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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...
Being deeply engaged in supporting new licensure and certificate programming in school districts and other organizations for the coming school year.
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 Understanding Educator Compensation Study for public distribution – Watch this space for communications about an upcoming 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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| Learn more and register for the ECN Conference
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Introducing the P-20 Network Research Webinar Series
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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.
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 as we continue to work to schedule additional webinars.
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| Visit the P-20 Network Research Webinar Series News Article
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ISBE Seeks Feedback on ESSA Ed-Flex Waiver
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ISBE is seeking public comment on its Educational Flexibility (Ed-Flex) program application. The purpose of the Ed-Flex program is to assist school districts in their efforts to improve student outcomes by providing increased flexibility in the implementation of some federal programs in exchange for enhanced accountability for student performance. States with Ed-Flex authority are authorized by the U.S. Department of
Education to waive certain statutory or regulatory requirements for public school districts that apply for such waivers and meet eligibility requirements.
If approved, eligible school districts may apply to ISBE for two waivers:
Waiving the 15% carryover limitation for Title I, Part A under Section 1127 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Currently, districts may only waive this limitation once every three years.
Waiving the content area spending limitations for Title IV, Part A under Section 4106(e)(2)(C-E). These requirements pertain to Local Education Agencies with a Title IV, Part A allocation of $30,000 or more and specify that funds be allocated to support a Well-Rounded Education (at least 20%), Safe and Healthy Students (at least 20%), and Effective Use of Technology (not more than 15%). A waiver will allow districts to spend up to 100% on any of the three content areas.
Comments on the application should be submitted to essa@isbe.net no later than April 23.
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IASBO ElevatHER Conference
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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 this coming week on April 1.
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| Learn more
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Illinois Council on Family Relations Annual Conference
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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.
ISBE Professional Development Hours (PDHs) are available for licensed educators, and Gateways credits are available for Early Childhood Educators.
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| Learn more and register
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NIU STEAM Summer Camps
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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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| Learn more about NIU STEAM Summer Camps
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Share the Teachers’ Lounge Podcast
Share with your students, staff, and community!
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Northern Public Radio’s Teachers’ Lounge podcast is all about telling teachers’ stories from every level. (The most recent episode featured an instructor at Waubonsee Community College.) Every teacher, faculty member, coach, and professor on the show is nominated by our listeners. Tell us about an educator in your life who deserves a spotlight by emailing teacherslounge@niu.edu. Then listen, and you could hear them on the show!
Teachers’ Lounge is a one-stop-shop of education news, feature stories, and conversations with the best educators in Illinois. The Teachers’ Lounge podcast covers it all and brings you in-depth conversations with educators nominated by our audience. Tell us about a teacher you know who deserves a spotlight by emailing teacherslounge@niu.edu. In the meantime, there are countless episodes in the back catalog to begin listening to if you are new to the show.
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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
Lowden Hall
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
United States
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