Sycamore, IL… The Illinois State Board of Education is asking area residents for input in shaping new policies and regulations about educating children in Illinois. State Representative Bob Pritchard (R-Sycamore) urges teachers, parents and community members to attend a feedback session on Wednesday, October 5th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the DeKalb County Farm Center at 1350 W Prairie Drive, Sycamore.
“The state board is holding ‘listening’ sessions around Illinois to gather feedback as to how it should replace the ‘No child Left Behind” federal law with a new plan that refocuses policy and accountability back to a state level,” Pritchard explained. “It’s important for educators and those of us not in education to share our views about a draft plan to prepare every child for success.”
A copy of the State Board of Education (ISBE) draft plan is available at their website (www.isbe.net) under the title of ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act). It is a work in progress says State Superintendent Tony Smith which is why public comments are so valuable. ISBE plans to finalize the new plan early next year and roll it out to schools in the 2017-2018 school year.
“Educating our children is a community effort,” Pritchard states, “and we all benefit when children learn the skills and values to be productive citizens and lead our communities in the future.” Questions raised at the meeting will seek local responses to such questions as how we should measure student growth, programs necessary so every child progresses and ways to help teachers and school leaders better respond to the diversity and needs of students today.
Questions about the meeting and state education plan can be addressed to Representative Pritchard’s office at 815-748-3494.
