Illinois Advocacy - ISBE Budget hearings for FY 2011

The budget hearings are upon us once again. This means it is time for action. It is time for each of us to make our voices heard. We have an opportunity to speak to the members of the Illinois State Board of Education telling them why it is imperative to have specific dollars for gifted education in the Illinois State Board of Education budget.

This is your opportunity as parents and educators to let the Illinois State Board members know that that gifted children need the following:

Ø teachers, counselors, and administrators with training in identifying and meeting the needs of gifted learners

Ø resources matched to the advanced levels of gifted learners

Ø programs and coursework designed for gifted learners.

The dates and times for the Illinois State Board of Education Hearings are listed below. There are also specific directions regarding the sign-in process and providing copies of your testimony for the Board members.

The best advice we can give is to grab a friend and testify at the hearings. You’ll want to keep your testimony short and to the point.

We’ve listed some key ideas below.

§ Why should there be specific money for gifted learners?

o Because research is showing that gifted learners are making the least progress in our schools today. (ISBE Goal 1)

§ How can money for gifted learners be justified in a budget that needs to be tightened as much as possible?

o Because every child has a right to learn at school each day and this is difficult for gifted learners who often wait for other students to catch up to their level of understanding or who spend their time assisting struggling classmates rather than learning new content themselves. (ISBE Goal 1)

§ How will money allocated for gifted education be used?

o It will be used to continue the state’s efforts to train teachers, administraotrs, and counselors through the newly developed Gifted Education Seminar. (ISBE Goal 2)

o It will be used to assist districts in designing programs and coursework for gifted learners. (ISBE Goal 1 &2)

§ What budget is being requested?

o The ISBE Gifted Advisory Committee will submit a budget for the Board

We hope everyone understands that one or two voices won’t make a difference in today’s economy. It will take many voices working together for us to be heard. In today’s economy we are competing for dollars in a budget that is strained. We understand the situation and will face each Illinois State Board member with confidence and say, “Our children deserve to learn each day at school. Our teachers, administrators, and counselors deserve to have the training and the tools to understand, work with, and teach gifted learners.”

It will take a commitment from each of us to take time from busy schedules to testify, each of us saying, “This is the year I will do something that makes the difference.”

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Illinois State Board of Education announces

FY 2011 Budget Hearings

The Illinois State Board of Education’s Finance and Audit Committee will host a series of hearings on the FY 2011 Budget over the next several months. The public is invited to attend. Please check back to the ISBE calendar & meetings website for updates to the following schedule of hearings: http://isbe.net/calendar/default.htm.

Those wishing to participate in these hearings may sign-in upon arrival at each location.

Please provide 15 copies of written testimony.

Please provide cost estimates (including a detailed budget) for programs being discussed.

Please address how proposed programs relate to the Board’s Strategic Plan Goals.

GOAL 1: Every student will demonstrate academic achievement and be prepared for success after high school.

GOAL 2: Every student will be supported by highly prepared and effective teachers and school leaders.

GOAL 3: Every school will offer a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.

FY 2011 Budget Hearings

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 – 5 to 7 p.m. – Champaign – Champaign Public Library, Robeson Pavilion Room C, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign

Thursday, September 24, 2009 – 4 to 6 p.m. – Mt. Vernon—Jefferson County Regional Office of Education, 1714 Broadway Street, Mt. Vernon

Thursday, October 1, 2009 – 4 to 6 p.m. – DeKalb – DeKalb County Regional Office of Education, 2500 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb

Monday, October 19, 2009 – 4 to 6 p.m. – Edwards, IL - Peoria County – Two Rivers Professional Development Center, 10112 W. Dubois Road, Edwards

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Chicago – James R. Thompson Center, Room 16-503, 100 W. Randolph, Chicago

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 – 1 to 3 p.m. – Springfield – Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield

Thursday, November 5, 2009 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Wheeling – Board Room, CCSD #21, 999 W. Dundee Rd., Wheeling (Entry from East side of building only.)

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Mundelein – Lincoln School Multipurpose Room, Mundelein SD #75, 200 West Maple, Mundelein

The Finance and Audit Committee FY 2011 Budget Hearings will be accessible to persons with disabilities. Persons planning to attend who need special accommodations should contact the Board office no later than the day before the meeting they wish to attend. Contact the Superintendent's office at the State Board of Education, Phone: 217-782-2221; TTY/TDD: 217-782-1900; Fax: 217-785-3972

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If you have questions, you may contact the IAGC Advocacy Committee Co-chairs:

~ Cathy Greene: greenecab@gmail.com

~ Susan Rhodes: srhodes@springfield.k12.il.us