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What we’ve been up to...

With many districts on spring break this week and others on spring break next week, in-the-field engagement slows down at this time of year. Nevertheless, we’ve kept busy... 

• Last week, we wrapped up this year’s Educational Coaching Network Student-Centered Coaching series with Diane Sweeney with Level 3 workshops with both coaches and administrators at NIU Naperville. 

• Last week, we also hosted a free webinar in our Research Webinar Series. Joe Bruno from Glenbrook Township High School District 225 presented his research on Student Motivation and CTE Course Selection. The webinar can be found online on our YouTube Channel. Right now, as you receive this, another webinar is taking place online. 

• This week, we kicked off our employer sessions for In the Workplace Aurora at the Aurora Economic Alliance Office in Downtown Aurora. Next week, we continue with these sessions at East Aurora School District 131. You are encouraged to share these sessions with Aurora-area employers, and we thank the Dunham Foundation for their support for this project. 

• This week, we also attended the VALEES Apprenticeship Expo at the Painters District Council Number 30 in Aurora and had great conversations with unions and partners, teachers, and students.  

• This week, we have also done planning for local regional dual credit workshops and career readiness workshops, and today, we are pleased to be helping to support the Illinois Council of Family Relations Annual Conference at NIU Naperville. 

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ECN Conference – Final Call 

We’re very excited about this year’s ECN Conference, which will be this coming week on April 30, 2026, at NIU Naperville. The title of this year’s conference is: Using AI: Best Practices and Tools for Instructional Coaches. 

We are looking forward to welcoming a large group from a wide range of school districts. 

Registrations can still take place today, over the weekend, and through Monday! 

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Free Webinar – KEEP Illinois Defining Educator Compensation Study 

On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at noon, the Illinois P-20 Network will host a free webinar to highlight the forthcoming release of the KEEP Illinois report, Defining Educator Compensation. This study was based on statewide survey data, and it sought to build upon the previously released report, The Road to Retention: Understanding the educator shortage and ways to engage and keep educators.  

This study gathered information directly from educators of all types, including licensed teachers, clinicians, and administrators, as well as paraprofessionals, across all levels (early childhood through high school) from throughout Illinois to both identify high-quality practices that are working in school districts and to seek the creation of additional novel solutions to current challenges.

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Public Comment Open on Dual Credit Quality Act Rules

The Illinois Community College Board is seeking public comment on proposed rules for the Dual Credit Quality Act (110 ILCS 27), as outlined in Public Act 104-0012. Proposed rules were published in the Illinois Register. Send comments to matt.berry@illinois.gov by May 11, 2026. 

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ISBE Call for Participants: ELA Standards Review

ISBE is seeking educators and stakeholders to participate in a one-day English Language Arts (ELA) Standards Review session on June 25, 2026, from 8.30 AM to 4 PM at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

Selected participants will be assigned to grade-band and strand-specific teams to review the current Illinois Learning Standards for ELA and identify areas for clarification, refinement, and improved coherence. This effort is focused on targeted updates and is not a full rewrite of the standards.

ISBE is seeking a range of perspectives, including classroom teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, and higher education partners. District and school teams are encouraged to apply. 

Space is limited. Please indicate interest by completing the ISBE ELA Standards Review Interest Form by May 6, 2026.

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