District and School Improvement Plans

The Illinois State Board of Education encourages all Illinois education districts and schools to organize their educational improvement and technology integration planning through use of electronic Illinois e-Plans. These planning instruments are accessible via interactive templates on the Interactive Illinois Report Card (IIRC) at http://iirc.niu.edu/.

Illinois e-Plans include:

• District Improvement Plan
• School Improvement Plan
• Restructuring Plan
• Title I District Plan

Use of specific e-Plans is required for some districts and schools according to state and federal regulations. The templates are also beneficial to all districts and schools as planning tools.

Overview of Illinois e-Plans

Trend Data for multiple years are automatically populated in the template. State assessment data and other district or school information are provided.

• The screens organize the state assessment data, highlighting any areas under the required benchmarks in red.
• Each data screen prompts the analysis of these data. Users are prompted to draw conclusions about their data and to consider factors that may have contributed to the results.
• The final screen in the data section populates all the conclusions/factors so that users may note what key factors must be addressed in the action plans.

Users are able to select what kinds of plans they need/want to create from either the district or school main menus at the Interactive Illinois Report Card (IIRC) site. All plan templates are available on the district menus; only the school improvement plans are available at the school menu. Once the type of plan is selected, IIRC should open the template with the prompts appropriate for the district/school. [e.g. a single school district that wants to complete a district improvement plan will open a template that automatically provides the district and the school improvement requirements so they do one, not two plans; a district in status may create their technology plan while completing their revised plan per No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), Section 1116].

Overview of Illinois District and School Plans

• District Improvement Plan (DIP): Submission of this plan is required by state and federal regulations for districts that are in academic status. The plan must cover two fiscal years (e.g. FY08-FY09) and must be revised every two years while the district remains in status.
  
• School Improvement Plan (SIP): Submission of this plan is required by state and federal regulations for schools that are in academic status. A plan must cover two fiscal years (e.g. FY 08-FY09) and must be revised every two years while the school remains in status.
  
• Restructuring Plan: This plan is required by state and federal regulations for schools that are in level academic status AW3 or beyond. The plan may be a multi-year plan that will be implemented should the school fail to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) again. Districts must develop restructuring plans on behalf of their schools in restructuring planning status.
  
• Title I District Plan: All school districts receiving Title I federal funding must have a Title I District Plan (Local Educational Plan) on file prior to receiving Title I funds.
  
• Technology Integration Plan: This plan shall be used to meet the federal Title II D and eRate funding requirements. These plans may span one, two or three years but in any case no more than three fiscal years.

Submission Dates for 2007-2008:

Resources:

Regional System of Support Provider (RESPRO)
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 in four improvement components: 1) data analysis and DIP and SIP development; 2) standards-aligned curriculum, instruction, and classroom assessment; 3) teacher and administrator enhancement; and 4) student, family, and community support services. Priority status is given to those districts with schools subject to 1) restructuring, and corrective action and school improvement, as well as Title I schools with marginal academic performance.

Complete Resource Manual: (District Improvement Plans; School Improvement Plans; Restructuring Plans; Title I District Plans)

Sample District and School Improvement Plans:
With an understanding that there is no perfect plan, samples of 2006-2008 district and school improvement plans are available to assist with the development and refinement of plans.

Tips for SIPs and DIPs:
Suggestions on how to complete the Illinois e-Plans: School Improvement and District Improvement plans at IIRC: http://iirc.niu.edu/. This PowerPoint presentation was prepared to assist school-level and RESPRO personnel develop and refine the improvement plans.

Guidance for Restructuring – Broad Strokes:
Presentation details 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.

Illinois Title I District e-Plan:
Detailed description on how to develop and complete the Title I e-Plan as required by the NCLB Act: Section 1112. The PowerPoint presentation was prepared to assist school-level personnel develop and refine the Title I District plan and complete the e-Plan at http://iirc.niu.edu/.

School Board Responsibilities:
This PowerPoint presentation was prepared to assist school board members who are charged with approving improvement plans when districts and schools are in academic status. The presentation provides background on the Interactive Report Card and e-Plan tools that staff members use in creating plans, offers tips about using the tools, and helps members know what to look for in approving plans.

Standards-Aligned Curriculum Development:
Selected samples of resources have been identified to assist districts and schools with the development and implementation of a 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 Learner students).

Assistance

For assistance in developing or implementing a school or district improvement plan or a restructuring plan, contact your Regional System of Support Provider (RESPRO) or call Federal Grants and Programs at 217-524-4832.

For assistance with Title I District Plans call the Federal Grants and Programs at 217-524-4832 and request assistance from the assigned principal consultant.