The 2024-2027 Illinois Strategic Plan built upon the agency’s commitment to continuous improvement and responsiveness to the evolving needs of the nearly 2 million school-aged children in Illinois that ISBE serves. Literacy instruction for schools and higher education in Illinois is addressed in the Strategic Plan. Goal 3.1 of the Strategic Plan calls for the following regarding institutions of higher education (IHEs): “ISBE will work with institutions of higher education to develop professional learning communities of practice to promote the use of resources for literacy instruction.”

Two external objectives were identified:

Goal 3.1.1: “By the end of FY 2025, in collaboration with institutions of higher education, ISBE will develop Communities of Practice promoting effective literacy instruction in educator preparation programs.”
Goal 3.1.2: “By the end of FY 2027, ISBE will conduct a program evaluation to determine the extent to which instruction in educator preparation programs aligns to literacy preparation standards and the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan.”

Additional resources have been created as part of the ISBE’s efforts to make the plan easily accessible. They are available on the ISBE Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan webpage. The Educator Preparation Reader’s Guide was instrumental in identifying key areas of the plan and informed the creation of this Self-Assessment Tool for Aligning Illinois Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) to the literacy plan.

Timeline:

Sept. 1, 2025 The self-assessment tool is available to all EPPs.
Sept. 2025 - Aug. 2026 EPPs complete self-assessment and prepare for upcoming evaluation.
Sept. 1, 2026 ISBE releases information on the upcoming evaluation.
Mar. 30, 2027 Tentative due date for EPPs to submit evaluation materials.

Sept. 1, 2025: The self-assessment tool is available to all EPPs.
Sept. 2025 - Aug. 2026: EPPs complete self-assessment and prepare for upcoming evaluation.
Sept. 1, 2026: ISBE releases information on the upcoming evaluation.
Mar. 30, 2027: Tentative due date for EPPs to submit evaluation materials.

Self-Assessment Tool for EPPs

ISBE decided to assist IHEs in preparing for the evaluation called for in the Strategic Plan by creating a self-assessment tool. The tool identifies the key content of the literacy plan that EPPs should provide teacher candidates during their enrollment in the program as part of coursework and field practicum. This tool aids in identifying areas of alignment and areas needing improvement to ensure that teacher candidates are well-prepared to deliver evidence-based literacy instruction.

Background & General Information- Self-Assessment Tool for the Aligning EPPs to the literacy plan
Self-Assessment Tool for the Aligning EPPs to the literacy plan

Webinars and other Resources

Guidance and Resources for Alignment

Included below is a sampling of free resources provided by the Literacy in Educator Preparation Steering Team. EPPs may use the guide when working towards alignment and overall improved instruction for teacher candidates in evidence-based literacy. ISBE encourages the use of the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan as a resource in the development and continuous improvement of literacy instruction. Each section includes end notes with a comprehensive list of resources used in the development of that section of the plan. Not all resources from the plan are included. General information for using the resources is available in the Companion Document for Aligning Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) with the Comprehensive Literacy Plan.

EPP Specific Resources

The Seven Components of Literacy

Language in Brief - (Oracy)
The Development of Phonological Skills - (Phonemic Awareness)
University of Florida Literacy Institute: Using Elkonin Boxes- (Phonemic Awareness)
Elkonin sound boxes: An evidence-based literacy strategy - (Phonemic Awareness)
Word Connections: A Multisyllabic Word Reading Program - (Word Recognition)
5 Step Process for Decoding Multisyllabic Words - (Word Recognition)
12 tips to help kids with dyslexia learn sight words - (Word Recognition)
When learning to read sight words goes wrong - (Fluency)
A Systematic Review of the Research on Vocabulary Instruction That Impacts Text Comprehension - (Vocabulary)
Reading Comprehension Requires Knowledge— of Words and the World- (Comprehension)
Reading for Writing: A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Reading Interventions on Writing - (Writing)
Illinois SLD Support Project- Reading Resources - (Multiple)
National Council for Teacher Quality- Textbook Reviews - (Multiple)
Mount St. Joseph University- Textbook Resources - (Multiple)

Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction and Practices

Quality Practical Experiences

Practical Knowledge and Teacher Reflection From a Practice-Based Literacy Teacher Education Program in the First Years A Longitudinal Study
Resources for Fieldwork and Practicum
Appendix A: Dr. Susan Foster, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville- School Read and Write Projects
Appendix B: Dr. Susan Foster, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville- Literacy Instruction Example with Read Aloud Strategy

Data-Driven Focus

Quality Test Construction
Reading Assessments and Their Purposes
Appendix C: Dr. Alexandra "Niki" Owens, McKendree University- Comprehensive Assessment Plan Proposal

Commitment to Equity

ISBE Evaluation for alignment to the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan

The Illinois Strategic Plan states that, “By the end of FY 2027, ISBE will conduct a program evaluation to determine the extent to which instruction in educator preparation programs aligns to literacy preparation standards and the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan.” Information on the program evaluation will be added to this section when it becomes available.

Resources

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