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

Annually, all district homeless liaisons are required to attend a refresher training on the McKinney-Vento Act and the duties of the district homeless liaisons.  This training satisfies that compliance requirement.  Topics will include review of the McKinney-Vento Act, identification and eligibility, what to look for in existing students, student rights, identification of barriers and how to remove those barriers, school of origin, transportation, set-aside funds and allowable costs, dispute process, migrant education, resources, forms, and a question/answer period.

In addition, identifying homeless students continues to be a challenge for all of us, and we know the critical role front office staff plays in this process.  As such, I invite each of you to bring one member of your front office staff from each building to the training.  Please take advantage of this.