New Law Will Improve Quality of Illinois' Charter Schools  

and Empower Parents with More Choice  

   

CHICAGO - July 20, 2011. As part of his agenda to give Illinois' children more opportunities for a quality education in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today announced the signing of legislation that will increase school choice for parents. Senate Bill 79 establishes an independent charter school commission that is dedicated to school reform and has the power to authorize and regulate charter schools throughout the state.  

   

Currently, 13,000 children in Illinois are on waiting lists for charter schools, which can only be created when authorized by school districts and certified by the Illinois State Board of Education. The new State Charter School Commission will provide an alternative path to charter school creation and improve the quality of charter schools by setting accountability and outcome standards.   

   

"I am committed to expanding choices for a quality education for every child in Illinois," said Governor Quinn. "Parents shouldn't be limited by zip codes when choosing a school for their children. By creating an accountable body dedicated to charter schools, we are giving communities another way to empower parents with more choices for their child's education."  

   

Sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood), Senate Bill 79 allows the State Charter School Commission to hear and decide all appeals to charter school applications. The Illinois Board of Education will appoint the nine members of the commission from a slate of candidates proposed by the Governor. The commission will be funded through fees to charter schools which are authorized by the commission.  

   

Governor Quinn also announced the signing of House Bill 2401, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R- Rock Falls) and Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), which clarifies Illinois law to ensure that each re-enrollment charter school campus has the option to enter the collective bargaining process as its own entity.   

   

Charter schools are just one part of Governor Quinn's broad agenda to give children more options for a great education in Illinois. In recent months, Governor Quinn signed legislation to pave the way for a longer school day and longer school year in Illinois, and establish first-ever performance standards for teachers. Senate Bill 79 goes into effect immediately and House Bill 2401 takes effect Jan. 1, 2012.  

 

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SPRING ARBOR, MI (07/21/2011)(readMedia)-- Spring Arbor University is pleased to announce students from the area who are on the Spring 2011 Academic Honors List. The Academic Honors List recognizes full-time students who have received a grade point average of 3.7 or higher for the semester. Part-time students must receive a 3.7 GPA for the semester and carry a cumulative 3.7 GPA.

Spring Arbor University is a private, four-year Christian liberal arts university located eight miles west of Jackson, Mich. With total enrollment around 4,200, the University is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church of North America and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Students from the area are listed below with their full name, hometown, class, major and parents (if supplied by student):

Zachary Sandry, of Bettendorf, a Junior majoring in Youth Ministry. Son of William and Karla Sandry

Law Supports Creation of Innovative Partnership School in Aurora to Advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education

AURORA - July 13, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will advance STEM learning in Illinois by allowing the creation of an innovative school that will offer specialized education opportunities. Senate Bill 621 supports the creation of a math and science partnership school operated by Aurora's four school districts and Aurora University on campus. Joined by local middle school students attending summer science camp, Governor Quinn called for increased STEM learning opportunities in Illinois as a way to prepare students for 21st century jobs. 

"We want our children to be prepared to compete for the jobs of today and tomorrow," said Governor Quinn. "This innovative school will increase learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and give students more opportunities to succeed."

Sponsored by Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) and Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego), Senate Bill 621 authorizes Aurora University (AU) and its four partner school districts ? West Aurora, East Aurora, Indian Prairie and Oswego ? to jointly operate a STEM school on the AU campus. When fully operational, the partnership school will serve more than 400 third through eighth grade students who have demonstrated a proficiency in mathematics and science. The school will also train teachers who return to their home school districts as leaders in mathematics and science education.

"By signing this legislation, Governor Quinn is leading the way to make STEM learning more available for children in Illinois," said Aurora University President Rebecca L. Sherrick.

In addition to nurturing students talented in mathematics and science, the partnership school will provide access to cutting-edge STEM education methods. Best practices and research results will be shared to improve mathematics and science education throughout the community.

"This is an important step to improving student achievement and increasing their interest in school," said state Sen. Holmes, who introduced the bill in the Senate. "We owe it to our students to ensure that they aren't being shortchanged during these tough economic times. It's essential that we give them the tools needed to become future leaders in Illinois."

"This has truly been a collaborative effort with one goal in mind - to provide a partnership school with area school districts at Aurora University placing an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics - something that we need to focus on in our state," said state Rep. Cross.

The university will begin to raise private funding for the partnership school immediately and estimates the cost to be $15 million. This new law passed both the Illinois House and Senate with unanimous support and takes effect Jan. 1, 2012.

The partnership school is the cornerstone of the Mathematics and Science Education Center of Aurora University, which was launched by the university's Institute for Collaboration in 2009 to address the deficiencies in STEM education in the United States. The center's programs also include content-based bachelor's and master's degrees, professional workshops and institutes for teachers, and after-school and summer studies programs for students.

"Because it engages learners of all ages, we believe the STEM partnership school holds great potential as a groundbreaking model for similar communities throughout the state and nation," said Sherry Eagle, Executive Director of the Institute for Collaboration of Aurora University, which is leading the project.

More information about this partnership school is available at www.aurora.edu/institute.

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July 26                                   
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

August 5                                
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

August 23                              
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

September 2                          
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

September 27                        
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

October 5                              
Aquatic, Forest and Roadside Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 9/28/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

October 7                              
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

October 25                            
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

October 27                            
Mosquito & Public Health Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 10/20/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am 

November 4                           
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

November 9                           
Ornamental & Turf Applicators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/2/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 1:30pm-4pm 

November 16                         
Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management CIC, $35 if registered by 11/9/11, after that
$45, at the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am 

November 29                         
Fumigation CIC, $35 if registered by 11/22/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension Office,
9am-11:30am 

December 2                           
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

December 7                           
Pest Control Operators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/30/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension
Office, 9am-11:30am

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/