Bill authorizes state to recommend content, teaching methods for each year of high school

SPRINGFIELD - April 25, 2012. Illinois middle and high schools are one step closer to accessing statewide math curricula thanks to a bill supported by Lt. Governor Sheila Simon that passed the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee unanimously today.

SB 3244, which passed 22-0, authorizes the Illinois State Board of Education to design curriculum models that detail content and teaching techniques for middle and high school math standards. Schools could opt to follow the state-recommended scope and sequence of study for math and math equivalent courses through a student's final year of high school, or continue to follow local curricula.

The bill does not change high school graduation requirements in math; however the state could adjust the requirement - by mandating more time or a competency test, for example - if it finds that students who use the state curriculum perform better than those that do not. The new curriculum will be available for the 2013-14 school year, with analysis to come four years later, according to the bill.

"Students learn locally, but they compete globally," Simon said. "Employers and colleges are telling us that too many of our students are not competing in math. This bill will provide educators across the state, in all zip codes, the tools they need to prepare their students for college and career math."

In 2011, 58 percent of high school graduates did not meet the math college readiness benchmark, according to ACT. More than one-third of recent high school graduates who transitioned as full-time community college freshmen between 2006-08 enrolled in at least one remedial math course, according to the Illinois Community College Board. Students who enroll in remedial courses are more likely to drop out or graduate late.

Simon said the optional statewide curriculum moves away from simply requiring "seat time" to promoting use of that time wisely, with the ultimate goal of making students more employable and reducing expensive and time-consuming remedial math needs in higher education. The state curriculum could be most helpful to teachers in districts that lack curriculum directors or that rely on textbook manufacturers that claim their materials are aligned with state standards.

The bill passed out of the Senate 50-1 in March and now moves to the House for a vote.

SPRINGFIELD - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will testify Wednesday morning in support of SB 3244 before the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee. The bill creates optional state math curricula that extends from middle school through the final year of high school, and aims to boost college and career readiness. In 2011, 58 percent of Illinois high school graduates did not meet the math college readiness benchmark, according to ACT.

TIME: 9 a.m.

DATE: Wednesday, April 25

PLACE: Room 114, State Capitol, Springfield

Erie Elementary Charter School Expands Educational Opportunities for Low-Income Students

CHICAGO - April 24, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today continued his commitment to improving education in Illinois by joining students, parents, advocates and community leaders to break ground on an addition to Erie Elementary Charter School (EECS). The state is providing $12 million in Illinois Jobs Now! capital funds to build the addition, which will help the school expand its innovative curriculum and its use of technology to improve learning.

"We must invest in 21st century facilities that will help provide our children with a 21st century education," Governor Quinn said. "Supporting early education and elementary schools will increase students' success in the future and help them realize their full potential, which paves the way for economic growth."

Erie Elementary Charter School (EECS) opened in 2005 with 80 students in kindergarten through 1^st grade. Its programs were based on the strong foundation of the nationally-accredited preschool program at the Erie Neighborhood House, which has been serving and educating Chicago's low-income immigrant population since 1870. It has since expanded to serve students in grades K-5, and today's announcement will increase its capacity to serve more than 400 low-income or disadvantaged students in grades K-8.

"Erie Elementary Charter School hopes to close the achievement gap by providing high quality, bilingual education that puts students on the path to success in secondary and higher education," said EECS Principal Velia Soto. "We are grateful for the state's support of these critical efforts to offer a quality education for our students."

The new 16,000 square-foot addition will mean more classroom space for art, music and parent education, as well as extracurricular activities. The building will also host a new gymnasium, a computer lab and expanded staff office and administration space. The facility will also be compliant with the American's with Disabilities Act and include environmentally safe and efficient processes necessary to quality for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification.

"Education plays a key role in our ability to develop and maintain a workforce that is prepared to meet the challenges of a 21st century economy," said DCEO Director David Vaught. "This funding will help ensure more Illinois children have access to a quality educational environment and facilities that will give them a leg up and prepare them for the future."

In his proposed budget, Governor Quinn reiterated his commitment to education, jobs and economic growth by maintaining funding for K-12 and higher education, increasing early childhood funding by $20 million, and calling for a $50 million increase for the state Monetary Award Program (MAP), which provides college scholarships for needy students. Governor Quinn also recently announced $623 million in Illinois Jobs Now! capital funding to help dozens of school districts statewide make critical repairs, additions and technology updates to classrooms. Combined with local dollars, the funding will allow school districts to complete projects totaling more than $1.2 billion.

To ensure the continuation of the state's capital plan and projects like these, which are putting hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents back to work, Governor Quinn has proposed necessary changes to stabilize and restructure the state's pension and Medicaid programs after decades of fiscal mismanagement. The proposals outline up to $85 billion in savings from changes to the pension system (based on current actuarial assumptions), and $2.7 billion in savings from restructuring Medicaid. These changes will lead to greater certainty in Illinois' business climate and help respond to serious concerns from the ratings' agencies. The billions of dollars saved through these reforms are key to the state's ability to ensure that critical capital improvement and road safety projects in Illinois are able to move forward.

Farm Bureau awards $180,000 to current and future college students

 WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - April 23, 2012 - Iowa students are preparing themselves to become the future leaders of agriculture and are interested in a variety of areas ranging from genetics to business to education to nursing. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has awarded $1,000 scholarships for tuition to 180 students who plan to study agriculture at their chosen colleges and universities.

In addition, Clayton Robison of Henry County was named the recipient of the Daniel Johnson Memorial Scholarship, a one-time $500 award for a student from one of eleven counties in southeast Iowa: Keokuk, Washington, Louisa, Muscatine, Wapello, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, Davis, Van Buren and Lee.  The scholarship is awarded in honor of the late Daniel Johnson, a former Iowa Farm Bureau director, farmer, volunteer firefighter and school board president.

