News Center
June 15, 2009 -- ISBE Promotes Literacy for Young Children and Families
More than $2.5 million in federal grants awarded to 17 educational partnerships; Money helps high-risk, low-income families
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced more than $2.5 million in family literacy grants are being awarded to 17 educational partnerships involving school districts, regional offices of education, higher education institutions and community organizations around the state.
June 12, 2009 -- Illinois Receives Determination Letter on Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
State meets many benchmarks
The Illinois State Board of Education received its determination letter on the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) from the U.S. Department of Education.
June 9, 2009 -- Illinois Joins 12 States to develop Career-Ready Courses
Courses and Assessment will be updated to better prepare students to succeed in the workplace
The Illinois State Board of Education announced today that Illinois is joining 12 other states to develop rigorous career-ready standards. Illinois, Louisiana and Nevada are the latest to join “The State Leadership Initiative.”
June 8, 2009 -- Schools Promote Healthy Eating Habits Through Federal Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program
Schools statewide receive a total of $2.2 million to increase fruit & vegetable offerings; More students have access to healthy eating choices
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced today that 141 schools will participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during the 2009-10 school year.
June 1, 2009 -- Illinois Joins 48 States and Territories to Develop Common Learning Standards in Math and English
Standards will be internationally benchmarked to better prepare students for college and careers
The Illinois State Board of Education announced today that Illinois is joining 48 other states and U.S. territories to develop common learning standards in English and math for elementary and secondary students.
May 22, 2009 --Illinois State Board of Education Urges Families to Read During Summer Vacation
Studies show summer reading maintains student improvement
The Illinois State Board of Education is encouraging families to read together during the summer months in order to maintain their children’s reading gains.
May 6, 2009 -- State Superintendent celebrates success of 19 Illinois Honor Roll Schools in Boone and Winnebago Counties
Annual list recognizes improving and high-performing schools across the state
Illinois State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch recognized 19 Rockford-area schools today for being named to the 2008 Illinois Honor Roll.
May 5, 2009 -- State Superintendent to Recognize Rockford-area Schools on Illinois Honor Roll
Annual list recognizes improving and high-performing schools across the state
Illinois State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch will recognize 19 Rockford area schools Wednesday, May 6 for being named to the Illinois Honor Roll in 2008.
May 4, 2009 -- State Superintendent celebrates success of 7 Illinois Honor Roll Schools in Pike and Adams Counties
Annual list recognizes improving and high-performing schools across the state
Illinois State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch recognized 7 Quincy area schools today for being named to the 2008 Illinois Honor Roll.
April 30 2009 -- State Superintendent celebrates success of 19 Illinois Honor Roll Schools in Barrington and Elgin
Annual list recognizes improving and high-performing schools across the state
Illinois State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch recognized 19 Barrington and Elgin Schools today for being named to the 2008 Illinois Honor Roll.
April 28, 2009 -- ISBE Invites High School Students to join Advisory Council
Students get up-front view of state education policies and programs
The Illinois State Board of Education is accepting applications for the Student Advisory Council for the 2009-10 school year. There are currently 10 openings for sophomores, juniors and seniors on the 15-member council.
April 27, 2009 -- Today’s’ Students Showcase Yesterday’s Heroes
High School Students Use Technology to make Documentaries about Our Nation’s 'Greatest Generation'
High school students from throughout Illinois have interviewed World War II Veterans and produced digital documentaries that will be showcased April 30th at the Illinois State Library in Springfield. The project has been funded by the World War II Illinois Veterans Memorial Board and administrated by the Illinois Learning Technology Centers which receives funding from the Illinois State Board of Education.
April 21, 2009 -- ISBE working to grow future agriculture teachers
Partnering with university and community colleges to recruit and support future teachers
The Illinois State Board of Education announced today nearly $350,000 in grant money has been awarded to several universities and community colleges to help recruit and retain future high school agriculture teachers.
April 20, 2009 -- U.S. Department of Education Approves $1.4 Billion in Recovery Funding for Illinois
Governor Pat Quinn announced today that Illinois’ application for the first $1.4 billion in State Fiscal Stabilization Funding (SFSF) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Some of those dollars will begin flowing to schools within days.
April 17, 2009 -- Recovery Funds Available to Improve School Cafeterias
$3.6 million to be distributed among schools that serve low-income students
The Illinois State Board of Education today announced that nearly $4 million in federal stimulus funding is available to improve school cafeterias throughout the state. ISBE will award $3.6 million via a competitive grant process to entities, both public and non-public, participating in the National School Lunch program.
