Morrison asked about the status of the principal preparation program. Mr. McGreal shared that programs are underway; some started as early as spring 2022.
Mr. Guzman asked if all program participants were from Illinois. Mr. McGreal confirmed they were. ii. Recruitment
Dr. Kirmes shared her topics for the retreat, which focus on analyzing various efforts and programs for educator recruitment.
Mr. Guzman expressed an interested in hearing more about the ways in which these have addressed the teacher shortage, and where more work seems to be needed.
Chair Morrison emphasized an interest in the factors present where shortages are being resolved, as well as how trends compared between different regions and contexts. She said potential recommendations for remaining gaps would be useful for discussion.
iii. Hiring
Ms. Fox shared her topics for the retreat, which focus on assessing the impact of policy changes aimed at making the filling of positions easier for schools in the face of shortages.
Dr. Leak emphasized the importance of support for paraprofessional hirings in particular and expressed the Board’s interest in tackling this issue head on.
Mr. Guzman again expressed his interest in seeing data presented to highlight where gaps have been addressed, and what remains to be addressed.
iv. Retention
Dr. Kirmes and Ms. Fox shared their topics on this item for the retreat, which focus on partnerships meant to facilitate teacher retention.
Dr. Leak asked about the vetting process for resources that are promoted to teachers. Ms. Fox noted that resources were not vetted, but the providers themselves were in accordance with state regulations. She said that incorporating feedback on individual resources could be considered in the future.
Mr. Guzman asked to confirm that the platform provider for that resource was not providing content. Ms. Fox confirmed it was not.
Dr. Leak asked if feedback on resources was accessible to ISBE or the provider. Ms. Fox noted that the provider currently receives that feedback, but that once the system is fully implemented, ISBE will have access for evaluation. Dr. Kirmes emphasized this, and Ms. Fox noted the ease of access in the future compared to previous programs. Dr. Leak expressed an interest in ensuring that ISBE is alerted to concerns pertaining to any resources.
Chair Morrison expressed an interest in hearing from program participants across all of the Elevating Educator topics at the retreat, if possible.
B. Transición: Early High School Spanish Language Arts Assessment: Illinois State Board of Education’s Grants for State Assessment Program
Dr. Dixon introduced this item and noted that ISBE had recently received this grant opportunity in line with Strategic Goals focused on Spanish language education.
Dr. DiGangi discussed ISBE’s application process for the grant opportunity.
Ms. Clyde discussed the positive prospective learning and outcome implications for Spanish-speaking students, particularly English learners.
Dr. DiGangi shared that the $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education would support assessment and learning in Spanish language arts, noting professional development possibilities. She shared that the grant was recently awarded, and that next steps involve further research on how the program would be implemented statewide and working with stakeholders.
Chair Morrison asked about the implementation timeline for this grant. Dr. DiGangi said the project would take place over four years.
Mr. Guzman asked about what level programming would take place. Dr. DiGangi noted that a potential assessment would be tested on an individual district or school level. Mr. Guzman asked about what capacity requirements a district might need to fulfill to implement these assessments. Dr. DiGangi noted that ongoing professional learning opportunities would be an important aspect of ensuring that educators are properly prepared to implement the program and utilize assessment data.
Dr. Leak emphasized an interest in ensuring that data from the assessment is timely and useful for districts and educators to ensure that instruction can be properly corrected to suit students’ needs. Dr. DiGangi agreed and noted that assessments are meant to be interim and inform instruction throughout a course.
Dr. Leak discussed the proposal’s connection to Grades 9 and 10 coursework, and noted the importance of ensuring that the assessment aligns with the standards for that material.
C. Whole Child Task Force Update
Mr. Mohip and Ms. Wiley presented on this item.
Mr. Mohip discussed the task force and its goal to fully address student trauma. He discussed the development process for standards outlining a trauma-responsive approach.
Ms. Wiley discussed the efforts currently in place to implement the recommendations from the task force, including a common site for various resources promoting trauma-responsive practices.
Mr. Mohip concluded, expressing his appreciation for the work on the project. Mr. Guzman echoed this and discussed the importance of tracking progress on various recommendations.
Chair Morrison asked about what items might be most actionable. Mr. Mohip said that efforts are underway on these goals, but that some of the recommendations pertain to organizations outside of ISBE.
