Grants & Programs

RESTRUCTURING PLAN and RESOURCES
2009-2010

Submission of a Restructuring Plan is required by federal and state regulations for schools that are in level academic status AW2 or beyond. The plan may be a multi-year plan that will be implemented should the school fail to make AYP again.

Illinois districts and schools in status must submit an improvement plan as required by Public Law 107-110, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, section 1101 et seq., and Section 2-3.25d of the School Code, 105 ILCS 5/2-3.25d. Revisions are then required at the expiration of the two-year plan while the district or school remains in academic status. Districts are required to develop restructuring plans on behalf of their schools in restructuring planning status after the fifth calculation of not making Adequate Yearly Progress. This is true for schools in status under federal or state requirements.

Under NCLB (USDE, LEA and School Improvement: Non-Regulatory Guidance, rev. July 21, 2006), when a school is in restructuring status, the district must take intensive and far-reaching interventions to revamp completely the operation and governance of that school. Restructuring means a major reorganization of a school's governance structure arrangement by a district that:

Makes fundamental reforms, such as significant changes in the school's staffing and governance, to make student academic achievement in the school;
Has substantial promise to improve student achievement and enable the school to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) as defined by the State's accountability system; and
Is consistent with State law.

Restructuring is an option a district may choose prior to these regulations above per the district's discretion.

Resource Manual 2009-2010

(updated 6/09)

Compiled resources for developing and refining improvement plans and the Title I District plan.

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.

Restructuring Plan Guide

The Restructuring Plan Guide includes instructions for completing the Restructuring Plan template at the Illinois Interactive Report Card site (http://iirc.niu.edu), provides guidance for plan developers, and includes monitoring prompts that ISBE will use in reviewing the plan. The template and this accompanying guide are to be used together to ensure that users include all requirements of federal and state law for revised plans. "Monitoring Prompts" appear in italics in this guide. Plan developers will find these questions and the Restructuring Plan Monitoring Prompt useful in plan development and revision.

Restructuring Monitoring Prompt

This checklist is used by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for monitoring in compliance with NCLB, Section 1116 and state law. It addresses the requirements for restructuring in Illinois e-Plans as described in the Restructuring Plan Guide. ISBE staff comments are intended to provide feedback on the plan to ensure that all groups will make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

2009-2010: Federal and State Status for Districts and Schools

These Excel files list those districts and schools determined to be in "Academic Status" for 2008-2009. The files only include selected data to assist district and school personnel in determining whether a plan is needed based on the 2009 Report Card data. (Note: This site will be updated once the 2009 Report Card data are posted on the ISBE website.)

Illinois Interactive Report Card

ISBE requires that all plans be submitted via "e-Plans" on the Illinois Interactive Report Card site. This process streamlines and provides an interactive site where teams can work on plans at any time and store them on a secure server. The templates are loaded with the applicable school's Report Card data. 2009 data will be posted following release of the 2009 Report Card.

On the District Profile page, click on the link titled "Access the District Improvement e-Plan" located on the information banner across the top. Restructuring templates are at the district's main menu. The passwords are protected and are available to authorized personnel by contacting Gail Buoy, Grants and Programs, by email at gbuoy@isbe.net or sending an email to eplans@niu.edu. Note: E-Plan passwords are not the same as the passwords for IIRC Student Data Services.

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.

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.

Guidance for Restructuring – Broad Strokes
This presentation provides details regarding the district's responsibilities in relation to restructuring, the options that are to be considered, and plan preparation. This PowerPoint presentation was prepared to assist district-level personnel develop and refine the restructuring plans.

Standards-Aligned Curriculum Development
Selected samples of resources are identified to assist districts and schools with the development and implementation of an Illinois state standards-aligned curriculum, in addressing instructional practices, and assessing student learning. These resources include suggestions for ensuring access to the general curriculum and equity for all students (e.g., at-risk students, students with disabilities, and English Language Learners).