2007 Iowa Test of Basic Skills

Annually the Iowa Test of Basic Skills is administered to students in grades 1 through 7. This standardized test is used to demonstrate student growth in learning and to provide, through the use of norms, a comparison of the learning of our students to a national norm group. Over time, Center Cass students have performed at a high level with above average academic achievement.

Iowa tests were given in February and scores have been returned. We have used the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) for well over 30 years to measure the growth of District 66 students. The ITBS is one of the oldest and most respected achievement tests in the country.

Core total scores for this year’s test are listed below. The Core Test measures Reading, Language and Mathematics. This year’s results by grade level are:

Grade 1 90%
Grade 2 96%
Grade 3 96%
Grade 4 97%
Grade 5 97%
Grade 6 93%
Grade 7 90%

A more detailed analysis of this year’s test administration will be available on our web site after April 10, 2007. Link: www.ccsd66.org

We are very proud of the fine test scores earned by our students and the fine preparation by our teachers.

School Report Cards

We are very proud of the 2006 Center Cass School District 66 School Report Card that was received in early, March. Although the report card is almost five months late the data contained in this year’s card validates the continuing success of District 66 students and programs. Items highlighted in the report card include:

Student Attendance Rate 96.6 %
Average Teaching Experience 13.4 years vs. State 13.0
% Teachers with Master’s or Above 71.9% vs. State 50.6%
Average Teachers Salary $59,917 vs. State $56,685
Average Administrator Salary $94,604 vs. State $100,396
Instructional Expenditure per Student (04/05) $5,323 vs. State $5,366
Operating Expenditure per Student (04/05) $8,277 vs. Sate $9,099
Overall Performance – All State Tests 90.7% vs. State 72.9%
ISAT Performance 91.5% vs. State 77.0%

All Schools made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for NCLB!!

Review the entire report card as well as individual school reports cards at our web site:
www.ccsd66.org

Funding Information

We have been inundated with many variations of funding plans to operate the State of Illinois for one more year. I just received information from the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability regarding HB/SB 750 and also about Gross Receipts Tax. These two documents are available on online to provide another explanation of both HB/SB 750 and the concept of the Gross Receipts Tax. Obviously, there is a great deal of controversy regarding Governor Blagojevich’s revenue plan. It is important for the public to understand the nuances of the many programs and plans that have been brought forth. Check these reports:

Links:
http://www.ctbaonline.org/New_Folder/Home%20Page/Fact_Sheet_GrossReceipts_3-2007.pdf

http://www.ctbaonline.org/New_Folder/Home%20Page/Fact_Sheet_750_Package_3-2007.pdf

Safety Training

We continually work to enhance and improve our preparations for emergencies whether it is an intruder, a natural catastrophe or pandemic. School districts in DuPage County are currently being trained in the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This federal system under Homeland Security Mandate #5 passed in 2004 requires the development of an integrated system to respond to emergencies and disasters. Although public schools are usually the recipient of first responder services, this model brings the school along with local government into a system of responding to emergencies as a partner. Through the leadership of the DuPage ROE, county schools are all being trained in the concepts of NIMS and the Incident Command System (ICS) so that we all may respond to crisis effectively when needed.

As local districts are trained they will then be allowed to access the integrated federal, state and local emergency communication network (MNET). This will allow better communication among all agencies. This will enhance our ability to safe guard our students. The new system should be installed during the summer of 2007.

Governor Blagojevich Proposes $1.5 Billion Increase in Education Funding

In his address to the General Assembly last Wednesday, March 7th, Governor Blagojevich proposed a record budget increase for the funding of public education in Illinois. He went well beyond the previously published budget requests for elementary and secondary education.

Priorities

Increase Foundation level funding to $6020 per student – Cost $808 million

Increase Reimbursement for Special Education Teachers to $13,000 per teacher from $8,000 – Cost $209 million

Additional Early Childhood/Pre-school offerings – Cost $69 million

Teacher and Administrator Quality – Cost $40 million

Pay down Pensions by $26 billion in cash by selling the Illinois Lottery and refinancing existing bonds

The Governor has proposed a Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) to finance this plan. This new tax would tax sales, manufacturing, construction and other business activities at a very low rate and also tax services at the rate of 1.8%. Companies with less than $1 million in revenues would be exempt from this new tax.

This new tax proposal has already created a firestorm in the Illinois business community. This budget request will precipitate one of the largest discussions and debates ever seen in Springfield.

