The Center for the Study of Education Policy (CSEP) is hosting two symposiums during June.

Birth Through Third Grade Continuity Project: Sustained and aligned early childhood programs, birth through third grade (B-3), have the potential to be an educational game-changer. Preschool Expansion grantees are committed to building a birth through third grade pipeline in which the highest need children are identified and enrolled in appropriate services as early as possible, and continue in high quality early education through third grade.  To support this work, the Illinois Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (OECD), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the Center for the Study of Education Policy (CSEP) are pleased to announce an opportunity for community and school leaders to participate in the Illinois Birth Through Third Grade (B-3) Continuity Conference June 13, 14 , 15, 2016 in Bloomington-Normal.

This conference is collaboratively planned by CSEP, ISBE and OECD to build the capacity of early childhood and elementary education staff to provide informed leadership about research-based practices to develop an effective system of supports and services for children birth through third grade. Materials from the conference will be shared on the projects website.

IL-PART Symposium: Advanced Learning in the Support of Illinois School Districts’ Growth of Future and Practicing School LeadersIn 2013 the U.S. Department of Education awarded the Center for the Study of Education Policy (CSEP) a School Leadership Program grant of $4.6 million over five years to support the Illinois Partnerships Advancing Rigorous Training (IL-PART) project. IL-PART represents a collaborative aimed at improving the way principals are prepared and developed according to Illinois’ new principal preparation requirements. IL-PART convenes three qualifying high-need districts, four universities, and one Catholic school network. From June 20–21, the IL-Part Symposium in Bloomington-Normal. This is a professional learning symposium that shares critical learning by IL-PART grantees regarding developing partnerships that support district’s talent management systems and provides preparation and development for aspiring and practicing school leaders. More information about the symposium and project can be found on the IL-Part website.