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What we’ve been up to... |
While we know that everyone across Illinois has been digging out from snow and addressing student, staff, and facilities needs related to the cold weather, we hope that you are doing well. We’re only three weeks away from the Cubs and Sox opening Cactus League play, so spring is coming!
Since our last Newsletter, we've been excited to..
Wrap-up the dual credit grade point average research study – Check out the article below for more information!
Implement 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.
Collaborate with Round Lake School District 116 on parent education with a novel approach to meet the needs of busy families.
Develop community engagement plans to support Glenbard High School District 87 and its community and business partners in developing career and postsecondary planning and learning opportunities for current students.
Work with multiple regions to support dual credit planning in their school districts and in collaboration with their community colleges.
Attend the Dual Credit Quality Act Committee meeting – For more information, visit the ICCB Academic Affairs page and scroll down to the “Dual Credit” section.
Engage with the Golden Apple Foundation around educator pipeline topics, and specifically in support of the development of Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers.
Conduct internal planning at Northern Illinois University to support professional development around Adventure-Based Learning, supporting students’ development with social and emotional skills, including the development of the Cross-Sector Essential Employability Competencies.
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ECN Conference – AI with Jim Knight
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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.
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| Learn more and register
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Dual Credit Weighted GPA Study – v.2
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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!
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| Register for the webinar
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Illinois Council on Family Relations 2026 Annual Conference
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Call for proposals and registration both open now!
The Illinois Council on Family Relations (ILCFR) is holding its 2026 annual conference on Friday, April 24, at Northern Illinois University Naperville. Nationally recognized expert on early childhood education Dr. Dan Wuori will be serving as the keynote speaker. Please share with your colleagues, students, and all who may be interested in submitting proposals and joining us!
Proposals can be submitted until Friday, February 27, and presenters will be notified on Friday, March 13.
You can register for the 2026 ILCFR Conference now. Discounted registration is available for students, and postsecondary faculty are encouraged to bring students.
The Illinois Council on Family Relations will also be having a pre-conference dinner on Thursday, April 23, from 6 to 8 PM in the Atrium at NIU Naperville. The ILCFR invites you to attend for food, drinks, and networking!
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ISBE Launches School Wellness Conference
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This new conference is a great opportunity for both school district staff members and postsecondary faculty members and leaders to present about wellness-related topics that can improve schools, the learning experiences of students, and the well-being and effectiveness of staff!
The 2026 ISBE School Wellness Conference is scheduled for May 4-6 in Normal, and it will feature keynote speakers, pre-conference workshops, evening entertainment, and more.
ISBE has put out the call for engaging speakers with proposals due February 1. Learn more and apply to present!
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2026 WELL Summit
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Registration is now open for the 2026 Women in Education Leading and Learning (WELL) Summit on March 19 and 20 in East Peoria. In addition to the WELL Summit being a great opportunity for educational leaders to connect and grow, there are 20 student VIP WELL Summit passes available for high school juniors and seniors to attend the second day of this event. If you know a student who would benefit from
this experience, encourage her to apply today!
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| Learn more and register
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Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver
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While the landscape related to the teacher shortage grows more complex due to a wide variety of factors, one thing that remains unchanged is the high demand for high-quality new special education teachers to enter the profession. School districts and postsecondary institutions are already helping to address this need in a variety of ways, and another way that you can help is by ensuring that our high school and college students are aware of the 2026-2027 Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver. Learn more and pass this information along to your students!
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P-20 Network Email Newsletter —
Pass it along today! |
P-20 Network Newsletters will typically come out every two weeks on Friday. The newsletters include updates on critical policy developments, professional development opportunities, success stories from the Network and much more.
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You are receiving this message because you have previously attended a P-20 Network Meeting and/or have been on previous P-20 Network emails. We encourage
you to forward this email to others in your organization, such as principals, assistant principals, and department chairs by using the Forward to a Friend link below. Others can subscribe by simply completing this very short form.
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Forward this message by using the “Forward to a Friend” button below.
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Copyright © 2026 Illinois P-20 Network, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Illinois P-20 Network
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