Please view the following:

1. Information on vaccine phase 1A 
2. Please view the attached document about FY21 proposed adjustments
3. Please feel free to share a scholarship list I created with your students. 
4. I have attached a copy of the COVID Employer Safety Complaint links. 
5. The recent update about FFCRA is that Employers can continue to receive the federal tax credit for allowing employees to take unused FFCRA paid sick and family leave through March 31, 2021. Please take in mind things can still change. Once it’s more official DOL will have it on their website here. 
6. View below the ISBE updates that were given to legislators. 

ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (ISBE)

Approval of ISBE’s Strategic Plan 

The Illinois State Board of Education just approved its strategic plan, which will serve as an equity roadmap for Illinois public schools through school year 2022-23. Illinois has an urgent and collective responsibility to achieve educational equity by ensuring that all policies, programs, and practices affirm the strengths that each and every child brings within their diverse backgrounds and life experiences, as well as by delivering the comprehensive supports, programs, and educational opportunities they need to succeed. This plan reflects both the realities and uncertainties we face today due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected almost every aspect of education in Illinois. ISBE’s strategic plan is built around four goals, which focus on equity, student learning, learning conditions, and elevating educators. The Strategic Plan is available at www.isbe.net/strategicplan.

CTE Education Career Pathway Grant

ISBE is now accepting applications for the CTE Education Career Pathway Request for Proposals (RFP) for FY 2021. The purpose of this program is to recruit and support future educators in high schools and vocational centers across the state, helping create a direct avenue into the field of education, thus addressing the teacher shortage in Illinois. The program will provide funding to eligible applicants to support the development and implementation of CTE Education Career Pathways or Programs of Study in specific partner districts and schools. Grantees will submit an implementation plan describing how they will recruit underrepresented students into education careers. In FY 2020, ISBE released $2 million to 11 regional entities to recruit and support future educators at 62 high schools and vocational centers across the state – roughly 16% and 29% of the students enrolled in grant receiving districts were Black and Latino, respectively. Click here. 

Social Science Standards Review  

A racially diverse group, primarily made of educators with varying grade level experience, has been convened to review and revise the Illinois Social Science Learning standards through a lens of equity and justice. The group presented to the Illinois Board of Education on Nov. 19, recommending 1.) a revision of the standards; 2.) a creation of guidance and professional learning to help locate and utilize resources for non-dominant cultural narratives; and 3.) developing guidance on available resources to meet each standard. The group issued a report, which the agency will now review to determine timeline, and potential opportunities of collaboration with other stakeholders. These efforts are the beginning of a concerted effort by ISBE to support a socially responsible and just learning experience for all Illinois students.

Spanish Language Arts Standards 

ISBE is currently in the process of developing Spanish Language Arts Standards, which a work group began developing in August. These standards are the first step towards a State Spanish Language Arts assessment, which will build on the work to address equity and improve access to language programs. ISBE’s Multilingual Department updated the Board on Nov. 19, informing them that the standards will go through the rule making process, which will be initiated in the coming weeks. This is a critical step in ISBE’s continued work to identify and address equity gaps. Currently, California, Texas, and New Mexico are the states with standards like these in place.

Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards  

In addition to the work around improving the pipeline for diverse educators, ISBE is working to ensure all teachers understand the diversity of our students. In Illinois, school districts make instructional and curricular decisions locally, so culturally responsive teaching and leading is critically important. Culturally Responsive Practice in the classroom refers to both: 1) the use of cultural knowledge to make learning encounters more relevant to and effective for all students; and, 2) empowering students intellectually, socially, emotionally, and politically. The State Board of Education approved new Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading standards that will be incorporated into Illinois teacher preparation programs, ensuring educators are able to successfully reach all children. These standards are currently pending review by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. 

Amendment to Part 226 (Special Education Interpreters)

Public Act 100-0124 requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules to establish criteria, standards, and competencies for bilingual interpreters who attend Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings to assist families who have limited English proficiency. After careful deliberation, ISBE determined that training requirements be limited to 15 hours, which is more than the 12 hours to be registered as an interpreter of the Illinois Supreme Court. ISBE believes 15 training hours is adequate as an increased number of hours would be too burdensome for individuals seeking to become a qualified interpreter, which could discourage some from seeking the qualification. The agency has earmarked a total of $2.5 million in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funds from fiscal years 2020-22 to pay for the development of the “qualified interpreter” certification process. This rule was approved by the Board on Nov. 19 and will now be filed with the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.
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Sincerely,

Barbara Hernandez