School reopening tracker: Chicago, Rockford and larger districts release fall plans
Chicago announced on Friday that pre-kindergarten and special education students will attend school full time. High school juniors and seniors will have an all-remote learning plan, while younger students will spend two days a week in school buildings. Rockford said on Thursday that pre-kindergarten students will attend in-person class full time, except those with medical exemptions. Elementary school students can attend in-person classes five days a week or all-virtual classes. Middle and high school students can choose blended learning or remote learning. After the state Board of Education gave the green light to school districts to reopen their buildings in mid-June, districts have been rushing to put together plans before schools start in August. School leaders have the challenge of balancing the educational needs of students and limiting the spread of the coronavirus, all on tight budgets.
Joint Stimulus Request for Education Funding
A wide-ranging group of the country’s leading education and civil rights organizations from a bipartisan coalition of states sent a letter to Congressional leaders asking for federal support for schools as they navigate school re-opening and learning recovery under complex and challenging circumstances. Without additional funding, some states may be forced to cut education programming during a public health crisis when inequities are more apparent than ever.
Illinois 60 by 25 Network
The Illinois 60 by 25 Network Organizers are pleased to present this Impact Report. The preliminary findings in the report were presented at the annual Illinois 60 by 25 Conference in February 2020. Since then, the world has changed significantly. This final report, capturing the impact the Network has made these past seven years, will help guide communities as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 crisis while striving to create equitable opportunities for students.
