January 2006

• January 30, 2006--Superintendent Dunn calls for funding for Joliet school construction projects
• January 6, 2006--Grants available to Illinois schools serving children displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

• February 28, 2006--Gov. Blagojevich’s school district reorganization legislation wins senate committee approval
• February 27, 2006--Illinois State Board of Education member Andrea Brown, advocacy groups call for Preschool for All approval
• February 23, 2006--Gov. Blagojevich’s “Less Red Tape” legislation to ease burden on local schools and teachers wins Senate committee approval
• February 9, 2006--Gov. Blagojevich to propose plan to reduce early grade class sizes in Fiscal Year 2007 budget presentation
• February 9, 2006--Advanced Placement Classes - College and Career Success for All Students
• February 8, 2006--New members of the Advisory Council for the Education of Gifted and Talented Children Appointed by State School Superintendent
• February 2, 2006--State School Superintendent Randy Dunn, Stewardson-Strasburg officials call for state commitment to local school construction
• February 1, 2006--Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Announces Spring Teacher Workshop Series
  

• March 30, 2006 -- Illinois chosen to receive National Governors Association Grant for Early Childhood Summit
• March 30, 2006 -- Gov. Blagojevich’s “Less Red Tape” bill wins House approval, heads to Governor’s desk for his signature
• March 30, 2006 -- Illinois Academic Awards Schools named
  Federal grants awarded to nine Illinois schools
• March 29, 2006 -- Illinois Mathematics and Science Partnerships spotlighted in Capitol Showcase
• March 23, 2006 -- Nominations encouraged for the 2006 American Stars of Teaching program
  Nominations will be accepted through April 15
• March 16, 2006 -- ISBE adopts Gov. Blagojevich’s proposal to ban junk food in Illinois elementary and middle schools
  State Board of Education approves rules that will allow children to have a healthier diet in school
• March 16, 2006 -- Illinois schools continue to show financial improvement
  Number of school districts in deficit spending declines for second straight year
• March 15, 2006 -- Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support Honored
  Wins 2006 “Programs That Work: Preparing Students for Nontraditional Careers” Award
• March 14, 2006 -- Grant Names SIUE, SIUC To Facilitate Training In Southern Counties
• March 10, 2006 -- IAAE Awards Ceremony held at State Capitol
• March 9, 2006 -- State School Superintendent says vendor performance on ISAT ‘not acceptable’
  Test remains valid, but delivery of materials fails to make grade
• March 3, 2006 -- Gov. Blagojevich’s school district reorganization legislation wins Senate approval
  Governor’s “Less Red Tape” bill also passes
• March 1, 2006 -- Twenty School Districts to Receive Reading Grant Funds
  

• April 28, 2006 -- Nominations sought for Illinois History Teacher of the Year
  Deadline for nominations set for May 15
• April 26, 2006 -- First Statewide Summit for Bilingual Parents Announced
• April 24, 2006 -- Illinois State Board of Education announces Illinois ASPIRE
  Four regional centers to carry work forward
• April 10, 2006 -- Illinois State Board of Education announces new funding for arts education and foreign language programs
• April 7, 2006 -- Illinois Teachers Taking Part in Leadership Program at BIO2006
• April 5, 2006 -- Survey finds need to identify ‘new basics’ in Illinois math, science education
  

• May 31, 2006 -- EARLY LEARNING COUNCIL RELEASES PRESCHOOL FOR ALL REPORT
  Report is the Blueprint for Governor’s Initiative
• May 30, 2006 -- Website offers career path information for teachers
  Prospective teachers, current teachers can benefit from information on www.TeachIllinois.org
• May 22, 2006 -- Illinois State Board of Education announces recipients of $1.5 million in Advanced Placement grants
• May 18, 2006 -- First Summit for Bilingual Parents to be held Saturday, May 20
• May 10, 2006 -- Governor Blagojevich honors dedicated high school educator with PATH Award
  Judy Weber-Jones’ recognized for commitment to teaching high school students how to be safe drivers
• May 3, 2006 -- Public hearings to be held on Illinois’ proposed special education rules
• May 3, 2006 -- Gov. Blagojevich’s school district reorganization bill wins final legislative approval
• May 3, 2006 -- State Student Advisory Council seeks members
  

