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Illinois P-20 CouncilApril 19, 2019 12-3:30James R. Thompson Center Chicago, ILAt 12:13 Chair Jesse Ruiz called the meeting to order. He introduced himself and asked participants in the room and on the phone for introductionsCouncil Members Present: Erika Hunt, Audrey Soglin, Erik Zarnikow, Nyle Robinson, Dr. Brian Durham, Jane Russell, Matthew Rodriguez, Jim Nelson, Jonathan Doster (surrogate for Joyce Weiner), Jose Torres, Cynthia Tate, Robin Steans, Ted StalnosCouncil Members Joining Remotely: John Rico, Julio Rodriguez (surrogate for Erin Guthrie), Tom Bertrand, Lisa WeitzelThe Chair offered opening remarks. He then offered a fiscal update showing that of the FY19 allocation to P-20 of $150k, $35k remain. He then turned the room to Robin Steans of the Data Task Force to provide a final report. P-20 Education and Workforce Data Taskforce Report Robin Steans presented a high-level overview of the final report of the P-20 Data Task Force. The report was grounded in the concept that better access to data drives stronger decision making. In September the full council approved the creation of the taskforce because the existing Illinois Longitudinal Data System is approaching its 10th anniversary and does not serve the modern data needs of state agencies of enable interagency data-driven collaboration. The Taskforce was charged with reviewing our current data system and identifying gaps and pain points. Their goal was to identify best practices and develop a set of recommendations to bring back to the full council. The Taskforce concluded that although Illinois is starting from a strong point with the ILDS, we still have room to grow. Our current model of federated data, which dictates that each agency owns and houses its own data, is confusing and difficult to navigate, especially for end users who don’t always know where to search for data. Improvement is needed in the realms of access, analytic capacity, and collaboration. Greater capacity at an agency level, potential movement to a unified portal for the end user. Need to alleviate barriers to collaboration and facilitate easier pathways to address specific needs in a tighter timeframe. Steans expressed her desire to see the Governor’s Office take these recommendations and convert them into policy. The report’s three main conclusions are as follows:1. Establish leadership, vision and goals-Establish a culture of data-driven decision making. Make high quality information secure and readily accessible to decision makers to improve outcomes and share best practices. Recognize the vital role of the Governor’s Office in convening stakeholders and driving change and harness this power to implement the vision of the task force. Hope is that Governor adopts vision of the task force and establish leadership to enforce vision. Gain legislative support for these efforts to pursue appropriations and laws. Ensure that stakeholders help extend this culture and push for greater investment (private and public)2. Create data governance oversight- The report established two governance boards to oversee data collection: A P-20 data Advisory Board and an Education and Data Workforce Integrity Board (EDWIB). The former is tasked with governance and oversight. It provides a channel for end users to have an ongoing conversation to let the council know what is useful and what is not, what challenges they are running into when trying to use this data. EDWIB is more for internal usage to address issues with data security, integrity and technical issues. Jane Russell highlighted that IFT (on page 9 of the Taskforce report’s appendix) does not support the creation of the oversight bodies. IFT recognizes the value of using data as a classroom tool but have lingering questions about how to use it to most effectively facilitate student growth. Questions also remain about how Illinois can address research capacity now, rather than creating a governing board later. IFT has concerns over the need for governance structure to oversee what is happening directly in the classroom. On top of autonomy concerns IFT is afraid that an additional governing board requiring appropriations and labor will siphon resources away from districts still trying to “dig themselves out” of budgetary woes.3. Build capacity to support data useAgencies need to have capacity to manage data flow, respond to interagency needs, and operationalize the data they collect. There is a desire for a centralized system so that federated data systems can work together. The council cited the example of Kentucky’s advanced data system as a potential model. Several options were proposed regarding how a centralized system would function and where it would be housed. Members expressed the desire to make sure funding and resources allocated to create this system is not done at the expense of building agency capacity. 