ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
PLENARY BUSINESS MEETING
February 17, 2000
Agenda Topic:
Priorities for Continuing Professional Development
Materials:
None
Staff Contact(s):
Frank Llano
Dennis Williams
Purpose of Agenda Item

To consider adoption of a fourth State Board of Education priority for continuing
professional development that is related to certification renewal.
Expected Outcome(s) of Agenda Item

Board action on the Superintendent’s recommendation.
Background Information
The new certification system in Illinois requires continued professional development as
a condition for periodic renewal of Standard and Master Certificates. Last spring, when
the legislative specifics of the certificate renewal program were being developed, the
State Board identified three areas as priorities for certificate-renewal continuing
professional development in Illinois. These three areas were:
Reading
Standards and assessment
Integrating technology into teaching and learning.
The legislation subsequently incorporated the concept of state priorities into the
certificate renewal system, requiring that a portion of the continuing professional
development engaged in by Standard and Master Certificate holders be in one or more
of the priority areas.
During this month’s meeting, the Board will consider the proposed rules for certificate
renewal prior to the official distribution of the proposal for public comment. It is
therefore an appropriate time to review the Board’s professional development priorities
as they relate to certificate renewal and amend them as necessary.
Analysis and Implications for Policy, Budget, Legislative Action and
Communications
The continuing professional development priorities selected by the State Board last year
remain appropriate in light of the Board’s continuing commitment to standards and
assessment, the identification of reading as a priority initiative, and the need to integrate
technology into all facets of teaching and learning in order to keep pace with changes in
the world around us.
However, since the adoption of those priorities, the State Board has identified four key
initiatives to which it is giving over-arching priority. One of those initiatives is
improvement in mathematics.
The Board’s focus on mathematics resulted from widespread concern about
mathematics achievement in Illinois, as evidenced in the first year’s results on the
Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). That concern was reinforced by the TIMSS
data, increased understanding about the need to restructure mathematics curricula so
that they will develop deeper knowledge about a smaller number of mathematics
concepts, and reports that teachers are often assigned to teach mathematics with
relatively little preparation.
The activities the Board is putting in place to address these issues include the
development and delivery of appropriate professional development programs. If
“mathematics” is added as a fourth priority for continuing professional development,
there will be an incentive for teachers to participate in those highly-focused programs
and others that similarly support improvement in mathematics instruction.
It therefore seems essential to add “mathematics” to the current list of certificaterenewal continuing professional development priorities.
No legislation will be required. Funding will be needed to implement the professional
development activities planned by the Board, but there are no direct budget implications
of adding to the list of continuing professional development priorities.
If the proposed addition is agreed to by the Board, it will be necessary to communicate
this decision to Illinois teachers.
Pros and Cons of Various Actions
As noted above, adding mathematics to the list of SBE priorities for continuing
professional development will reinforce the Board’s commitment to improving
mathematics in Illinois and serve as an incentive for teachers to engage in
mathematics-related professional development activities. It may also serve as an
incentive for the development of expanded professional development programs.
-2-
A potential criticism is that the proposed addition of mathematics will dilute the attention
that will be given to the three priorities already established by the Board. That may
happen -- i.e., fewer teachers may focus on reading because they could also choose
mathematics. However, mathematics is such a critical area of emphasis for the Board,
and there is such a clear need to improve teacher knowledge and skills in this area, that
it is an acceptable trade-off.
Another potential criticism is the failure to propose the addition of “early learning” to the
list of certificate-renewal continuing professional development priorities. Early Learning
is in fact a Board priority and substantial attention will be given to the development of
activities that will support the Board’s new position statement. This will include
professional development for teachers, administrators and parents. However, “early
learning” is focused on a specific age and grade range, while all of the other continuing
professional development priorities (including mathematics) are options that are
available to teachers across all ages and grades. At this time, it seems best to limit the
list to areas that maximize opportunities and options for teachers.
Finally, the addition of another continuing professional development priority at this time
may be criticized because it is being made simultaneous with the authorization to
distribute the rules for public comment. However, staff believes that this is a very
appropriate time to make the addition, since teachers will soon begin formulating and
submitting their plans. If we mean to add mathematics any time in the foreseeable
future, we should do so now to avoid having teachers amend their plans
Superintendent’s Recommendation
Add mathematics to the list of SBE priorities for continuing professional development
related to certificate renewal.
Next Steps
If the recommended action is approved, the addition of mathematics to the list of
certificate-renewal continuing professional development priorities will be made known to
Illinois teachers, teacher educators, potential providers, school district superintendents
and principals, regional superintendents, and organizations with an interest in this issue.
-3-