What we’ve been up to...

As we continue to move through a busy February with planning for next year in full swing, professional conferences of all types, and the busyness of the current school year, over the past two weeks, some of the activities we’ve engaged in have included...

Continued implementation of In the Workplace Aurora, which is supported by the Dunham Foundation, in collaboration with VALEES, East Aurora School District 131, and West Aurora School District 129 – Join us at the ISBE Career Connections Conference to learn more!
Workplace visits with tenth graders and their teachers, including visits to Northwestern Memorial Central DuPage Hospital and the DuPage JATC (Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee).
Collaboration with Round Lake School District 116 on parent education with a novel approach to meet the needs of busy families with upcoming videos on Summer Learning and the Cross-Sector Essential Employability Competencies.

ECN Conference – AI with Jim Knight

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting this year’s ECN Conference with Jim Knight on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The ECN Conference will be held at NIU Naperville, and this year’s topic will be: Using AI: Best Practices and Tools for Instructional Coaches and Leaders. This is an area in which Jim has been doing a significant amount of work, and the ECN Conference will allow participants to discover how artificial intelligence can elevate the practice of instructional and peer coaching – without losing the essential human connection at its core. We’ll explore how AI tools can streamline planning, analyze lessons, and support strategic decision-making while leaving the empathy, intuition, and trust of coaching firmly in human hands.

Learn more and register

Dual Credit Think Tank. Dual Credit & Weighted Grades v3 Updated Study

Dual Credit Weighted GPA Study – v.2

During the latter part of the fall and early this winter, we shared a survey statewide regarding current high school weighted grade practices with regards to dual credit coursework. The survey data has been analyzed, and we are excited to host a webinar in collaboration with ILACEP to share these results. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, February 17, at 1 PM. The webinar is free, and you are encouraged to share with colleagues!

ISBE Numeracy Plan Listening Tour – Round 2

ISBE is preparing to kick off its next listening tour in the development of the ISBE Numeracy Plan. You can register now for the Draft 2 ISBE Listening Tour. It kicks off on February 25 with a virtual session, followed by in-person sessions in Forest Park, Moline, Beardstown, Normal, Marion, and Effingham. All sessions begin at 4 PM, and registration is required. You can also provide feedback via a form on the ISBE Numeracy Plan webpage through March 27, when the public comment period closes. Following the Listening Tour and public comment period, the ISBE team will then revise Draft 2 of the Numeracy Plan and present it to the ISBE board on June 10.

One Click College Admit Month

February Is One Click College Admit Month! Help the Class of 2027 take a simple, no-cost step toward college admission – before the May 22 One Click College Admit opt-in deadline. Students who opt in to One Click College Admit automatically receive an application fee waiver and get college admission information in mid-September of their senior year. A few minutes now can remove barriers later – and help students start their senior year with real college options in hand. ISAC offers free professional development trainings for counselors, school staff, and other stakeholders who would like a walkthrough of One Click College Admit, including key timelines, frequently asked questions, and how to support students as they move through the process. View upcoming sessions and register on the ISAC Professional Development Offerings page.

Here are four easy ways you can plug One Click College Admit into what your school may already be doing this spring:

Receive free One Click College Admit materials from ISAC using the online order form.
Use ready-to-go One Click College Admit resources including brief opt-in walkthrough videos (One Click College Admit: Junior Opt-in Walkthrough; One Click College Admit: Parent Opt-in Walkthrough; One Click College Admit: Community College Opt-in Walkthrough).
Visit the One Click College Admit resource page.
Bring One Click College Admit to your students with help from your local ISACorps member, including free one-on-one virtual meetings with an ISACorps member at: www.isac.org/Booking.

P-20 Network Email Newsletter —
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