Chair Morrison expressed an interest in a visual.
Dr. Leak asked about connections for these resources with ISBE’s professional development resource site. Chair Morrison said that she made inquiries into possibilities with the agency.
V. Review of September Board Action Items
A. Approval for Adoption - Part 1 (Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision) Public Acts 101-643; 102-411; 102-584
There were no questions on this item.
B. Approval for Adoption – Part 24 (Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards for All Illinois Educators)
There were no questions on this item.
C. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval to Award a Sole Source Grant to the Simon Wiesenthal Center for Operation of the Mobile Museum of Tolerance
There were no questions on this item.
D. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval to Award a Sole Source Grant to the Peoria Public School District 150 for Fine Arts and Other Programs
There were no questions on this item.
E. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval to Release and Award an Invitation for Bid for ISBE to Enter into a Competitive Bid for Illinois Standards-aligned Assessment Content to Administer the Illinois Assessment of Readiness in Grades 3 through 8
There were no questions on this item.
F. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval of Sole Source Grant to After School Matters
There were no questions on this item.
G. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval of Intergovernmental Agreement with Eastern Illinois Area Special Education to Execute the Specific Learning Disability Support Project
There were no questions on this item.
H. Approval of the Fall 2022 Waiver Report
There were no questions on this item.
VI. Review of October Board Action Items
A. Approval for Publication – Part 25 (Educator Licensure) Public Acts 102-702, 102-710, 102-713, 102-717, 102- 852
Ms. Fox discussed this item. She noted that changes largely pertained to recent legislative changes and updates to resources and recommendations.
Chair Morrison expressed an interest in more information about certifications. Ms. Fox said that it clarified some elements where experience was a part of certification, and where education applied as experience.
B. Approval for Publication - Part 670 (Tutoring Services) New Part
Dr. Thieman discussed this item.
There were no questions.
C. Contracts & Grants over $1 Million - Approval of the Release and Award of the FY 2023 Elementary and Secondary Relief Digital Equity Formula Grant
Dr. Thieman discussed this item. She noted that it was meant to address gaps in technology for districts where devices were outdated or insufficient.
Dr. Leak asked about how the expenditure deadline might conflict with limited supply, and how educators can be prepared to utilize these devices to properly promote learning. Dr. Thieman noted that the timeline for spending was extensive, and Mr. Wolfe noted that districts would have time to utilize the funds. Dr. Thieman noted that funding on previous professional development on technology had been underutilized, and that ISBE is looking into ways to promote training resources in the future.
VII. New Business: Items for the Next Agenda
Ms. Parr noted that the Education Center would be sharing information on Amendment 3 to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Plan.
Chair Morrison asked about an update on IL-EMPOWER and how districts have utilized Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. Mr. Mohip noted that ISBE was reaching out to districts about intent to not utilize funding. Chair Morrison asked about potential reasoning from districts, and Mr. Mohip mentioned that in some cases it may have been the limited size of the grant. Dr. Ayala shared that the ESSER website has information about the utilization of funds by districts.
Chair Morrison asked that a general update on pandemic recovery and student learning statewide be included.
Dr. Leak asked about when a finalized list of partners for IL-EMPOWER might be released. Dr. Helfer updated that they were waiting on one appeal from a provider, and that a list would be released when this is finalized. Dr. Leak noted that districts are currently planning partnerships and is concerned that districts might have to suddenly adjust if a provider is no longer available. Dr. Ayala noted that notifications will be available as soon as the process is complete, as mandated.
Chair Morrison asked if providers had been notified. Dr. Helfer said that notifications will not be released until procurement is complete. Mr. Wolfe noted that delays have come from protests to procurement rules from disqualified vendors. Chair Morrison asked how many cases were being handled, and Mr. Wolfe said there were three or four protests.
Dr. Leak noted that accounting for protests in the scheduled timeline for future years would provide districts with better information for planning. Mr. Wolfe said he still expects resolution to come before the end of September.
Mr. Guzman asked that updates from the State Assessment Review Committee be included. VIII. Next Meeting: October 6, 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 committee at 1:49 p.m.
https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/090822-EPP-Minutes.pdf
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