When the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were adopted in many states, it was only one piece of the pie called Race to the Top (RttT). As states competed and clamored to win the Race to the Top dollars, they knew it came with strings attached. The biggest piece of string is called APPR, or Annual Professional Performance Review--and it is more…

As states are working to align their education systems with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in support of the goal of graduating all students ready for college, careers and life, academic and career and technical education (CTE) leaders at the state and local levels can and should maximize this opportunity to finally break down the silos…

This report outlines several recommendations for new or substantially revised budget development procedures set out by the Illinois State Board of Higher Education. They include: (1) a statewide budget context report prepared early in the budget process that will provide colleges and universities with information they can use in their own budget…

The Partnerships Project involves a university, a state department of education, and a university-affiliated program in Illinois working together to implement new personnel standards for early intervention with young children having special needs. Emphasis is on technical assistance functions utilizing extensive peer review. (Author/DB)

Information on identifying handicapped children was collected and analyzed, in order to evaluate Illinois-required case study components and assessment procedures. A literature review chapter discusses assessment of health, academic status, and individual strengths/weaknesses, and provides summaries of best practices. In regard to method, a survey…

This manual sets forth the standards, criteria, and procedures used in the process of recognizing teacher education institutions and approving teacher education programs in Illinois. Section one provides a description of the recognition and approval process, while section two presents the standards for institutional recognition and the criteria…

This booklet provides a framework for meeting the Illinois constitutional requirement that the schools of the state provide an efficient system of high quality education. Recognition is the process by which the state superintendent of education certifies that a local school district has met efficient and adequate basic standards for the quality of…

This report spells out goals formulated through surveys and focus groups with Illinois citizens for higher education in the state of Illinois for the first decade of the 21st century. Six goals are set out: (1) higher education will help Illinois business and industry sustain strong economic growth; (2) higher education will join elementary and…

Reviews precedents, at the state level, to the movement for education reform. Reports, by year and state, on first reactions to reform. Outlines topics touched by state reform efforts, summarizes unifying themes, and predicts the future of reform. Includes a table of states requiring testing for initial certification of teachers. (IW)