Join ISBE for an interactive professional learning workshop focused on moving beyond assessment scores to a deeper understanding of what student performance reveals about learning expectations and opportunities to learn. Rather than focusing solely on numerical results from the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) and Illinois Science Assessment (ISA), participants will explore how Illinois' Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) can help educators interpret assessment results in terms of the knowledge, skills, and practices students demonstrate at each performance level. Developed by Illinois educators and aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards, the PLDs can serve as a bridge between statewide assessment results and classroom instruction. Through guided activities and collaborative discussion, participants will examine how PLDs can be used alongside classroom assignments and tasks, local assessments, and other sources of student learning to build a more comprehensive understanding of student achievement and the instructional landscape that helped shape that achievement. The workshop will emphasize the role of summative assessment as one source of evidence within a coherent system of standards, curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Participants will learn how to interpret IAR and ISA results to reflect on the learning opportunities that students experienced, identify strengths and gaps in instructional systems, and consider how curriculum, instruction, and supports can be refined to better meet the needs of future students. To maximize impact, districts and schools are encouraged to send educators who are not only eager to learn but also well-positioned to share their learning with colleagues, helping build a common understanding of how PLDs can inform practice across classrooms. Teams are encouraged to bring a minimum of two years of IAR and ISA reports to support hands-on exploration and discussion. Participants will leave with practical strategies for using PLDs and assessment evidence to foster meaningful conversations about student learning, instructional improvement, and alignment to grade-level expectations. Multiple locations will be offered, but the materials presented will be the same across all sessions.  A light breakfast and lunch will be provided to attendees. Registration closes 9/18/26 at 4:00 p.m. edCount Presenters: Dr. Melissa Fincher  &  Bill Herrera

This is a virtual, make-and-take style session where you'll learn the basics of Sheets (Google’s version of Excel) for tracking, graphing, and easily creating user-friendly charts to monitor progress on progress monitoring and/or IEP goals. While the focus will be on digital tracking and creating visuals that make trends easy to share with students and their caregivers, the course will also cover printable data-tracking forms. This is for Excel beginners or anyone looking to streamline their data collection. Participants are also welcome to bring student goals to input with guidance. Your facilitator, Amy Magers, began her career as a school psychologist and has served students in both small, rural schools as well as a large urban school district in Illinois. Amy has served as a Special Education Administrator, so her educational focus is on meaningful educational evaluations, legal issues in Special Education, and ensuring students have access to a Free Appropriate Public Education. Always a school psychologist, she also has interests in creating robust MTSS systems and data literacy.  A virtual link will be sent prior to the event date.   Registration closes 9/18/26 at 4:00 p.m.

Dr. Madison Fritsche of West County Psychological Associates will present this virtual session on Autism in Girls. Autism in girls is frequently overlooked or identified later because many girls do not fit the traditional picture of autism. This presentation explores how autism may present differently in girls, including masking, internalizing behaviors, social imitation, friendship challenges, less obvious restricted interests, sensory differences, and emotional regulation. Participants will learn to look beyond surface-level functioning, recognize patterns that may otherwise be missed, and identify practical ways to better support autistic girls within educational settings. Dr. Fritsche is a Ph.D. and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist with extensive experience in public school systems. She specializes in comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations for children and adolescents, focusing on ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and behavioral challenges. This session is designed for school social workers and student support staff. Each attendee must log in with their own device. A virtual link and other necessary session materials will be shared with registrants ahead of time. It is recommended that participants print a copy of the material ahead of time and follow along using paper and pencil during the presentation. Registration closes October 5, 2026, at 10:00am. CEU's are available.

This practical, interactive virtual training equips paraprofessionals with strategies to recognize early signs of escalation, understand behavior as communication, and respond calmly and effectively to challenging situations. Participants will explore the stages of escalation, discuss supportive communication, learn what to do—and what to avoid—during escalating situations, and develop strategies for maintaining their own regulation while supporting student safety, dignity, and connection.  A virtual link will be sent prior to the event date. Each attendee should use their own device. Registration closes October 5, 2026 at 10:00 am.