Links to Governor Blagojevich’s budget proposal:
http://www.il.gov/education
http://www.state.il.us/budget

HPV Vaccinations

Several comments have been made regarding the release of SB 10 from committee last week. Those responding, question the need for such an intrusive measure into an area that many feel should be a personal decision based on personal beliefs and advice from their local healthcare provider. I understand and agree with that point of view. Schools do not wish to be part of this “private” decision and are concerned about being made the “monitor or policeman” for this legislature as called for in SB10 in blocking school attendance for those not in compliance with the bill. Other issues being raised include; the cost of the immunization itself and reimbursement from insurance carriers, as well as the lack of solid longitudinal data on the long term impact of this vaccine. What would happen if this vaccine actually caused a medical problem rather than prevented one? All these issues need further discussion before the passage of SB 10. The final issue to consider is whether or not there is a commercial push behind this bill by the drug manufacturer as has been noted in other states?

Find out more about SB 10 and contact your local Representatives and Senators about this bill. Link to information: www.ilga.gov

House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 16

On March 2nd the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee approved House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 16 that could eliminate all property taxes generated to fund public education. If approved by the House and Senate this resolution would allow Illinois voters to change the State constitution to say that “the State is solely responsible for financing the system of public education and property taxes may not be used to finance the system of public education”. Voters would then have to approve such a constitutional change in a statewide referendum. This resolution passed out of committee on a vote of 13-7.

This measure is sponsored by Representative Lou Lang who views this as a maneuver top force action on school funding. Fortunately passage will require 3/5s vote for approval. A referendum by statewide voters would not happen until at least 2008. This type of funding measure was employed in Michigan several years ago with disastrous results for students, schools and communities. Most educational groups oppose this resolution!

New School Vaccinations Required

The Senate Public Health Committee has approved SB 10, sponsored by Senator Halvorsen, to require that female students entering the sixth grade show evidence of having received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. This bill will bring forth the controversy already raging in several stages about the responsibility of government to legislate health issues that may infringe on parental rights and responsibilities. New regulations would go into effect in 2001 if approved and change required school physical examinations from fifth grade to 6th grade.

Practice Makes Perfect

The State Board of Education (ISBE) allows for four days to be used each year for teacher training and in-service. Last Friday, March 2nd was our last Institute Day for the year. In addition to learning about the Response to Instruction (RTI) model that is being implemented in Illinois and working on a detailed analysis of the performance of our students on the ISAT we took time to continue to refine and practice our procedures to safeguard our students while in school.

Over the course of the year, we conduct lockdown drills in each school building. The purpose of these drills is to develop a routine and procedure that allows for students and teachers to be safe in the event of an emergency. In these drills students go to a place of safety, usually their own classroom. A lockdown situation could be necessary in the event of an intruder in the building or in the occurrence of a student or staff injury that requires the hallways to be clear for emergency personnel. As part of our institute program, last week, we developed a lockdown drill involving all district staff that was conducted and directed by the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department and held at Lakeview Junior High School. This drill placed staff members in the role of students so that they could experience this through the eyes of a student. Feedback from staff members indicates that this was a productive activity and gave everyone new insight into the many factors that could play into this type of emergency situation.

Bills Filed

The deadline for filing legislative bills for this session has ended. In the Senate, 1500 new bills were filed and in the House over 5000 new bills were filed. Many of these new bills are shell bills that can be modified later. Speaker Madigan himself, filed 673 shell bills. Some bills of note that will bear watching this session include SB13 which is the 7% Assessment Freeze for Cook County. There is fear that this may be extended to other counties which could severely reduce the ability of schools and other public agencies that depend on property taxes to generate needed dollars. There are several variations of bills that increase state funding for special education services. In general, most Illinois school districts spend $3-4 for every $1 of state reimbursement for special education services.

SB750/HB750 is back again for another run. This bill began life two years ago as a plan to shift the burden for generating revenue from property taxes to income taxes. In this latest version, several subtle changes have been made to add appeal to this concept. In the new bill there are funds for higher education that has been ignored for the last few years, pension debt reduction, increased special education reimbursement and support for the Governor’s Early Childhood programs.

Several bills from various sponsors also increase gambling in Illinois to provide additional funding for roads and mass transit, school construction grants and higher education. The Governor is expected to promote the use of a Gross Receipts Tax that would be applied to goods and services. This concept is expected to be revealed during the Governor’s Budget Message on March 7th.

There are also bills proposed to protect school children on the internet by increasing training for parents, teacher and students and screening access to objectionable materials.

As you can see, there will be plenty of items to watch this year as our Legislature works with the Governor to craft a budget.