Leadership Matters - October 2014

New Illinois Learning Standards provide important tools for educators

Generation Science Standards earlier this year. We adopted new physical education standards last year to make sure students can work well together and develop habits that promote their overall physical and emotional wellness. Just last month, I requested a review of our arts and social studies standards to align them with our college and career readiness goals and expectations. Two committees composed of advocates, teachers, administrators and community partners will study the current standards, review those of other states and make recommendations for improvements. This process has been a good evolution from the outdated expectations of our previous learning

Message from the State Superintendent of Education

Later this month, the Illinois State Board of Education will honor more than 200 outstanding educators and school personnel from across the state during the 40 th annual “Those Who Excel” banquet in Normal. One individual will be named that evening as the Illinois Teacher of the Year for 2015. This program allows us to recognize individuals

benchmarks. The new standards are important tools for teachers to help guide their instruction and ensure that students not only master content but a variety of skills as well. A majority of educators believe the new standards will improve students’ ability to lead, focus and connect with ongoing initiatives to improve the quality of education in Illinois, according to results from Scholastic’s Primary Sources Survey of Illinois teachers last fall. As implementation continues, more teachers are working together in teams and sharing ideas and best practices. Teachers are also acting as facilitators with their students to promote active and engaged learning. I have no doubt that more teachers, as

and teams who work on behalf of students each day to help them become successful lifelong learners. Additionally, it is an opportunity to celebrate and promote public education. It’s so important that we take time to publicly recognize these educators and their dedication, leadership, enthusiasm and innovation in the classroom. Great teaching takes hard work and the right mix of preparation, skills and flexibility to produce exceptional outcomes. The State Board is committed to providing educators with every tool and advantage needed to give students a challenging and well- rounded education that’s relevant to real-world experiences. Our effort to update content standards in all subject areas is just one way we are working toward this goal. As we prepare our students to compete and thrive in the 21 st century, we must address the needs of a child as a whole and foster their development as critical and creative thinkers, collaborative problem solvers and healthy, civic- minded citizens.

The new standards are important tools for teachers to help guide their instruction and ensure that students not only master content but a variety of skills as well. A majority of educators believe the new standards will improve students’ ability to lead, focus and connect with ongoing initiatives to improve the quality of education in Illinois, according to results from Scholastic’s Primary Sources Survey of Illinois teachers last fall.

-- Dr. Christopher A. Koch, State Superintendent of Education

well as students, will realize their full potential under our new expectations and initiatives and your guidance. I look forward to recognizing their achievements.

To build on our adoption of the new Illinois Learning Standards in English language arts and math four years ago, we adopted the Next

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