4. Focus on providing data that is useful to end usersThe goal of the improved data infrastructure is to make sure that end users have access to the information that they need to make data driven decisions. This means ensuring people know where to go to find answers and improving the system’s navigability. The council expressed the desire that the GO support these efforts, invest in capacity of the agencies and governance boards.Discussion:Brian Durham expressed the belief that success or failure of this project hinges on the capacity within and across agencies. Resources are needed to help agency staff increase analytic capacity and build on the data we have. Eric Zarnikow offered that ISAC is supportive of the use of data. The way people think about data privacy is changing, and especially pertinent are questions about data governance and ownership. The data ISAC gets as an agency is not owned, created, or collected by ISAC but without access to that data it could not manage its programs. There is a need to make sure agencies are good stewards of their data. Zarnikow further emphasized that the agencies will be held accountable for the ways they use data and for keeping it secure. ISAC is supportive but also cautious about accountability and what this will mean for its operating capacity. Steans said that Illinois is currently spending pennies per student on data capacity whereas other states are spending dollars. She expressed the need for a point person in the Governor’s Office to oversee the data culture shift and determine a true cost for the implementation of the recommendations in question. The chair asked about the expected timeline of this project. Steans responded by saying that if someone in the Governor’s Office were to be appointed to lead this then a lot of progress is expected within the next 6-12 months. Erika Hunt mentioned current hurdles to accessing data needed to apply for federal grants, and the funding opportunities we are losing out on if we aren’t investing in our data infrastructure. Judy Irwin spoke of the need for legislators to have access to good data to avoid “junk bills” based solely on anecdotal evidence. Tax payers presume that we’re using the best information we can get to make decisions. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The great information we have doesn’t always make its way to decision makers and policy makers. The quality of all of our work will go up. It’s not an either-or situation but we really owe it to everyone to make this work. Elliott Regenstein said that this is about fundamentally changing the ecosystem in which we all operate. Critical leadership is needed from the Governor’s office to make this happen. The P-20 is united behind this because it was seen as a worthwhile enterprise and the council is committed to seeing these recommendations move forward. We’ve set ourselves up to have certain types of conversation on an ongoing basis, including the people in this room and we need to determine who needs to continue on, especially considering needs of those not in the room. Nyle Robinson expressed that data could be useful in addressing the state’s higher education outmigration issue. The chair thanked the taskforce for its work, Robin Steans for her presentation, and the council for its discussion. He then introduced Bethany Patten of the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD) to present a brief overview of Early Childhood Workforce Compensation Parity.Early childhood Education (ECE) Workforce Compensation Parity Bethany Patten provided an overview of the ECE workforce from a systems-level perspective. She mentioned complicating factors such as the variety of settings where children are based and the variety of funding streams. The ECE workforce is 95% female, is largely heterogenous in age, and is more diverse than the K-12 workforce. Nearly half or all ECE educators have earned a bachelors or more advanced degree. As educators move into licensed home care, educators of color are more represented and typically lower compensated. ECE faces an educator shortage similar to that currently experienced by the K-12 system, and this understaffing often leads to many compounding issues. The ECE workforce shortage is partially fueled by low compensation and wage disparities. There are several existing barriers to recruitment and retention. Nearly half of Illinois’ ECE educators are eligible for public benefits, a rate similar to that of other states. Erika Hunt mentioned that the Gateways scholarship program is helpful for training new or existing members of the ECE workforce. She expressed concerns that Illinois might have to change the Gateways policy by 20205 (when the minimum wage will become $15/hour) to make sure people can’t lose eligibility. Hunt noted the common fear that more experienced workers will not be receive wages commensurate with experience, as they have been working for several years to rise to $15 and now new teachers will be making that from the onset of their careers. She also noted that ECE employers are fearful of competition from other industries who will have to offer commensurate wages to similarly skilled workers. Cynthia Tate added that GOECD frequently finds that on a