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What we’ve been up to...

With a taste of spring’s warmer weather having hit all parts of Illinois and some partners already wrapping up spring break, the end of this academic year will be here before we know it! In the meantime, the Illinois P-20 Network has remained engaged with partners through important and engaging activities. Some of these included: 

• Over the past two weeks, we have had the privilege of working with the Glenbard High School District 87 leadership team in implementing their Career Exploration Community Forums (see photo above the article). Educators from Glenbard, the elementary school districts, the College of DuPage, and Technology Center of DuPage came together with students, parents, business leaders, and other community members to consider workforce and postsecondary data, learn more about what is taking place already for high school students, and identify additional experiences for students, their families, educators, and business and community partners to further improve their learning and postsecondary planning. 

• Over the last two weeks, we’ve also been deeply engaged with partners from VALEES, East Aurora School District 131, and West Aurora School District 129 with the planning for In the Workplace Aurora, which is being funded with support from the Dunham Foundation. Over the coming months, In the Workplace Aurora will provide workshops for employers about work-based learning, why they want to be involved, and how they will be involved. 

• Over the past two weeks, we have attended two IASBO professional learning conferences – Facilities Professionals Conference and the Bookkeepers Conference. At both, we were able to interact with key operational staff members in school districts from across Illinois, learning about the challenges and brainstorming opportunities. Check out another exciting and important new IASBO professional learning opportunity below! 

• This week, we also attended the ISBE Numeracy Plan Listening Tour stop at Proviso Math and Science Academy. There are more stops across Illinois over the next two weeks, and feedback can also be provided online on the ISBE website linked above. 

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ECN Conference – A Message from Jim Knight

We’re very excited about this year’s ECN Conference, which will be 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 were recently able to connect with Jim at NIU Naperville, and he shared a few words about the Conference in this short video.

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Introducing the P-20 Network Research Webinar Series 

We’re excited to announce the P-20 Network Research Series, which will feature free webinars on topics related to the P-20 Network Areas of Focus and topics of interest to individuals and organizations across the Illinois P-20 Network. While we will be sharing more webinars over the next couple of weeks, the first webinars are on the schedule.  

• Friday, April 17 – 1 PM – Student Motivation and CTE Course Selection – Joe Bruno – Register 

• Friday, April 24 – 9 AM – Career readiness implementation in school districts across Illinois – Amanda Pelsor – Register 

More information about upcoming webinars will be shared on the Illinois P-20 Network website, the Illinois P-20 Network LinkedIn feed, and upcoming Newsletters. 

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IASBO ElevatHER Conference 

IASBO has announced its first ElevatHER Conference, which will be held on June 25 and June 26 in Bloomington-Normal. ElevatHER Conference will bring together our fierce and fearless Illinois ASBO women leaders. This event will open with an evening of music, conversation, and nourishment of the body, mind, and soul, followed by a full day of conversations surrounding issues that are unique to women leaders. If you are a woman who is involved in leadership, consider attending, and regardless of who you are, consider tapping someone on the shoulder and supporting them with their attendance! 

Registration opens on April 1.  

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Dual Credit and Weighted Grades Study version 2 

Earlier this school year, the Illinois P-20 Network conducted a second, more comprehensive study of weighted grades and dual credit coursework across Illinois. This was a follow-up to the original survey in 2022, and this was conducted at the request of educators. 

Last month, we shared the results of the study through a free webinar, which is available to view on our YouTube channel. 

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Illinois Council on Family Relations Annual Conference  

This year, the Illinois Council on Family Relations will be hosting its annual conference on Friday, April 24, 2026, at NIU Naperville. This year’s theme is: Interdisciplinary Inquiry Taking Root: A Focus on Families, Schools, and Communities. While the Illinois Council on Family Relations has important and significant overlap with the work that takes place in school districts and postsecondary institutions across Illinois, this year’s theme makes the importance of such work and the connections between us and our families and community explicit and actionable. 

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NIU STEAM Summer Camps 

This summer, NIU STEAM is, once again, hosting both day and residential camps for students from elementary school through high school. Camps include topics like: Robo Battles, Energy Innovators, Film Production, Health and Medicine Careers, and many, many more! 

Please be sure to share with your students, their families, and your community – This is a great opportunity for students to experience a university environment while having fun, being challenged, and learning! 

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