Mark your calendars for next year’s ISBE Career Connections Conference! A pre-conference session will be offered June 17, 2025, and the full-day conference will be held June 18, 2025. A call for proposals and more information will be coming soon.

ISBE awarded $7.4 million in Career and Technical Education Education Career Pathway Grants to 18 entities serving 39 school districts. okt.to/HOujZw

Did you know IL public schools must complete a Public School Carbon-Free Assessment to qualify for state grants under Section 5-40 of the School Construction Law? This assessment is offered at no cost through Ameren Illinois and ComEd. Learn more: okt.to/jA6lWD

Break a leg, Destinee ⚾ 🎤 Tune in TONIGHT at 6:28 p.m. and cheer her on if you can! Tri-Valley Schools Chicago White Sox okt.to/bxT1We

Are you seeking to fill a content-specific middle grade position at your school? You might already have a qualified teacher. View what is needed here: okt.to/62gKdQ

#OutAndAboutWithISBE Shahe Bagdasarian Tony Sanders okt.to/yMAn5X

By a joint resolution approved Dec. 18, 2001, Congress designated September 11 as Patriot Day. Later, on April 21, 2009, Congress passed Public Law 111-13, requesting that September 11 be observed each year as our “National Day of Service and Remembrance.”

Join your Title I director colleagues for two days of informative sessions led by ISBE and district practitioners. We will have consultants available to provide individual technical assistance. For more information, visit the IATD registration page at okt.to/gfJD3I

If your school participates in the National School Lunch Program, you need to verify Household Eligibility Applications for a small percentage of households each school year. This training okt.to/0VWm5f will explain how! It will be followed by a Q&A session.

📢 University of Illinois Extension is offering FREE school nutrition courses starting TOMORROW with Illinois Department of Public Health approved Serve It Safely Food Handler Training 2-4:30 p.m. Participants earn a 3-year certificate. 📜 Register here: okt.to/0RwGp6

Educators, parents, students, and community orgs: You are all invited to submit budget requests for fiscal year 2026. Your input will provide the basis for our budget recommendation to Governor JB Pritzker and lawmakers in 2025. Learn more on our Budget webpage, okt.to/1xT9lU.

We recently finalized a contract with ACT to provide assessments in ELA, math, and science in Grades 9, 10 & 11. In some ways, this change is a significant shift, but in other ways, it’s relatively minor. Find out why in Tony Sanders's latest column okt.to/Ndh29W

Want to positively impact public education in Illinois like Mike? Check out our open positions! okt.to/8ORJj3

Reminder: Capital Needs Assessment Surveys are due to [email protected] by Sept. 13 📧 okt.to/ZBvdl9

Registration is now open for FREE school nutrition courses offered by University of Illinois: Food Handler certification, Culinary Math, and a Food Allergies safety course. To register, visit the U of I Extension ABCs of School Nutrition webpage. okt.to/STvBl0

Submit your fiscal year 2026 budget requests for public education at okt.to/txhFPU. You're also invited to attend one of our hearings on Oct. 8, 10, and 28. okt.to/ZgYIhz

Do you have high school students interested in science, technology or engineering? Take them on a field trip to Illinois State to see and hear from these YouTubers. Get the deets: okt.to/gytA4l

Whether you're a newbie or just looking to learn more, this CTE PD series is for you! The next two are online and will address using various forms of assessments  in your classroom. Register here: okt.to/yVwWd9

This grant is a valuable resource for organizations looking to create after-school programs that foster academic success and encourage positive behaviors in youth. ROEs, ISCs, community organizations and Indian tribes should apply by Oct. 7. Learn more: okt.to/EtfaCK.

Does your school need funds for maintenance or upkeep? $48.4 million is available in SMPG -- state matching grants that provide up to $50,000 for maintenance or upkeep of educational buildings. Your board's approval is required. Details at SMPG webpage okt.to/3p4zvh.