local level that funding streams are facing very different compensation ladders. She noted the tensions between hiring a full staff and compensating them fairly against the ability of centers to offer high quality elements of care. Patten added that Illinois was selected to join an NGA cohort of other states to further these discussions. We will be receiving a one-year grant. The participating states are to conduct research into relevant national policies, seek input from members in the field, and to share findings. Tate mentioned that progress that has been made in the number of students taking ECE credits through Dual Enrollment. Hunt continued to emphasize value of Gateways scholarship and need for increased investment. At 1:23 the council took a break. It resumed at 1:mittee ReportsImplementation Review Committee- Jane Russell represented in person and Tom Bertrand spoke remotely. Russel provided an overview of IRC’s charge. She mentioned that IRC was recently reconstituted in October after its initial formation in 2015. A committee meeting was scheduled for December but did not occur because of uncertainties surrounding the gubernatorial transition. IRC would like to use some FY20 funds to carry their charge. Bertrand added that the last major work of the committee involved conducting focus groups and surveys and that new expenditures would likely do the same.Russel asked if there is going to be a procedure for the spend-down of the remaining P-20 funds, and whether the committees will need to create a budget. Robin Steans offered the information that FY19 was first year that P-20 received a state allocation. Each committee created a budget at the beginning of the fiscal year to figure out how the funds would be allocated. Requests were submitted to the chair and the council voted on the spending. Samantha Buck (member of the public) added that last year the committees requested less than what was appropriated, so all proposals were acceptedBrian Durham suggested that the council should be mindful of the Grant Accountability and Transparency upfront. The Chair decided that these budgetary decisions will be made at the June meeting. He requested that all committees seeking funding present a budget at that time. Family and Community Engagement - Matthew Rodriguez represented in person, Melissa Mitchell was on the phone. FCE wasn’t given a specific charge under the previous administration. The committee has done a lot of work to advise families and communities in navigating policy changes (he cited examples in attendance policies, ESSA, assessment changes). Rodriguez requested further guidance from the new administration regarding how FCE should approach the subject of engagement, be it via resource provision, workshops, or directing different partnerships. In FY18 FCE created a toolkit in English and Spanish to cover topics like how grading works, how to approach parent-teacher conversations. FCE wants to apply for schoolwide family engagement centers. Examining legislative priorities. Melissa Mitchell added that given the scope of work of P-20 FCE’s charge of facilitating parental involvement is massive and direction is needed as to how to proceed and narrow its focus. The committee is hoping to undertake a survey or scan of which local areas have done a good job of facilitating family engagement at the school level. This would include opportunities to engage with administrators to strengthen engagement with community. FCE would like advice on a more directed focus of the committee because its responsibilities are so broad. It wants to continue to engage with the work that other committees are doing to strengthen voice of families and communities. Teacher and Leader Effectiveness: Erika Hunt and Audrey Soglin presented in person. Prior to the meeting, TLE assembled a timeline to share institutional history, highlighting the role of TLE. Most of the committee’s work is done at the request of the agencies and has been used to influence rulemaking, legislation, and other policymaking. The cochairs emphasized the value of TLE’s full systems perspective (engagement at all levels, collect data and conduct surveys, webinars, and other mechanisms via listserv). The committee will be working to update website. Hunt requested staffing support to achieve their goals. Diverse Educator Learning Exchange was a 2012 TLE charge to create a more diverse educator pipeline. Recommendations created using extensive data are waiting to be put into action and potential partners have been identified. The committee would like to revisit these recommendations and see them implemented. The chairs expressed a belief that the current teacher could have been mitigated if this plan had been utilized. The cochairs requested funding and a new charge, which traditionally has been directed from ISBE or the Governor’s Office. TLE used the $50k from FY19 appropriation to collaborate with EdSystems and Joyce Foundation. The chairs reiterated that the committee’s essential role is to facilitate systems work. They are asking for better coordination