April 6, 2009 -- Illinois selected to receive $ 9 million grant to improve education data infrastructure
The Illinois State Board of Education has been selected by the U.S. Department of Education to receive a nearly $9 million Statewide Longitudinal Data System grant. Illinois has proposed developing a Longitudinal Data System that will collect and maintain high quality individual staff and student data from pre-school through college and careers that is linked with districts across the state.
April 2, 2009 -- April 3rd Legislative Breakfast
The Illinois State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities (ISAC), a group funded by the Illinois State Board of Education, will sponsor the 4th annual legislative breakfast to raise awareness about special education.
March 30, 2009 -- State Superintendent celebrates success of 34 Illinois Honor Roll Schools in Southern Illinois
Annual list recognizes improving and high-performing schools across the state
Illinois State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch recognized 34 Southern Illinois Schools today for being named to the 2008 Illinois Honor Roll. The 34 schools honored for their achievement are from nine counties and 20 districts.
March 19, 2009 -- Illinois school districts show improvement on financial profiles during tough fiscal times
ISBE using revised data to avoid penalizing districts for late payments from the state
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released its annual financial profile of the state’s public schools using revised data that takes into account that the state is behind in payments to school districts. The financial profile shows that districts across the state are doing a sound job managing their finances even during this current fiscal crisis.
March 18, 2009 -- Students envision future through the Arts during 27th Annual Arts Education Week
Poster contest winners honored at ceremony in Quad Cities
Students from throughout Illinois are “Envisioning Our Future through the Arts,” during the 27th annual Illinois Arts Education Week. Student winners of the statewide arts education poster contest will be recognized at the Quad City Arts Center in Rock Island by the Illinois State Board of Education on Thursday, March 19.
February 26, 2009 -- Nearly 1,000 schools recognized for academic excellence on 2008 Illinois Honor Roll
Annual list shows continued academic achievement; Number of consistently high-performing schools doubled to 388 in past year
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Northern Illinois University (NIU) announced today that 989 schools made the Illinois Honor Roll for their continued academic progress.
February 18, 2009 -- Nearly $2 million in low-interest loans awarded to schools for technology upgrades
17 Districts serving more than 11,000 students utilize 2% loans to improve student access to technology
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced today more than $1.8 million in technology loans are being awarded to help districts integrate technology into their curriculums. Seventeen school districts across Illinois will receive a loan through the School Technology Revolving Loan Program (STRLP) with awards ranging from $25,000 to $412,000.
February 6, 2009 -- Illinois gears up for simultaneous reading of Gettysburg Address; Aiming for new Guinness World Record
Simultaneous reading at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 12 part of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th Birthday celebration with Abe fans across the nation
The Illinois State Board of Education is joining with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to encourage students across the state to participate in a nation-wide simultaneous reading of the Gettysburg Address at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 12 and help set a new Guinness World Record.
February 4, 2009 -- Number of students taking AP exams in Illinois going up; Increasing number of minority students meeting benchmark for college success
Chicago’s Whitney Young High School top in nation for African American students scoring 3 or higher on the AP English Language Exam
The Illinois State Board of Education today announced the number of Illinois students taking and passing AP exams increased in 2008. Illinois also ranked in the upper half of the nation for number of high school seniors – 15.2 percent – who scored 3 or higher on an AP exam in 2008 according to the 5th Annual AP Report to the Nation.
February 3, 2009 - State School Board Member to Serve on National Dropout Task Force
Dr. Vinni Hall to Help Identify Innovative Policies and Solutions to Dropout Crisis
Illinois State Board of Education Member Dr. Vinni M. Hall will serve on a national task force to address the devastating dropout rates facing many communities in the country. Dr. Hall was selected to serve on the National Association of State Boards of Education study group and will serve alongside 16 other state board members in the year-long study group to identify unique policy and community-state partnership solutions.
February 2, 2009 - ISBE doubles online capacity for interactive ISAT sample tests to meet demand
Nearly one million online sample tests taken in past year as students prepare for annual exam
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced it has doubled online capacity in 2009 to meet the demand of up to 6,000 people taking practice tests simultaneously for the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT).
January 27, 2009 -- State Board recommends streamlined budget for FY 2010; Focus on core agency mission
Board recommends 2% increase to fund General State Aid and Mandates
The Illinois State Board of Education today recommended a Fiscal Year 2010 budget to the Governor and General Assembly that includes an increase of approximately $173 million. The budget recommended by the Board would increase state funding to education by about 2%, with the increase going primarily to General State Aid (GSA) and fully funding Mandated Categoricals, such as special education and transportation costs.
