Innovation & Improvement
District and School Improvement Plans
Frequently Asked Questions • Submission Dates • Overview of District and School Plans • Resources • Assistance
The Illinois State Board of Education requires all Illinois education districts and schools to organize their educational improvement and technology integration planning through use of electronic Illinois e-Plans.
These planning instruments are accessible via interactive templates on the Interactive Illinois Report Card (IIRC) at http://iirc.niu.edu/.
- Illinois e-Plans include:
Use of specific e-Plans is required for some districts and schools according to state and federal regulations. The templates are also beneficial to all districts and schools as planning tools.
Frequently Asked Questions: Improvement Planning 2009-2010
This document addresses questions that relate to the federal and state improvement plan requirements and provides web links to related resources and technical assistance.
Submission Dates for 2009-2010:
NOTE: The initial date that ISBE releases district and school assessment results via the Illinois Web Application Security (IWAS) serves as the official notification of district and school status related to district, school, and restructuring plans.
Based on the 2009 data, the timeline for the submission of required improvement plans on the Illinois Interactive Report Card (IIRC) site (http://iirc.niu.edu) follows:
Type of Plan |
Explanation |
Time Period |
| District Improvement Plan | A district improvement plan is due if the district report card indicates the district is in academic status and/or the current district improvement plan has expired. | 90 days |
| School Improvement Plan | A school improvement plan is due if the school report card indicates the school is in academic status and/or the current school improvement plan has expired. This deadline also applies for single school districts. | 135 days |
| Restructuring Plan | District must write restructuring plans for any school listed as AW2, AW3, AW4, or AW5 (see Status Chart) that does not have an ISBE reviewed restructuring plan. | 6 months |
| Title I District Plan | All districts requesting Title I federal funding must have an approved Title I District Plan on file at the IIRC. (NCLB Section 1112) | Title I funds may not be released until the plan is submitted and verified by ISBE. |
Overview of Illinois District and School Plans
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District Improvement Plan (DIP)
Submission of this plan is required by state and federal regulations for districts that are in academic status. The plan must cover two fiscal years (e.g. FY 2009 – FY 2011) and must be revised every two years while the district remains in status. The plan requirements also apply to single school districts.
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School Improvement Plan (SIP):
Submission of this plan is required by state and federal regulations for schools that are in academic status. A plan must cover two fiscal years (e.g. FY 2009 – FY 2011) and must be revised every two years while the school remains in status.
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Restructuring Plan:
This plan is required by state and federal regulations for schools that are in level academic status AW3 or beyond. The plan may be a multi-year plan that will be implemented should the school fail to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) again. Districts must develop restructuring plans on behalf of their schools in restructuring planning status.
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Title I District Plan:
All school districts receiving Title I federal funding must have a Title I District Plan (Local Educational Plan) on file prior to receiving Title I funds and the plan must be approved.
Resources:
Regional System of Support Provider (RESPRO)
(Updated 4/09)In 2003, ISBE established a regional system of support to provide technical assistance to districts and schools in academic status. Ten RESPRO regional offices (see map and contact list) provide districts and schools in their regions with programs and processes representing best practices.
Federal Guidance
LEA and School Improvement Non-Regulatory Guidance (Revised) July 21, 2006
Student Achievement and School Accountability Programs, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education.
Resource Manual 2009-2010:
Compiled resources for developing and refining improvement plans and the Title I District plan.
Presentations/Power Points:
- Tips for SIPs and DIPs
- Guidance for Restructuring – Broad Strokes
- School Board Responsibilities
- Illinois Title I District e-Plan
Professional Development Activities – Statewide Listing
Links to professional development offered by the Regional Offices of Education, Intermediate Service Centers, ISBE, IASA, IPA, IASBO, and Illinois ASCD.
School Improvement Grant – Section 1003(g)
This grant is being provided through the Title I, Part A, Section 1003(g) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (NCLB) to schools that have been identified as being in need of improvement, corrective action, or restructuring. A list of Illinois' qualifying schools is available at http://www.isbe.net/sos/pdf/fed_school_status.pdf.
Standards-Aligned Curriculum Development:
Selected samples of resources have been identified to assist districts and schools with the development and implementation of a State standards-aligned curriculum, in addressing instructional practices, and assessing student learning.
Assistance
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Assistance with Developing or implementing a school or district improvement plan or a restructuring plan:
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Assistance with Title I District Plans:






