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What we’ve been up to...

Annually, the last week of February is one of the busiest of the year, and this year was no exception! 

• Diane Sweeney returned to NIU Naperville for the ECN Student-Centered Coaching Level II workshops. Level III is in April – sign-up and join us! 

• We joined colleagues from NIU as well as school districts and postsecondary institutions and other organizations from across Illinois at the annual Advance Illinois Legislative Dinner, during which experts and practitioners came together to discuss and consider federal changes in legislation, policy, and practice impacting education at all levels. 

• Along with colleagues from other research, policy, and practice organizations in NIU’s Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development, we met with legislators about areas of research and study that can inform legislative efforts. 

• Yesterday, we hosted over 225 high school students for the first-ever NIU – IEA Educators Rising Experience. Students considering education as a potential career path worked with NIU faculty, state teachers of the year, and NIU preservice educators in a wide range of on-campus activities. 

• Today, we’re excited to be joining VALEES at their annual conference at Waubonsee Community College. We are working with educators on implementing both the Essential Skills and authentic learning in the service of high-level literacy and numeracy, mastery of content standards and skills, career exploration and career skill development, and providing a rich, relevant learning environment for students in our classrooms right now. 

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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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Inaugural Illinois Rural Education Conference: Exploring Student Career Success

The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools will host the first education conference in the state catered to the rural and small school perspective on April 17 in Decatur. Join in person to network with and learn from other rural Career and Technical Education directors and educators, meet exhibitors and partners, and participate in a collaborative workshop with keynote presenter Christian Jackson. 

A virtual live stream is available for those who cannot attend in person. Attendees may earn professional development hours.  

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Please share with staff – Illinois School Phone Policies Survey 

ISBE is seeking to collect five or more responses in at least 70% of public and charter schools across Illinois on their Illinois School Phone Policies Survey. The survey will close on July 1, 2026. 

ISBE invites teachers, principals, counselors, social workers, and all certified school staff from Illinois public and charter schools to participate in a national survey examining school cellphone policies and their impact on student learning and well-being in Illinois. This optional survey takes approximately five minutes to complete and is completely confidential.  

ISBE is collaborating with the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University as part of the States Leading States Initiative to evaluate the impact of school cellphone policies on student achievement and student engagement. The Center is partnering with Dr. Angela Duckworth of the University of Pennsylvania on this work. 

Thank you for supporting the students of Illinois and for contributing to this important national project.  

If you have questions about the survey, please contact Interim Director for Proving Ground at the Center for Education Policy Research Amber Humm Patnode or ISBE Director of Wellness and Student Care Jeffrey Judge. 

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Share with Students – Upcoming Scholarship Deadlines 

High schools and postsecondary institutions are encouraged to keep an eye on scholarship opportunities shared from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. These scholarship opportunities are for high-demand roles in education and health care. With upcoming deadlines (including at the start of the week!), we wanted to share these here with you to pass along to students! 

March 1: Illinois SETTW Priority Application Consideration Date 
Remind your students who plan to pursue a career in teaching that March 1, 2026, is the priority application consideration date for the 2026-27 Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program . In order to complete the SETTW application , the student must log in to the ISAC Student Portal (if they have not already done so, they may create a profile here). 
Complete applications received after March 1 will be considered only if available tuition waivers remain after all timely complete applicants have been awarded. 

April 30: NES Applications Due 
The Nursing Education Scholarship (NES) application period each year starts on March 1 and continues through April 30. NES applications for the 2026-27 academic year must be submitted no later than Thursday, April 30, 2026. In order for the application to be considered complete, the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) must also be submitted. 

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Free Online ACRES Teacher Workshop 

Please share with students, teachers, and faculty! 

The American Council on Rural Special Education is holding a free online workshop via Zoom on Wednesday, March 25, from 5 to 7 PM Central. This event is designed for teachers, pre-service teachers, administrators, and other educators who work, or want to work, in rural settings. There will be opportunities to learn from leading researchers in rural special education, and there are sessions on a variety of topics. 

This event takes place as part of this year’s annual conference for the American Council on Rural Special Education. 

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