This study investigated professional development as provided through the Teacher Leadership Academy (TLA) model used in rural Illinois area school districts and district consortia. Surveys were distributed to TLA participants that sought their perceptions of the desirability, involvement, and feasibility of school reform in general and the…

A 1979 study conducted by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to develop a plan for assessing and increasing faculty productivity is described. The central issue was the demand for individual faculty, departmental, and institutional autonomy versus demand by the political system for evidence that the faculty it funds produces adequate…

This committee report represents almost a year of study of the various issues relating to the structure and organization of the constitutionally mandated board of education in Illinois. The committee's 31 recommendations are based on solicited expert testimony and a series of background and position papers. In addition, a highly detailed…

As Illinois higher education looks forward to a stronger state economy and subsequent improved state support, it is time to plan for the next recession. There have been five recessions in the past 35 years, but few higher education systems have been able to develop the processes and resources for weathering the storm. At risk are the quality of…

This report summarizes the results of academic, career and technical, adult education, and developmental education programs that were reviewed during fiscal year 2005. Summaries include both program strengths and the common challenges colleges face in keeping instruction relevant while maintaining cost-efficiency. Specific quality improvements at…

This executive summary describes a study that finds nearly every school in the Great Lakes states is threatened to fail the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements mandated by the federal "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) Act. NCLB holds schools and districts accountable for student achievement on state standardized tests and schools…

The Illinois State Board of Education's Advisory Policy on Evaluation and Assessment encourages districts to develop and implement total student assessment and program evaluation policies. The Board suggests that these policies include provisions for (1) a process for curriculum review; (2) a range of local standards for achievement in…

This report presents results of a policy study which examined and made recommendations concerning professional education certification, program approval, and continuing education for school-based personnel in Illinois, and voluntary professional education accreditation at the national level. The recommendations are the work of three task forces,…

This report represents the efforts of a commission of 20 citizens who were directed by the Illinois General Assembly to identify the principal problems in Illinois' elementary and secondary schools and to recommend specific actions for improving the State's educational program. The commission concluded that student learning should be the foremost…

This paper describes a study that explored superintendent and school-board evaluations. Specifically, it looked at some of the methods and uses of boards' evaluations of superintendents and some of the needs and methods of boards' evaluation of themselves. Data for the study were collected from 188 surveys of selected school superintendents in…

This report analyzes the progress made in implementing the Illinois Board of Higher Education's policies on undergraduate education, focusing particularly on public university and community college efforts to implement the Board's policies on student achievement, scholarship and general education and on faculty effectiveness and excellence in…

On account of concern about declining achievement levels of high school graduates and proposed state legislation increasing graduation requirements to address this concern, this report analyzes current and proposed high school graduation requirements in Illinois, based on data compiled from local school documents, and compares the data to…

The January, 1975 issue of Illinois Libraries is devoted to the theory of administration of children's libraries and its application to library practice. Articles in this issue cover research and experimentation, future trends, fund raising, book selection, and library programing. Suggestions for a basic reference collection for children conclude…

Thirteen brief papers address issues in inclusive education, with special emphasis on concerns and applications in Illinois. The following issues are discussed: (1) the relationship of the inclusive schools concept to that of providing a continuum of alternative placement options; (2) needed changes in current funding of special education to…

This report presents recommendations resulting from a study of current and future workforce preparation needs in Illinois. A special committee held 8 meetings and 10 hearings across the state and examined background reports on national and state labor conditions, existing job training services, and public, private, and proprietary education…