Our Stories

Our Stories

New White Paper Spotlights Schools’ Literacy Journeys

Mar 26, 202503 min read
Cartoon of a small child standing on a stack of books to look at fireworks. the fireworks are embedded in the stars of the American flag.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Mea Anderson | [email protected] (Springfield) — “When the Illinois Early Literacy Coalition saw results from a study last year that found Illinois to be among three states that had recovered from pandemic learning loss in reading, we wanted to know more about what was happening in classrooms,” said Barb Cohen, Policy Associate with the […]

Support Evidence-Based Professional Development

Feb 18, 202502 min read
elementary schoolers siting on a rug in a classroom
Illinois has made great strides toward improving our literacy rates and ensuring all students have access to evidence-based literacy instruction, but our work is not done! In order for students to receive quality instruction, their teachers must have access to quality, research-aligned professional development. Help us make that a reality by submitting a witness slip […]

STAND FOR CHILDREN URGES CHICAGO SCHOOL BOARD TO CANCEL LAST MINUTE MEETING

Dec 19, 202402 min read
Chicago flag
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Mea Anderson | [email protected] | Marketing and Communications Manager December 19, 2024 STAND FOR CHILDREN URGES CHICAGO SCHOOL BOARD TO CANCEL LAST MINUTE MEETING Less than one month before ten democratically elected school board members are seated, the CPS Board of Education has decided to rush a monumental decision impacting the future of […]

The NewsSTAND: November 2024

Nov 15, 202401 min read
September 2023. The NewsSTAND. blue gradient
The Occasional Publication for Persistent Education Friends

Pumpkins, Candy, and Report Card Data

Oct 31, 202402 min read
graphic of a ghost wearing sunglasses, carrying a jack-o-lantern, and leaning against books
Every year, I somewhat nerdily anticipate the public release of Illinois Report Card data that comes out around Halloween. It’s just part of the season: pumpkins, candy, election canvassing, and report card data. There is a LOT of good information in Illinois’ award-winning report card, so I recommend taking a look when you have some […]

General Election Resources 2024

Oct 10, 202403 min read
Voting booths
Hi Illinois, election season is officially upon us! There are a lot of local, state, and national races happening this year making it that much more important to get out and vote in this election. With so much on the ballot this year, we want to help you be as prepared as possible to vote […]