The Equity First: Building Toward a Better Future and Revitalizing Learning conference hosted 767 attendees from February 28 through March 3, 2022. The annual conference of the Illinois Education and Career Success Network (formerly the Illinois 60 by 25 Network) featured 88 speakers who shared their experiences and visions for equitable postsecondary attainment.
The annual conference is presented by the Success Network’s three organizers: Advance Illinois, Education Systems Center at NIU, and Illinois Student Assistance Commission. View the full archive of session recordings and resources on the Success Network website or the YouTube Playlist.
We invite you to check out the following sessions hosted or presented by the EdSystems team:
Welcome from the Network Organizers and Opening Plenary
Aiming for Equity in Postsecondary Attainment
We kicked off the 2022 Equity First conference by hearing from members of the Network’s Student Advisory Council about how best to support students in their secondary and postsecondary goals.
Then, Lumina Foundation Vice President of Impact and Planning Courtney Brown, Ph.D. and Strategy Director for Community College Participation Shauna Davis shared recent attainment data and strategies that communities nationwide use to increase equitable postsecondary attainment, highlighting work to re-engage adults without a postsecondary degree or credential. Then, EdSystems’ State Policy & Strategy Director Emily Rusca at NIU shared how Illinois fits into this national context with emerging equity-focused targets for the State’s 60% by 2025 postsecondary attainment goal as we consider how to dismantle barriers to postsecondary access and success for all Illinoisans.
Edith Njuguna, the Network Director, shared exciting news about the Network’s new name that reflects it’s continued commitment to advancing equitable postsecondary outcomes.
Newcomers’ Orientation to the Network
An overview of the Network including current activities and future plans.
Rethinking Postsecondary to Ensure Adult Student Success
Adult students bring unique qualities to the higher education landscape: prior experience, learning, and responsibilities that need to be balanced with their learning program. Illinois college and university leaders will discuss how their institutions structure programs and supports to meet the needs of adult students and allow them to complete degrees and certificates that have value in the job market.
Equitable Practices through the Eyes of the School Counselor
Stephanie Miller-Henderson, school counselor at Chicago Public Schools, Diana Mondragón, school counselor at Dundee-Crown High School, and Nilufar Rezai, school counselor at Chicago Public Schools, shared their experiences and the Illinois School Counselor Association’s race and equity work. Glean examples of the implementation of equitable practices in academic, personal/social, and college and career readiness development and tools to ignite equitable practices in your space.
Middle Skills Pathways and Beyond: Raising the Ceiling on Programs of Study and Entry-Level Occupations
Too few Illinois workers are able to navigate the complicated skills training necessary to fill the current demand for high-quality middle-skills occupations. EdSystems Pathways Director Juan Jose Gonzalez shared preliminary research on middle-skills occupations and frameworks for regional collaboration and alignment between education and workforce systems. Then, Vice President of Workforce Pathways Thackston Lundy and VP and Dean Aarti Dhupelia introduced National Louis University’s innovative Accelerate U, an affordable, rapid training experience that comes with college credit, industry credentials, and an immediate path to a full-time job.
Understanding Critical Race Theory and Addressing Equity in Education
Director of Postsecondary Strategic Interventions at Chicago Public Schools Miguel Saucedo, PhD, provided an overview of Critical Race Theory’s history, principles, and application, then shared how CPS’s strategic populations and district-wide initiatives address equity concerns.
Using Innovative Practices to Reimagine Learning: Lessons Learned from 3 Districts
Educators from Belvidere, Kankakee, and Round Lake shared their journeys, challenges, and lessons from using innovative practices to focus on learning and remove barriers for all students in their communities. Speakers:
- Kankakee SD 111 Superintendent Genevra Walters, PhD
- Kankakee SD 111 Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Felice Hybert
- Belvidere SD 100 Assistant Superintendent David Carson
- Round Lake CUSD 116 Superintendent Donn Mendoza
- Round Lake CUSD 116 Chief Academic Officer Susan Center
- EdSystems Senior Fellow Ginger Reynolds
Piloting Career Exploration and Career Development Experiences: Resources and Insights from Illinois Communities
Two communities piloting career exploration and career development experiences through the Illinois State Board of Education shared their learnings and resources. Speakers:
- ISBE Principal Consultant Karen Lockhart
- Elmwood Park CUSD 401 Superintendent Leah Gauthier, PhD
- Elmwood Park CUSD 401 Director for Curriculum & Instruction Kimberly Ontiveros, PhD
- Elm Middle School Principal Ashley Groeneveld
- Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System EFE 110 Director Terry Stroh
From Plan to Practice: Lessons Learned from the First Year of Campus Equity Plan through the Illinois Equity in Attainment Initiative
Since 2018, 25 Illinois colleges and universities have remained active partners in the Illinois Equity in Attainment Initiative (ILEA), a cohort-based higher education reform effort designed to close racial and socioeconomic disparities in graduation outcomes. Speakers:
- Oakton Community College Equity Coordinator Danielle Terry
- Northern Illinois University Provost Beth Ingram, PhD
- Partnership for College Completion Equity Program Manager Joe Saucedo
Sustainability of Pathways: How to Create Buy-in for Dual Credit
Rockford Public Schools Executive Director of College & Career Readiness Bridget French and City Colleges of Chicago District Director of Early College Shavon Taylor-Booker explored the successes and challenges they are experiencing as they navigate dual credit classes and pathways.