"These scholarships help students pursue their dreams and so many of those career aspirations include agriculture or support jobs in rural communities. We're honored to help these future leaders get a start in their academic pursuits and help them with their educational goals," said IFBF Community Resources Director Barb Lykins.

First-time Farm Bureau scholarship recipients include 54 graduating high school seniors or students currently enrolled in their chosen college or university.  Students are eligible to renew the scholarships for up to four years by maintaining a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and by being a student in good standing with the college or university.

Six recipients were selected from each of the nine IFBF districts.  Scholarships were awarded to children of Farm Bureau members who plan to or currently attend an accredited college, university or community college to earn two or four-year degrees.

First-time applicants were asked to write an essay indicating the contributions they expect to make to agriculture and the rural community.  They also were selected based on their academic achievement, financial need, community and extracurricular involvement and letters of recommendation.

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Editor's Note: First-time scholarship winners (listed alphabetically by hometown), parent names and future or current college are listed below.

IOWA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION FIRST-TIME SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Ackley, Samantha Roelfs, Jim and Kandi Roelfs, Iowa State University

Alburnett, Dustin Lange, Timothy and Rhonda Lange, Iowa State University

Ashton, Michelle Fischer, Doug and Janelle Fischer, South Dakota State University

Audubon, Stacey Bruch, Brian and Nancy Bruch, Des Moines Area Community College

Chariton, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Tim and Darcy Fitzgerald, Iowa State University

Chariton, Tyler Folkerts, Todde and Michelle Folkerts, Central College

Clearfield, Matthew Kerns, Steven and Becky Kerns, Iowa State University

Clutier, Kelsey Upah, Duane and Gail Upah, Iowa State University

Columbus Junction, Delaney Howell, Dale and Dana Howell, Northwest Missouri State University

Corning, Haley Holbrook, Jerry and Tracy Holbrook, Iowa State University

Corwith, Katelyn Terhark, Bruce and Jackie Terhark, North Central University

Decorah, Kilah Hemesath, Keith and Linda Hemesath, Iowa State University

Delmar, Landon Rorah, Greg and Mary Lou Rorah, Kirkwood Community College

Donnellson, Derek Vandenberg, Brad and Sue Vandenberg, Kirkwood Community College

Dubuque, Michael Bahl, Martin and Linda Bahl, Iowa State University

Early, Isaac Jepsen, Lonny and Tracey Jepsen, Iowa State University

Eddyville, Nathaniel Harris, Terry and Lois Harris, Dordt College

Fairfield, Whitney Taglauer, Brian and Sherry Taglauer, Iowa State University

Galt, Adelai Swanson, Stuart and Lori Swanson, Iowa State University

Grafton, Marena Bartz, Merlin and Lisa Bartz, Iowa State University

Granville, Sterling Schnepf, Richard and Sharon Schnepf, Iowa State University

Greenfield, Rob Mensing, Bruce and Di Mensing, Iowa State University

Grimes, Lyndsey Niebuhr, Steven and Cynthia Niebuhr, Iowa State University

Griswold, Abigail Leighton, Scott and Angela Leighton, Iowa State University

Guttenberg, Kellie Walters, Barbara Wall and Marvin Walters, Iowa State University

Harlan, Nathan Ohms, Neil and Melanie Ohms, Iowa State University

Henderson, Samantha Keast, Russell and Diane Keast, Iowa State University

Hubbard, Becky Cook, Jeff and Val Cook, University of Northern Iowa

Jesup, Chelsea Bearbower, Don and Sue Bearbower, Upper Iowa University

Jewell, Calvin Carlson, Brad and Karleen Carlson, Iowa State University

Kellerton, Claire Andresen, Lyle and Stacey Andresen, South Dakota State University

Le Mars, Rebecca Clay, John and Kimberly Clay, Iowa State University

Madrid, Spencer Larson, Mike and Kathy Toms, Iowa State University

Manchester, Mikaela Boss, Todd and Donna Boss, Iowa State University

Mapleton, Kay Drenkhahn, Daniel and Julie Drenkhahn, Briar Cliff University

Montezuma, Kendra Doty, Daniel and Shawn Doty, Iowa State University

Moulton, Madison Probasco, John and Brenda Probasco, Iowa State University

New Sharon, Alexandra Ferguson, Brett and Carrie Ferguson, Iowa State University

Palmer, Amber Butcher, Joe and Beth Butcher, University of Northern Iowa

Plainfield, Kelsey Peters, David and Barb Peters, Wartburg College

Prole, Andria Harper, Amy and Craig Harper, Simpson College

Rockwell City, Tate Klocke, Doug and Paula Klocke, Iowa State University

Runnells, Sarah Stewart, Rob and Krista Stewart, Des Moines Area Community College

Sac City, Lauren Houska, Pete and Nancy Houska, Iowa State University

Sioux Center, Micah Rensink, Mark and Deb Rensink, South Dakota State University

Solon, Rebecca Haugland, Brett and Lisa Haugland, Kirkwood Community College

Spirit Lake, Keith Byers, Mark and Karen Byers, Drake University

St. Ansgar, Hailey Meitner, Leland and Barb Meitner, Iowa State University

State Center, Celene Slifka, Darrell and Cheryl Slifka, Iowa State University

Toledo, Tara Gray, Terry and Julie Gray, Kirkwood Community College

West Liberty, Avery Meyers, Mike and Pam Meyers, Iowa State University

What Cheer, Adam Striegel, Mike and Suzette Striegel, Iowa State University

Winfield, Clayton Robison, Chris and Sharon Robison, Iowa State University

Worthington, Jenna Lansing, David and Rebecca Lansing, Coe College