dwalker, Author at Stand for Children Illinois

Support Dual Credit Learning

Members in Action | 08/23/2023

Stand for Children

The Higher Learning Commission, the accrediting body for Illinois colleges and universities, has proposed a policy change that will have a big impact on dual credit in Illinois, allowing greater flexibility for faculty credentials to teach dual credit which can help schools expand dual credit courses amidst the ongoing teacher shortage. The proposed rules maintain that institutions of high learning will continue to review and approve faculty credentials, but it opens the door to recognizing equivalent experience and progress towards full credentials. You can read the full policy change here.

As proponents of equitable, high-quality dual credit expansion, Stand for Children Illinois applauds these proposed changes as a smart way to maintain rigor while paving the way for new instructors to earn credentials to teach dual credit. You can let the Higher Learning Commission know you support these changes by submitting public comments no later than September 18th. We have shared our letter below, which you can download and submit as is or use as a foundation for comments of your own.

You can submit your comments to [email protected] by September 18th. If you have questions, reach out to us at [email protected].

HLC Proposed Rule Change Comment Letter Download

ISBE Literacy Plan Feedback

Early Childhood Literacy | 06/30/2023

Stand for Children

The Illinois Early Literacy Coalition drafted a response to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) literacy plan.

CoalitionResponseLetter-FINAL-6.28.23 Download

Petition to ISBE

Early Childhood Literacy | 06/20/2023

Stand for Children

Let’s do better by our teachers – and in turn, all children. Please sign this petition and share it widely.

To the Illinois State Board of Education:

We are parents, educators, civil rights advocates, and community members who share the belief that every child in Illinois deserves equitable access to high-quality literacy instruction, and every teacher deserves access to high-quality training and curricular materials to support that instruction. A recent national report that found most of the reviewed Illinois educator preparation programs neglect critical elements of reading instruction and persist in including instruction in debunked practices has left us outraged, disheartened, and motivated to demand change.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has failed in its responsibility to rigorously monitor and assess the course content offered by Educator Prep Programs, thus depriving countless educators of the quality education they deserve. We, those who count on the devoted and professional educators who teach our children, demand accountability and immediate action to rectify this situation.

Those who choose to dedicate themselves to teaching invest significant time and money to attend an ISBE-approved program. They deserve to know that ISBE’s stamp of approval means that program is aligned to ISBE’s literacy standards, which are widely recognized as high-quality. But this report shows a deep disconnect between ISBE’s standards and the course content in many accredited Illinois programs.

It is a new day at ISBE, with a new State Superintendent, several new board members, and a new focus on literacy outcomes. We call on you to leverage your authority in program approval to ensure educator preparation programs offer high-quality, comprehensive literacy content aligned to ISBE’s standards, and cease teaching instructional methods that have been scientifically debunked.

Sincerely,

Dual Credit Funding Approved

Uncategorized | 06/5/2023

Stand for Children

Illinois’ FY24 budget was full of investments for education; $250 million investment in the Governor’s Smart Start initiative to expand access to early childhood education, an additional $350 million for Evidence-Based Funding to ensure each and every Illinois’ student receives a high-quality education, and an increase of $100 million for Monetary Award Program (MAP) scholarships to make college a reality for everyone.

These funds are historic investments in Illinois’ students, but I am most excited about a smaller but no less historic appropriation for Dual Credit course expansion. The budget included $3.15 million for the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) for Dual Credit grants and administration, the state’s first ever Dual Credit appropriation. These funds will help expand access to underserved populations and support teachers as they complete the coursework needed to be fully credentialled to teach these rigorous college-level courses.

Since these grants will be brand new, the ICCB now has the opportunity to develop details of how the funds will be allocated. There’s no shortage of critical places of investment to promote equitable Dual Credit access up and down Illinois, including funding for:

Teachers to complete coursework required to complete a Professional Development Plans. Student interest in Dual Credit coursework has continued to outpace the number of available instructors. To help districts meet growing student demand the state allows interim-qualified instructors to teach Dual Credit if they start a Professional Development Plan and complete the necessary coursework to be fully qualified within three years. The ICCB could offer competitive grants to high school districts with limited Dual Credit course offerings and enrollments to assist teachers with the cost of continuing education to be fully credentialled.

Reduced course costs for students. Some schools shield students from the cost of Dual Credit courses by picking up the tab for Dual Credit coursework, others cannot afford to do so. This creates deeps inequities around who can access these important courses. Grants can help level the playing field by offering formula grants to underfunded districts with Dual Credit programs to help offset the course costs, textbooks, and additional fees.

Expanded course access across the state. Research tells us that high school students presented with opportunities to access college coursework are more likely to go to and through college. The opportunity for Dual Credit should be available to all Illinois students regardless of their zip code, but barriers remain as funding inequities among districts persist. Competitive grants to districts could help tackle these barriers and improve equity, helping schools expand existing programs, develop new ones, or provide additional student and programmatic support funding activities, like student wrap around services, schoolwide placement testing, workshops to embed dual credit into the curriculum and CTE pathways, and Dual Credit advisory councils to engage administrators, instructors, and higher learning partners.

Stand will continue to engage the ICCB and Dual Credit stakeholders to ensure these new funds break down barriers and expand equitable access for educators and students alike. Interesting in knowing more about Dual Credit opportunities in your district? Visit Stand’s Dual Credit Advocacy Toolkit to learn more.