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What we’ve been up to...

In this issue, we are keeping this article brief 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 seeks to gather more information directly from educators of all types, including both 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. Register for the webinar. 

Here’s what we’ve been up to: 

• Collaborating with individual school districts on topics ranging from dual credit to career readiness to strategic planning. 

• Planning for upcoming regional dual credit work with school district and postsecondary administrators. 

• Preparing the KEEP Illinois Defining Educator Compensation Study for public distribution – Join us on May 5, 2026, at noon for the KEEP Illinois Defining Educator Compensation Study webinar! 

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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.

Spaces are filling quickly with educators from across Illinois – Register your team soon! 

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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. 

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

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

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ISBE Career Connections Conference — Registration Open 

Find fresh ideas, real conversations, and practical takeaways at the 2026 ISBE Career Connections Conference on May 6, 2026, from 9 AM until 3.30 PM. There are a wide variety of sessions from educators across Illinois and from the ISBE CTE Team. Among the many presentations, the Illinois P-20 Network’s In the Workplace Aurora project, funded by the Dunham Foundation, will be presented along with colleagues from VALEES, East Aurora School District 131, and West Aurora School District 129. 

Check out the ISBE Career Connections Conference webpage for more information and register by April 29, 2026. 

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ISAC News 

We are pleased to provide a number of really important updates from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). There are additional items that can be found on the ISAC website. 

• First Generation Scholars Network (FGSN) – Please encourage your students who aspire to be the first in their family to finish college to join the ISAC First Generation Scholars Network. FGSN students support one another and receive additional year-round support from ISACorps near-peer mentors. 

• Free ISAC YouTube Live Events for Parents in English and Spanish – Please share with your families! The next event is this coming Thursday, April 16, 2026, and the topic is Preparing for College During High School Years. Details are available on the ISAC YouTube Channel! 

• One Click College Admit Virtual Workshops – The May 22, 2026, One Click College Admit opt-in deadline for the Class of 2027 is rapidly approaching. During these virtual workshops, ISACorps members will walk participants through the opt-in process. Please share with school counselors and with families directly! Participants can register on the One Click College Admit webinar registration page. 
  

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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 communities explicit and actionable. 

ISBE Professional Development Hours (PDHs) are available for licensed educators, and Gateways credits are available for Early Childhood Educators. 

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