Thank you to Dr. Ronda Dawson and Kirsten Parr of Illinois State Board of Education for presenting alongside me today at the ECS | Education Commission of the States annual forum! We presented on the success of our Teacher Vacancy Grant pilot put forward by Governor JB Pritzker.

Illinois' success at tackling the teacher shortage is setting a great example for other states. Yesterday, ISBE leaders Tony Sanders, Dr. Ronda Dawson, and Kirsten A. Parr presented our most innovative policies to a national audience at ECS | Education Commission of the States of the States.

.Tony Sanders gave ECS | Education Commission of the States a Ted Talk -- about his late dad, Ted Sanders. Ted was supt of education in 3 states, Deputy Sec. of Ed in the 1st Bush administration, and pres. of ECS 2000-04. As he spoke, one of Ted's friends FaceTimed his mom so she could watch.

.Illinois State Board of Education’s release of the Children’s Adversity Index marks an important step in Illinois’ ongoing efforts to address childhood trauma through schools and support the mental health and well-being of children and students across the state. bit.ly/3GOccSX  #wholechild

Illinois unveils new tool to track childhood trauma | WCIA.com wcia.com/news/state-new…

Trump's administration is not only openly flouting the law, but they're also abandoning their responsibility to our students. Today, I'm joining governors across the nation calling upon Secretary Linda McMahon to release $6.8B the administration is withholding from schools and students.

msn.com/en-us/health/o…

⁦Illinois State Board of Education⁩ ⁦Tony Sanders⁩ capitolcitynow.com/news/248842-st…

College still pays off, but wage gaps persist in Illinois, study finds - WBEZ Chicago wbez.org/education/2025…

Weekly message with important updates on all things federal… funding, litigation, and ask to engage! link.isbe.net/m/1/90208844/0…

Governor Pritzker signs legislation to implement universal mental health screenings in Illinois schools x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Today, I'm proud to sign into law legislation that provides universal mental health screenings for children in Illinois public schools.   If kids are struggling with anxiety or depression — it’s our duty to ensure they have the support they need to get the help they deserve.

Dignitaries including Tony Sanders spoke at the signing of a new law making IL the 1st state offering mental health screenings for school children. Student Abhinav Anne welcomed this concept. “It shouldn’t take reaching the edge for someone to step in,” Abhinav said.

I was honored to join Governor JB Pritzker today as he signed into law a bill requiring mental health screenings for Illinois students. ISBE will be fully prepared to support districts with tools and training. Illinois cares about the mental health of our youth!

.@govpritzker signed legislation Thursday to begin offering annual mental and behavioral health screenings in Illinois schools. Via Camryn Cutinello thedailyline.com/pritzker-signs…

Pritzker signs bill for universal mental health screenings in Illinois schools wcia.com/news/illinois-…

To my IASA colleagues, today we released the EBF calculations for all districts for FY26. Under Governor JB Pritzker we have increased funding by $2.1B! isbe.net/Lists/News/New…

I’ve debated whether to share. Last month at the ECS | Education Commission of the States meeting, I was asked to give an “Ed Talk” to pay tribute to my father who had retired as president of ECS in 2005. I have decided to share to honor his legacy in education. youtu.be/nxJzytt29lQ?fe…

Check out today's Crain's Chicago Business for an op-ed co-written by our own Tony Sanders with leaders of Illinois Workforce & Education Research Collaborative, UChicago Urban Education Institute, ISAC, and Illinois Department of Employment Security 📰✍️okt.to/nAISEt

Federal funding, state funding, and more in this weekly message! link.isbe.net/m/1/90208844/0…