to reduce duplicative and siloed efforts. The budget impasse affected the allocation of $750k that would have facilitated these efforts. They provided examples of places where diverse teacher pipeline could be strengthened. IERC at SIU found that there is a difference between the number of diverse teacher prep program graduates and those who obtain licenses to teach in Illinois because they are going to other states. TLE is trying to form bridges between TPPs and districts that are looking to hire more diverse teachers. Students do best when learning from teachers that look like them. We need a teaching force that reflects the diversity our schools.Eric Zarnikow added that the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship program could use more funding. Many grants have been converted into loans and there is growing demand for this program to expand. The conversation briefly shifted to outmigration of teachers, who are leaving the state because of compensation issues. College and Career Readiness: Emily Rusca and Juan-Jose Gonzalez presented in person. CCR’s full committee and steering committee have been revived within the past year and are working on greater alignment of education and workforce areas. CCR submitted a letter to the education transition committee and to members of the new administration to highlight work of past year, including the PWR Act, the WRAP committee, and the NGA Policy Academy on work-based learning. The committee is continuing to improve dual credit offerings and close equity gaps. CCR is hoping to ground recommendation of equity targets in new data, which would hinge on the receipt of funding from the request made by Dr. Durham (a later agenda item). The committee is turning some of its focus to aligning the new Perkins implementation recommendations, with PWR. Gonzalez provided an overview of the Scaling Education Pathways in Illinois (SEPI), a collaboration between TLE and CCR, EdSystems and Joyce Foundation. SEPI is an equity-focused initiative that aims to incentivize districts to create a career pathway endorsement to encourage more high school graduates to enter the teaching profession. The program entails a promise of a job placement at that district after students complete their TPP. It also includes other structural support such as mentorship opportunities for new teachers. Gonzalez reviewed the requirements of the program on the part of students, districts, TPPs and other stakeholders. The first eight collaborations will be funded this year, and the first cohort eligible to graduate with the endorsement will consist of roughly 500 students in the class of 2021. Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3)- Dr. Darcy Benway represented via WebEx. Since her appointment as MIC3 commissioner in December, she has held one meeting. Dr. Benway discussed state requirement for military identifiers to be included in ILDS and wants to use data to better support military students. MIC3 leaders will meet at each IL military base and speak with families directly to better cater to their needs. The committee will be looking to ISBE for support and inclusion on the district website.Data Assessment and Accountability: Robin Steans and Dea Meyers represented in person. The co-chairs thanked everyone for participating in the Data Task Force. Spoke about traditionally strong engagement. In the previous year the committee was able to put together a group to provide recommendations for the next year including equity recommendations and other issues during the ESSA implementation and IL Empower. DAA plans to hold a meeting sometime in the next few weeks. Agency ReportsAction items- ICCB is the fiscal agent for P-20 and $35k of uncommitted funding from FY19 remains. Funding is already subcontracted to Education Systems at Northern Illinois University. Would like to use these funds to support 2 ongoing projects.$25k to support the development of the Dual Credit Quality Act Statewide planFor assistance to high schools who cannot fund these efforts locallyTed Stalnos motioned, Robin Steans secondedMotion carried, Brian Durham abstains$10k for impact project to support postsecondary enrollment and completion projectsWill be used to develop equity projects Jose Torres motioned, Jim Nelson secondedMotion carried, Brian Durham abstainsThe Chair moved to accept recommendations of P-20 Data Task Force Tate motioned, Steans secondedBody ENTHUSIASTICALLY carried the motionICCB (Brian Durham): The community college system has experienced an increase in completions in recent years. Community colleges voted to implement common placement framework and a work group will convene to discuss implementation. Two major needs have been identified: System alignment, multiple entry points into the community college system. ICCB is working on Perkins V implementation and would like further time to discuss this. The Perkins transition plan is due later this year, and the four-year plan is in development. The new plan entails a larger emphasis on stakeholder engagement. Local area workforce needs