What gets teenagers to actually care about learning? This roundtable-style session is a space to share what’s working, troubleshoot what’s not, and learn from one another. We’ll explore research-backed strategies for increasing motivation, engagement, and buy-in in secondary classrooms while tapping into the collective experience and ideas of the educators in the room. Come ready to share, problem-solve, and leave with new ideas to try. Registration for this event closes 10/22 at 4:00 p.m.

Do your students with difficulties in reading, math, or writing also struggle to stay on task, complete work, find their supplies, and turn in homework, even when it's complete? Learn about the overlap between Executive Functioning skills and learning disabilities in this session, which walks participants through supporting the student's executive functioning skills, from writing their IEP goal to strategies for implementing Specially Designed Instruction for related skills. The session will highlight specific strategies for individual students, as well as modifications for teaching these skills in whole or small groups. Presenter: Laura Arnold, M.A., CCC-SLP/L Laura Arnold is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Region 6 Specialist for the SLD Support Project with over 15 years of experience dedicated to supporting diverse learners. Expert in screening, diagnosing, and designing evidence-based interventions, Laura bridges clinical expertise with educational leadership. Recently, she co-developed the project's Science of Learning Microcredential and leads targeted professional development for educators and paraprofessionals alike. Her work is anchored in the belief that equipping educators with evidence-based practices is the key to unlocking optimal outcomes for students of all abilities. Registration closes 10/24/26 at 4:00 p.m.

Parents who work in education often carry two full-time roles: supporting students all day and caring for their own families at home. Over time, this constant giving creates a burnout loop: pushing through exhaustion, feeling guilty for being depleted, and continuing to overextend because it feels like the only option. In this session, participants will learn how to break that loop through three key shifts: awareness, interruption, and identity. Attendees will hear insights and real-world reflections from Erin Shook, a veteran educator and mom of four who has lived this cycle firsthand and supports other educator parents in creating more sustainable ways to work and live.   A virtual link will be shared with you prior to the event. Registration for this event closes Friday, November 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Join our SEL Coaches from ROE 40, Erin Shook and Kevin McNicholas, for a full day of learning focused on two important aspects of supporting today’s adolescents: understanding the developing teenage brain and building resilience. The Teenage Brain: Under Construction: Teenagers aren’t just “big kids”; their brains are still under construction. In this session, we’ll explore what makes the developing teenage brain unique, the challenges that come with adolescence, and what research tells us about how teens learn, regulate, connect, and make decisions. Participants will leave with practical ways to create classrooms and schools that better support the developing teenage brain. A Closer Look at Resilience: We have heard a lot about trauma and its effects on our students and families over the years. During this session, Kevin McNicholas, SEL & Mental Health Coach for ROE 40, will take a deeper look at resiliency—what it really means, how it develops, and how we can help students and families build the skills needed to navigate adversity and thrive. Attendees will have time for lunch on their own. Registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event date.

ISBE Regional Financial Consultant Sarah Healy will facilitate this free roundtable session.  This session supports both veteran and novice bookkeepers. Rationale for the roundtable: Share best practices and problem-solving strategies across districts Support newer bookkeepers transitioning into these critical roles Support veteran bookkeepers in improving consistency in financial operations and compliance procedures Reduce isolation and build professional relationships Stay current on regulatory changes and new software/systems Strengthen collective knowledge to benefit all our districts Help support each other regardless of your bookkeeping software systems Potential Topics: State reporting requirements(procedures, timelines, deadlines) Audit review and best practices FOIA requests and records retention Software tips, tricks, and troubleshooting for vendor management Payroll and benefits administration tools Budget development timelines and quarterly changes Budget-to-actual reports for your Supt. Tax responsibilities and W2s Record retention guidelines Salary schedule implementation Grant management and tracking Multi-year forecasting strategies 6% bumps and other credible/non-credible earnings Section 125 Plans and other tax benefit plans CPPRT allocation requirements Capitalization thresholds