Illinois State Board of Education
{{CurrentPage.Topics.DisplayName}} {{CurrentPage.Subtopic_x0020_Level_x0020_1}}

{{CurrentPage.Title}}

The 2024-2027 Illinois Strategic PlanPDF Document 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:

  1. 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.”
  2. 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 GuidePDF Document 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.​​

EPP Alignment to the ICLP Office Hours

Office hours will be held from November - March on the first Wednesday of every month from 1-2 p.m.

Timeline

  1. The self-assessment tool is available to pilot EPPs.

  2. The self-assessment tool is available to all EPPs. The next step document is available to pilot EPPs.

  3. The next step document is available to pilot EPPs.

  4. ISBE releases information on the upcoming evaluation.

  5. Documentation due for evaluation.

​

Steering Team and Pilot

The fourteen members of the steering team were selected based upon previous experience in literacy in educator preparation; demographic information, such as IHE location, size, and type (private or public); and the volunteer’s ability to participate in bimonthly meetings.

The Steering Team’s charge:

  • Create a draft and final rubric for the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan
  • Provide recommendations for next steps based on rubric results
  • Represent diverse EPPs in Illinois

The Pilot was compromised of individuals from the following institutions:

  • Chicago State University
  • DePaul University
  • McKendree University
  • Millikin University
  • National Louis University
  • Olivet Nazarene University
  • Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville

The Pilot’s charge:

  • Provide ISBE with an executive summary of any meetings related to the self-assessment tool
  • Provide ISBE with an overview of the process and methodology of completing the self-assessment
  • Provide ISBE with an overview of the lessons learned and key takeaways after completing the self-assessment​

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​.

Webinars and other Resources

Guidance and Resources for Alignment

Guidance and additional resources for alignment planning and next steps are forthcoming (see above timeline). EPPs should prioritize using the self-assessment tool to identify "Development Focus Points" and "Key Success Areas" in the meantime.

* * * This page has been archived. The content on this page may no longer be in effect. * * *

Contact Information