LM Feb 2024

Vision 2030 Workgroup Reconvenes in Springfield for Second Meeting By Jason Nevel IASA Director of Communications

How can we create a profession that our best and brightest want to do? Can the state enact pension reforms that strengthen public education? How does Illinois create an accountability system that doesn’t send the message students are failing? Can any curricular mandates be dropped to allow for

The goal of the Jan. 24 meeting was to build upon the foundation etched out at the first meeting in October by developing tactics to achieve priorities for the future. In addition, the Workgroup reviewed results from the statewide survey sent to educators and school board members in November. Dr. John Gatta, CEO of ECRA, the project design partner, said the goal of the statewide survey was to pressure test priority statements. “The results of the statewide survey clearly revealed that education leaders across Illinois are aligned to a common

vision for how to improve public education in Illinois,” Dr. Gatta said. Click Here to Read Vision 2030 Survey Results Once again, the Workgroup was divided into four subcommittees: Student Success, Educator Excellence, Accountability and Finance & Funding.

more exploratory, technological and career readiness learning experiences? Those questions, and more, were discussed and debated in great detail at the second Vision 2030 Workgroup meeting in Springfield on January 24.

The Vision 2030 Workgroup has been assembled to reflect upon the current state of education in Illinois and formulate priorities and policy positions that will serve as a framework for guiding advocacy efforts moving forward. Members include representatives from numerous statewide education organizations. Overall, the Workgroup has more than 100 members.

Student Success The subcommittee zeroed in on priorities for the future centered around promoting flexibility to meet the needs of diverse communities, emphasizing future-driven skills that allow for multiple definitions of student success, student safety and developing community and industry partnerships.

10 LM February 2024