• June 29, 2006 -- More than $2 million in grants available through Grow Your Own Teacher program
• June 16, 2006 -- Gov. Blagojevich signs new law to eliminate bureaucratic “red tape” for schools
  New law will help schools function more efficiently by reducing unnecessary burdens placed on teachers
• June 14, 2006 -- ISBE Board Chairman Jesse Ruiz joins Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan, parents and educators to highlight advantages of Small Schools concept
  Panel discussion will allow parents and educators to discuss benefits of Small Schools to students
• June 5, 2006 -- ISBE Announces Recipients of 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program Grants

• July 27, 2006 -- 38 School Districts in Illinois to Receive State Funding to Strengthen Their Arts Education and Foreign Language Programs
• July 24, 2006 -- Illinois State Board of Education and Northern Illinois University announce Illinois Honor Roll
• July 17, 2006 -- Technology Immersion Pilot Project announced
• July 13, 2006--Illinois State Board of Education, Rep. Hannig tout Litchfield After-School Program
  “May All Kids Excel Into Tomorrow” program proves to be successful
• July 7, 2006 -- Grants will help small, rural school districts foster English Language Learning programs
  $115,000 in grants will further aid bilingual programs

• August 29, 2006 -- Gov. Blagojevich declares August 29 Katrina Day of Remembrance in Illinois
  State continues providing services and assistance to thousands of Katrina evacuees still living in Illinois
• August 29, 2006 -- Illinois students continue to outperform counterparts across nation
• August 24, 2006 -- Finalists for State Teacher of Year Announced
• August 23, 2006 -- Christopher Koch named interim superintendent of Illinois State Board of Education
  Koch will begin serving in December
  The State Board of Education has named Christopher Koch (pronounced “Cook”), interim state superintendent beginning in December 2006 and until the board names the next state school superintendent.
• August 16, 2006 -- Illinois students’ ACT test scores continue upward trend Illinois’ ACT Scores Support College-Prep Background

• September 27, 2006 -- State Board of Education and Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn award Learn and Serve America grants
• September 27, 2006 -- Illinois State Board of Education, Nutrition Programs Division announces availability of the Child and Adult Care Food Program
• September 26, 2006 -- Urbana teacher named Illinois History Teacher of the Year
• September 20, 2006 -- Gov. Blagojevich, Lt. Gov Quinn, State Board of Education announce Technology Immersion pilot project schools
• September 15, 2006 -- Nearly 200 school staffers are recognized as part of the 32nd annual. Those Who Excel Program
• September 13, 2006 -- School safety initiative launched to prepare public and private schools for emergencies
• September 11, 2006 -- New Early Learning Standards for Kindergarten unveiled
• September 8, 2006 -- Gov. Blagojevich urges changes to No Child Left Behind after Pres. Bush’s Education Secretary declares law nearly perfect
• September 7, 2006 -- New ‘Educator Certification System’ up and running

• October 31, 2006 -- John Herner named Interim Director of Special Education for ISBE
• October 24, 2006 -- Governor’s Drop Out Task Force sponsors statewide summit focused on efforts to keep kids in school, continue reducing drop-out rate
• October 16, 2006 -- Illinois observes National Bus Safety Week, Oct. 15-21
• October 10, 2006 -- Glen Ellyn fifth grade teacher receives national recognition
• October 10, 2006 -- Chicago teacher named Milken National Educator
• October 8, 2006 -- Effingham Instructor of Technology honored as 2006-07 Illinois Teacher of the Year
• October 4, 2006 -- ISBE Awards contract to Pearson Educational Measurement for ISAT administrative services
• October 2, 2006 -- Governor Blagojevich launches task force to focus on re-enrolling high school dropouts

• November 27, 2006 -- Statewide Task Force on Re-Enrolling Students Who Dropped Out of School to meet Nov. 29
• November 19, 2006 -- Brian Waitkus named 2006 Thomas Lay Burroughs Award winner by Illinois State Board of Education
• November 16, 2006 -- Students from Winnetka and Lemont will co-chair State Board’s Student Advisory Council

• December 6, 2006 -- ISBE, educators and communities share ‘Grow Your Own’ ideas