will be emphasized. In the legislature, ICCB is working on further development of a widespread apprenticeship grant program and making technical changes to adult education programs. IBHE (Nyle Robinson): IBHE is pleased with the Governor’s FY20 budget, which contains a 5% funding increase to all universities, the largest increase in several years. IBHE is also excited about the pending capital bill and emergency funding re-appropriations, as capital funding has not been released in a decade. The board is working to support a reimagined master plan, as part of an effort to improve the collective brand of Illinois higher education. Noting the need for stronger data collection, Robinson mentioned that the board is focusing on examining recruitment and retention of Illinois students, particularly of students of color. Since 2017, there have been 38 closures of for-profit and non-profit institutions, which has added to the volatility surrounding higher education in Illinois. Argosy University is the latest school to close. IBEH is creating a cross-agency task force to examine issues across agencies and address gaps to better administer services. ISBE (Carmen Ayala): ISBE released an RFP for the PI, PFA, and PFA Expansion initiatives. The board worked closely with the Governor’s Office and GOECD to increased clarity and equity for all applicants. The new funding is meant to open 14,000 additional seats in these ECE programs, especially in underserved communities, as well as allow for increased spending per-pupil. ISBE is looking into revising the state plan. Some of the proposed changes require amendments, and some do not. Based on feedback from the field, ISBE will adjust the way student success indicators are weighted This is true especially for ELL students. The Board is considering changing the names of indicators and designations and removing some of the ratings beyond/on top of designations. ISBE will work with the Governor’s Office to hold a listening tour during the early summer months. The Board wants to provide funding for innovative solutions to address teacher shortage, especially catering to diversity of district types. ISBE recognizes the need to help existing staff as well as improve recruitment efforts. The Board is also interested in examining evaluation current assessment standards, implementing a K-3 assessment anchored in the Illinois Learning Assessment Standards and linked to ESSA accountability standards. ISBE is considering native language assessments for ELL students. ISBE is taking a multi-faceted approach to addressing the teacher shortage. Several bills are in the legislature regarding licensure. Legislators have keyed in on elimination of basic skills test as a redundant barrier to entry. Other bills examine issues in content assessment and edTPA, seeking to update the existing tests and take stock of where pitfalls may be. Erika Hunt asked about a component of SB1952 allowing student teachers to be paid, asked whether this will allow student teaching to take place at their place of future employment. Several persons in the room believe it will be added as an amendment.ISAC (Eric Zarnikow): MAP for FY19 is wrapping up, though ISAC is working with the comptroller to pay schools that have not yet been reimbursed for the second semester. Usually schools are paid in March, but the delay is due to a cashflow challenge. MAP for FY20 is being awarded. Zarnikow noted a decline in FAFSA filing in IL, where only about 7% of MAP eligible students are filing. While much discussion is focused on outmigration, these numbers indicate that conversations should also focus on those not going to college at all. This may be reflective of a strong job market. AIM HIGH will provide financial aid in FY20 for student enrolling this fall. Waiting for FY18 audits to be finalized, has been holdout re: pensions. ISAC is waiting for the passage of the FY20 budget. While the Commission is excited that Gov requested $50m extra for MAP, they have an additional budgetary request to supplant declining federal funding. In a legislative update, Zarnikow spoke of the many bills introduced annually that are not informed by data and instead by anecdotal evidence. He attested that this session has proven difficult to fight off bad legislation, largely because of the influx of new legislators. Often many bills pass that are subject to appropriation that the agency must prepare for and write rules for but often go unfunded, which is costly and onerous. Erika Hunt offered that the mission of P-20 is to advise GO, Leg, and Agencies. If there are contentious issues gaining traction and we can weigh in, that may be a good use of this group. Brian Durham mentioned that many of the bills in question require some sort of data reporting as well. The chair closed the meeting by thanking the council for their efforts and wishing them a happy holiday weekend.The Chair asked for a motion to adjourn, Zarnikow motioned, Durham seconded. The meeting adjourned at 3:08pm. ................
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