Below are upcoming opportunities to explore.
Seeking Feedback on School Quality/Student Success Indicators Stakeholder groups shared their recommendations during the State Board meeting in January for how the state should measure school quality and student success in the new balanced accountability system. ISBE is requesting feedback on the recommendations provided for the P-2, Elementary-Middle Grade, and the College and Career Readiness indicators. Please submit feedback to ESSA@ISBE.net no later than February 16.
2018 College Changes Everything Conference® Call for Proposals The Conference Planning Committee is making a call for interest session proposals for the 2018 conference. Help make this conference a valuable professional development experience by sharing with colleagues your best practices, perspectives, and knowledge. Proposals are due by March 9, 2018.
Teach For America Rural seeking non-TFA members for 2018 for their Rural School Leadership Academy (RLSA) In rural regions across the country, there is a strong demand for committed, effective school leaders. To respond to this need, Teach For America created the Rural School Leadership Academy (RSLA) in 2013. After four years of growing and developing RSLA with TFA corps members and alumni, we will be expanding the program to non-TFA members in 2018.
States Leading for Equity event One Year Later: How States are Leading for Equity The Council of Chief State School Officers, the Aspen Institute Education & Society Program and America’s Promise Alliance invite you to attend this event on February 16, 2018. The event will celebrate states’ progress and look forward to the challenging work that remains.
FY 2018 Arts and Foreign Language Planning Assistance Grant Available The Illinois Arts Council Agency has released a Request for Proposals (RFP). The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals from eligible applicants that seek resources to develop district-based plans for initiating, strengthening, or expanding instruction in the arts or foreign languages. Full guidelines and materials can be found on the Illinois Arts Council Agency’s Arts and Foreign Language Education Grant Program. Proposals are due Thursday, March 8.
ISBE to Hire Storytellers The post on the Illinois State Board of Education’s website shows that the agency plans to hire “storytellers” to relay tales of successes in Illinois classrooms. (Associated Press)
Illinois Action for Children’s Annual Public Policy Conference Join Illinois Action for Children’s Public Policy and Advocacy team for the annual Spring Into Action Conference on April 9-10, 2018. This year’s keynote speaker is Julie Vogtman, Director of Job Quality and Senior Counsel with the National Women’s Law Center. Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in timely policy-oriented workshops, networking, and visits to the state capitol.
FY 2018 Healthy Communities Incentive Grant RFP Released The Request for Proposals (RFP) for Fiscal Year 2018 Healthy Communities – Non-school Districts has been released. Proposals are due to ISBE no later than 3 p.m. Feb. 26. For questions, please contact Kristy Jones at kjones@isbe.net
2018 National Forum to Advance Rural Education and 110th NREA Convention and Research Symposium October 11–13, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. In the spirit of collaboration, Battelle for Kids and the National Rural Education Association (NREA) will host the 2018 National Forum to Advance Rural Education and 110th NREA Convention and Research Symposium. This annual event is designed to create an environment for collaboration and innovation with a diverse community—national experts, K–12 and higher education practitioners, leading researchers, policymakers, and philanthropic leaders—to learn and share ideas around the topics at the forefront of rural education and to ensure 21st century learning is a reality for all rural students.
21st Century Community Learning Centers RFP The Illinois State Board of Education has released the RFP for the federal 21stCentury Community Learning Centers funding for FY2019. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding can be used to support community schools programming. The state will distribute approximately $12 million in grant awards ranging from $50,000 to a maximum of $600,000. Individual awards will not exceed $150,000 per site. The grants from this RFP will be offered for a five year period beginning no sooner than July 1, 2018. The RFP is due to ISBE no later than 4 p.m. Central Time, Thursday, February 15, 2018.
Applications Open for Second Cohort of Competency-Based Education Pilot “This competency-based learning pilot might be the most exciting opportunity available to school districts right now,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “This pilot allows districts to redesign the high school experience totally around what students know and where they want to go.”
Prevention Initiative RFP The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Prevention Initiative (PI) program for FY2019. The RFP must be submitted by 4 p.m. February 9. Please note the FY2019 PI RFP is not available for electronic submission in the IWAS system. Eligible applicants must submit an Intent to Apply before submitting an application. Applicants proposing to provide services for children and families within the Chicago city limits must apply for funds through Chicago Public Schools. Please check the ISBE RFP page regularly for resources, including the RFP rubric and updates. A Bidders Webinar is forthcoming. Questions should be directed to the Early Childhood Division of ISBE at (217) 524-4835 or emailed.
National Board Resource Center (NBRC) Professional Development Opportunity The NBRC is seeking administrators interested in a research-based ongoing professional development opportunity. There are currently 40 National Board Professional Development Schools in Illinois led by administrator leaders. The NBRC is expanding this program to include an additional 25 schools/districts to take part in this opportunity during the 2018-19 school year. This program is school based and includes several research-based instructional strategies that focus on implementing effective teaching approaches that nurture critical thinking. Application deadline is March 26, 2018. Call Debra Kasperski at (309) 438-1833 for more information or to set up an appointment.
Call for Evaluators – Early Childhood Request for Proposals: Prevention Initiative (PI) Birth to Age 3, Preschool for All (PFA) Ages 3-5, Preschool for All Expansion Model (PFAE) State To apply, complete this survey. In submitting this application you are volunteering time and expertise to complete the evaluation of approximately 10 to 20 proposals. Questions may be forwarded to the Early Childhood Division at earlychi@isbe.net.
