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The ISBE Equity Symposium was held on October 4, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event featured a welcome from Dr. Steven Isoye, Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education, and Dr. Tony Sanders, State Superintendent of Education.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, Professor Emerita and former Kellner Family Distinguished Chair of Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Ladson-Billings, author of The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children, shared insights on equity and education.

Concurrent Morning Sessions included:

• EJC Narrative Writing Workshop – Dr. Eilene Edejer (Loyola University) guided participants through creating Equity Journey Continuum narratives.
• Moving from Ideas to Intentions – Illinois MTSS Network presenters discussed leveraging MTSS frameworks for equitable outcomes.
• Amplifying Student Voice – District 33 leaders shared strategies for empowering Black students through advocacy.
• Partnerships for Educator Access – Dr. Joi Patterson (Governors State University) highlighted initiatives to diversify the educator pipeline.
• Introducing and Supporting AP African American Studies – New Trier High School presenters explained the process of implementing the pilot course.

Concurrent Afternoon Sessions featured topics such as:

• Equity Equals Access – Strategies for supporting students at risk of suspension or expulsion.
• Supporting Equitable Access for Kindergarten Readiness – Using KIDS assessment data to strengthen early learning systems.
• Walking in Change – Creating classroom communities that ensure success for all learners.
• The TEAACH Act – Teaching Asian American history and culture in Illinois schools.
• Virtual Tutoring for EL and Spanish Learners – Collaborative approaches to support multilingual students.

The day concluded with a Thought Exchange Session led by educational leaders, including Dr. Teresa Lance, Dr. Lisa Jackson, Silvia Rogel, Dr. Jacqueline E. Johnson, and Sergio Hernandez, followed by closing remarks from Dr. Sanders.​

ISBE Equity Symposium Agenda

​​Keynote Speaker

Gloria Ladson-Billings is Professor Emerita and former Kellner Family Distinguished Chair of Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is author of the critically acclaimed book, “The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children,” now in its third edition along with more than 100 articles and book chapters. She is the Immediate Past-President of the National Academy of Education.​​​​