April 29, 2008 -- Science and Math teachers take center stage at annual Capitol Showcase
Professional development opportunities with Illinois Mathematics and Science Partnerships (IMSP) help teachers grow and improves student achievement
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) joined dozens of classroom teachers, scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and experts from higher education from throughout Illinois at today’s Capitol Showcase for the Illinois Mathematics and Science Partnerships (IMSP) program.

April 17, 2008 -- State Board of Education honors graduates of bilingual teaching program committed to teaching high need schools
Graduates earning master’s degree; Majority switching careers—former photographer, options trader and social worker now training to be teachers
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today honored another 12 graduates of the federally-funded Bilingual Transition to Teaching Project (BTTT) with a board resolution.

April 12, 2008 -- ISBE & IDOT honor Work Zone Safety contest winners
12 students’ work to be shown in 10,000 Work Zone Safety Calendars across Illinois; caps off National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 7-11
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) are highlighting the importance of safety in road construction work zones across the state by honoring 12 student winners in the 2008 Illinois Work Zone Safety Calendar Contest. The awards luncheon today in Springfield capped off a national weeklong campaign to raise awareness about the importance of safety in work zones during National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 7 – 11.

April 4, 2008 -- Gov. Blagojevich announces bipartisan Illinois team selected to participate in national early childhood discussion
Illinois is one of 14 states to be represented at two-day symposium at Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that a bipartisan team of Illinois educators, legislators, and foundation leaders has been selected to participate in the National Symposium on Early Childhood Science and Policy, to be held at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., on Thursday, June 26 and Friday, June 27.

March 20, 2008 – Illinois school districts showing improved financial health; Nearly 70% receive top financial recognition
Governor Blagojevich and State Board’s commitment to improved funding for schools paying off; $5.9 billion increase in school funding 
The Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) annual financial profile of the state’s public schools shows a growing number of schools making financial improvements. Through Governor Blagojevich’s commitment to increased education funding ISBE’s advocacy on the behalf of schools, nearly 70 percent of the states’ districts are in the highest category, receiving financial recognition, while only 3 percent are on the financial watch list.

March 19, 2008 -- Gov. Blagojevich announces Illinois leads nation in providing early childhood education through Preschool for All
National report applauds Illinois effort to provide 3-and 4-year-olds with access to high quality education
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that Illinois is being recognized as a national leader for being the first state committed to serving all three-year olds with quality preschool, according to a report published by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) of Rutgers University.

March 17, 2008 -- ISBE and Department of Agriculture team up to celebrate state’s largest employer – agriculture
National Agriculture Week – March 16 – 22
Highlights importance of agriculture and agriculture education
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Agriculture are joining students, farmers, producers and agricultural associations from across the state in celebrating the importance of agriculture and agriculture education in Illinois during National Agriculture Week, March 16 – 22.

March 11, 2008 -- Art students take center stage at State Capitol Arts Education Week ceremony
Event recognizes 2008 arts education poster contest winners; encourages communities to celebrate Illinois Arts Education Week, March 10-16
Dozens of students from throughout Illinois showcased their talents in the Rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol as part of the 26th annual Illinois Arts Education Week.

March 3, 2008 - 360,000 online sample tests taken as nearly 1 million students prepare for annual ISAT testing
Nearly 3,000 tests per hour being accessed during the school day
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced today that more than 360,000 interactive Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) practice tests have been accessed online as students get ready for statewide testing.

February 19, 2007 - ISBE & DHS team up on new statewide program to promote healthy lifestyle for schools, students and communities
Move & Crunch Challenge for Principals stresses educating the entire student, mind and body; Elementary schools can still participate in program 
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Human Services are teaming up to challenge Illinois principals and school communities statewide to ‘Move’ and ‘Crunch’ towards a healthier lifestyle.

February 11, 2008 -- Vice Chair of ISBE appointed to serve on national education board
Lockport resident will serve two-year term on the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Boards of Education
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced that State Board Vice Chair Dr. Christopher J. Ward has been appointed to a two-year term on the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE).

February 6, 2008 -- ISBE brings national figure in to call attention to education of homeless teens
Carissa Phelps shares her struggles from homeless teen to UCLA Law and MBA graduate
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is highlighted the issue of homeless youth today during the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Annual Statewide Conference in Chicago.

January 31, 2008 -- ISBE and NIU announce 2007 Illinois Honor Roll; Nearly 1,200 schools singled out for academic excellence
Annual list recognizes continued academic achievement; 97 schools on the list fourth & fifth consecutive year
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Northern Illinois University (NIU) announced today that 1,177 schools made the Illinois Honor Roll and are being recognized for their continued academic progress.

January 25, 2008 -- ISBE announces $7.5 million to assist fast-growing districts
43 districts receiving additional funds to cover
needs of growing student populations
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced $7.5 million in fast growth grants that will be distributed to 43 districts around the state for the 2007-2008 school year.

January 15, 2008 -- Gov. Blagojevich announces free college prep testing program for high school freshmen and sophomores
New tools to help school districts improve academic performance and help students prepare for college
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the launch of a new voluntary testing program aimed at improving student achievement at the high school level.

January 4, 2008 -- Gov. Blagojevich takes action to give schools a $560 million state funding increase
Governor uses amendatory veto to correct problem in BIMP bill and give school districts immediate reimbursement for special education staff
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today took action on a Budget Implementation Bill (BIMP) that will give Illinois schools a $560 million increase in state funding.

December 28, 2007 -- State Board of Education working with local districts to improve technology training through online courses
More than 340 teachers learning how to better bring technology into the classroom 
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced today that more than 340 teachers in 26 districts statewide will be participating in a series of in-depth, online courses focused on bringing technology into the classroom.

December 4, 2007 -- Illinois recognized as a leader for National Board Certified Teachers
Illinois 4th in the nation with more than 500 achieving highest teaching credential in 2007; 2nd year Illinois attains national ranking
The Illinois State Board of Education announced today that Illinois ranks fourth in the nation for having the highest number of teachers achieving National Board Certification in 2007.

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