Engaging Employers to Support Student Career Exploration
Employers and community partners shared how they work together to provide students with diverse and equitable career exploration opportunities. Greater Peoria Economic Development Council Director of Workforce Solutions Kari Rauh discussed CareerSpark, an interactive work and career readiness experience for students from 8th grade through high school. NorthShore University HealthSystem Vice President Samir Desai joined Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council Chair Neil Gambow and Career Partnership Manager Tana Francellno to discuss how they’re offering internships that lead to employment.
Student Voices: A Panel of the Illinois 60 by 25 Network Student Advisory Council
Members of the Illinois 60 by 25 Network Student Advisory Council shared their experiences navigating the education system as they consider their choices for life after high school.
How Illinois Higher Education Can Foster a Thriving Illinois for All
IBHE Executive Director Ginger Ostro shared how the new higher education strategic plan – A Thriving Illinois – advances the vision for a thriving ecosystem and builds from lessons learned from other key equity initiatives statewide. Plus, we heard from Partnership for College Completion Executive Director Lisa Castillo Richmond, and Chicago State University Chief of Staff Kim Tran on initiatives that deeply informed the plan’s development.
Building Bridges to Postsecondary: Transitional English Implementation
Illinois Community College Board Director for Academic Affairs Melvin Harrison covered transitional English course implementation and how the courses can build bridges for student access. Then, ROE #47 Director of Professional Learning & Educational Services Anji Garza shared resources and insights on developing or enhancing transitional English.
Regional Partnerships and Investments in Essential Skill Development
Illinois Central College Workforce Equity Project Director Dawn Koeltzow and Richland Community College Assistant Vice President of External Affairs Courtney Carson shared how their communities are embedding the development of essential employability skills in regional opportunities to support individuals to be ready for work, learning, and life.
Workshop on Strengthening Collaborative Data Capacity
This workshop provided tools to figure out what data can help answer the questions you may have about your community or work, and what to do with the information once you obtain it, presented by EdSystems State Policy & Strategy Director Emily Rusca and Data & Outcomes Manager Charlie Rosemond, with Advance Illinois Senior Policy Advisor Melissa Figueira.
Where Are We Now? Reflecting on State and Local College and Career Readiness Data
EdSystems Executive Director Jon Furr and State Policy & Strategy Director Emily Rusca reviewed state-level college and career readiness data, then highlighted Leadership Communities that have made notable progress in readiness markers, such as significant drops in college remediation course enrollment. Leadership Community presenters included:
- Illinois Central College Professor of Mathematics Elizabeth Carrico
- District 214 Director of Academic Programs & Pathways High School Megan Kelly
- Illinois Central College Vice President of Workforce and Diversity Arnitria Shaw
- Sauk Valley Community College College & Career Readiness Facilitator Janis Jones
Promising Practices & Lessons Learned: High School Youth Apprenticeships
How can we support high school students to complete a Youth Apprenticeship? Presenters shared their models and experiences: We heard from River Bend CUSD #2 Superintendent Darryl Hogue, Fulton High School Principal Robert Gosch, Chicago Public Schools Youth Apprenticeship Manager Kena D. Franklin, Career Launch Chicago Director Stephanie Gomez and City Colleges of Chicago CTE Pathways Manager Hector Gonzalez.
Integrating Social-Emotional Learning into Academic Performance Tasks: Process and Products from CPS CBE Schools
Chicago Public Schools Senior Program Manager of Competency-Based Education Damarr Smith joined EdSystems Senior Fellow Ginger Reynolds to share how competency-based education high school teachers developed and implemented academic performance tasks that integrate social-emotional learning.
Building Currency for Teacher Pathways
To help strengthen the teacher pipeline in Illinois, a growing number of postsecondary and scholarship organizations are offering new incentives for Illinois students graduating with the College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) in Education. EdSystems Pathways Director Juan Jose Gonzalez provided an overview of the CCPE and existing scholarship opportunities. Then, ISAC Director of Capacity Management Sam Nelson introduced the special consideration for CCPE students through the Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program and changes made to the MTI program, effective for the 2022–23 award year.
