Illinois Vision 2030

WHEREAS, public education plays a defining role in ensuring equal opportunity for children in Illinois and throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, it is our collective duty to ensure that every student, regardless of demographic or geographic identity, has equal access to a quality, public education; and

WHEREAS, we believe that strides need to be proactively made to face challenges and continually improve our public education system; and

WHEREAS, there have been three areas of prioritization identified as integral in improving our public education system: Future-Focused Learning, Shared Accountability, and Predictable Funding; and

WHEREAS, Future-Focused Learning should address: promoting future-driven skills that allow for more college and career exploration; enhancing student safety and well-being; attracting and retaining a high quality and diverse educator pipeline; and promoting curriculum and instructional flexibility to meet the unique needs of local communities; and

WHEREAS, Shared Accountability should address: reforming the Illinois assessment system to be a timely and useful measure of student proficiency and growth over time; reforming the current accountability system to provide local flexibility for identifying indicators that create a more holistic view of student success; and reforming the mandate process to ensure implementation procedures that promote flexibility and local decision making; and

WHEREAS, Predictable Funding should address: protecting the integrity and funding of the evidence-based funding formula; strengthening public education through pension reforms; and establishing equitable funding sources for Capital and safety needs; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that any education improvement proposal for comprehensive change must be developed and supported by not only the education community, but in collaboration with families, communities, businesses, and others whose priorities reflect the best interests of the students;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the _______________________ Board of Education joins with the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) , Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), Illinois Principals’ Association (IPA), Illinois Association of School Business Officials (IASBO), Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools (IARSS), Superintendents’ Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity (SCSDD), Illinois Alliance of Special Education Administrators (IAASE), and the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS) in supporting the Vision 2030 education improvement policy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the _________________________ Board of Education urges the Illinois General Assembly to approve the necessary legislative changes to implement the recommendations under the three pillars of education improvement as contained in the Vision 2030 policy.

Adopted this ____ day of __________, 20___.

Attested by:                                                                                               , Board President

Attested by:                                                                                               , Board Secretary