The Performance Report is an accountability initiative addressing important indicators and outcome measures that are built around the Policy Areas from the Illinois Board of Higher Educations' Illinois Commitment. The Illinois Commitment was developed based on the premise that higher education must be part of the process of providing a foundation…

Evolution of "quality" in higher education as an institutional concept is traced, and differences between approaches at the institutional and state levels are explored. Contrasting approaches in Florida and Illinois are examined, particularly in the case of Miami-Dade Community College (Florida). Contribution of the different approaches…

Upcoming federal and state changes in welfare and social services will have a profound effect on the delivery of early childhood care and education in Illinois. In October, 1995, the Day Care Action Council of Illinois convened a meeting of early childhood experts and advocates. From this retreat, a vision for a new system of the delivery of child…

This practical reference guide to selected resources may assist local school districts in learning about and applying effective schooling practices; the guide has special usefulness to Illinois readers. With an emphasis on finding characteristics of effective schools, the booklet has sections devoted to the following: (1) computer search printouts…

The Illinois Quality School Index (IQSI) is a school survey designed to assist local school personnel in planning for more effective schools. The IQSI provides a structure to determine the existing quality and the expected quality of the school as viewed by administration, staff, parents, and community. This manual is a detailed guide for using…

Minimal competency testing of students can be an effective tool for improving educational quality if applied appropriately with adequate safeguards. The failure of academic standards through grade inflation, a policy of social promotion rather than academic promotion, and weak curricula has reduced public confidence in education and encouraged…

This is the report of a commission of 20 Illinois citizens charged with identifying the principal problems in the State's elementary and secondary schools and recommending actions for improving the State's educational program. Three principal areas are addressed: (1) instructional standards and pupil performance; (2) personnel (especially teachers…

This paper examines the perceptions of practicing school superintendents, principals, and teachers as to the degree to which the Edmonds Correlates and other indicators of school effectiveness were present in Illinois public elementary and high schools. Two companion studies examined the perceptions of Illinois public elementary and high school…

This brief paper reports on recent workshops and conferences on faculty roles and responsibilities held as part of continuing efforts in the Illinois Board of Higher Education's Priorities, Quality, and Productivity initiative. Introductory paragraphs recall the establishment of the initiative and earlier events and efforts. A report on two…

Noting that there is a lack of consistent and accurate information about the teachers, administrators, and support staff who work in early childhood settings in Illinois, this study documented the early childhood workforce serving in infant/toddler, preschool, and school-age programs in the state. The study also determined the impact of the…

This report was written to stimulate discussion about the potential and need for expanding access to voluntary, high-quality early childhood care and education programs in Illinois. The report compiles 13 short articles pertaining to early learning as follows: (1) "Ready to Succeed: Preparing Children for School, and for Life"; (2)…

The Illinois General Assembly adopted a bill designed to increase school district autonomy. Provides an overview of the waiver act and its regulations. Analyzes the school districts' waiver requests, specifically addressing physical education, corporal punishment, and the five-clock-hour school day. Discusses the act's implications for educational…

Reports results of a parent survey in a rural K-12 district and an urban K-12 district regarding 2 school choice plans. Data analysis indicated that school choice, whether in-district or in-region, was not perceived as beneficial to local districts' educational systems. Most parents preferred children to attend local schools. (SM)

The Illinois Workforce Preparation Action Plan was developed to set workforce preparation policy directions and improve coordination of programs and services in the state. This report provides information on the goals, objectives, activities, and implementation of the Plan. Following a preamble and list of the Action Plan Task Force membership,…

To assess the effectiveness of the child care delivery system in Evanston, Illinois, a study was conducted of parent and caregiver perceptions of the affordability, availability, accessibility, and quality of local child care services. Questionnaires were distributed to the directors of 14 local child care centers and to 832 parents currently…