Insights

Updates and thought leadership from the EdSystems team. For more, check out our events and resources.

Planting Seeds for Success: Middle School Career Exploration

Many people assume middle school students are too young for career exploration, but by encouraging self-discovery and exploring real-world challenges, we can help these young people pursue their futures. Here are key considerations for work-based learning in middle school.

Executive Director Kyle Westbrook, PhD Joins the Thrive Leaders Network

Supported by The Kresge Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the network connects national education leaders dedicated to equity and student success. This recognition underscores Dr. Westbrook’s exceptional leadership in advancing education systems and policies.

Illinois Students on PaCE to Thrive

The Illinois Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) framework, which empowers districts and students by guiding quality college and career advising and development, is a model for the nation. Here’s why.

The Illinois Math Badging Initiative Micro-Internship Model

EdSystems, in collaboration with XQ Institute, conducted a six-week virtual micro-internship for high school students, focusing on real-world applications of mathematical concepts. Learn how this model incorporates the development of essential employability skills, including research abilities and effective communication, and can be applied to a variety of settings.

Community-Driven Learning: A Statewide Work-Based Learning Initiative

Designing and implementing high-quality work-based learning experiences is challenging, and communities often struggle to find support. The Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network provides a model for peer collaboration by fostering a supportive environment for sharing resources and insights.

Illinois Math Badging Initiative: A Journey Toward Inclusive Education

What if there was a way to make math education more inclusive, engaging, and responsive to students’ needs? The Illinois Math Badging Initiative is about improving math outcomes while engaging and empowering students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of contexts. Check out our lessons learned in our first two years.

Why Do We Need a Longitudinal Data System?

Why does the State of Illinois need a longitudinal data system? Or to put it more precisely, how does longitudinal data help answer key policy questions? We address these questions in this third post of our Making the Case for the ILDS blog series.

High-Quality Criteria for College and Career Pathways Released for Public Comment

Given the widespread embrace of College and Career Pathway Endorsements across Illinois, EdSystems has developed a quality criteria framework in partnership with diverse practitioners across the state aimed at fostering innovation, equity, and continuous improvement. The framework and its six components are open for public comment through May 27.

What Is in the ILDS? What Questions Can It Answer?

Understanding the potential of Illinois’ Longitudinal Data System (ILDS) to answer complex policy questions can help improve Illinois’ early childhood, education, and workforce systems and outcomes. This is the second post of our Making the Case for the ILDS blog series.

Highlights from Governor Pritzker’s Proposed Budget

Governor JB Pritzker presented his proposed 2024–25 budget on February 21, which maintains largely stable funding for K-12 and higher education with notable increases for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the Monetary Award Program (MAP), building on the past several years of progress and extending several impactful initiatives.

Community Models for Essential Skill Development

Through the scaling of the GPEAK badging system, a growing number of communities are preparing students for productive lives and careers by developing innovative training programs aligned to Illinois’ essential employability competencies.

New Success Network Policy Committee Memo Outlines Transportation-Related Barriers to Work-Based Learning Access

The Success Network Policy Committee convened a workgroup to explore work-based learning transportation challenges and is now publishing the first of two memos, which shed light on the significant transportation-related barriers students face in accessing work-based learning opportunities. This resource identifies and analyzes challenges impacting in-school youth at the school district, local, and system levels.

Illinois Education and Career Success Network: 2023 In Review

In 2023, the Illinois Education and Career Success Network continued to expand its reach and impact through thoughtful convenings, growing the Network, engagement with students, new supports and funding opportunities for Leadership Communities, re-launching the data dashboard, and exploring policy and practice with the Policy Committee.

Navigating Progress: College and Career Readiness in 2023

We dive into the latest release of the Illinois Report Card, revealing dynamic shifts in CTE outcomes and a wave of opportunity in dual credit enrollment. We share our perspective on the data shaping the future of college and career readiness for Illinois students.

Putting Principles Into Practice: The Launch of Our Youth Apprenticeship Program

At EdSystems, our commitment to advancing racial equity and preparing more learners for productive lives extends beyond providing guidance; it’s about embodying the principles we advocate. We recognize the importance of leading by example, which is why the launch of our Youth Apprenticeship program is more than just a new initiative—it’s a testament to our dedication to practicing what we preach.

Social Capital Is the Fundamental Outcome of Work-Based Learning

The key outcome of work-based learning is social capital, and building this valuable asset starts with being able to guarantee this outcome for all students. As a determinant factor in social mobility and overcoming socioeconomic barriers, social capital prepares students for their futures.

Math Badging Receives Illinois Educators’ Seal of Approval

The Illinois Math Badging Initiative (IMBI) is piloting an alternative credentialing in math that allows for equitable student outcomes and certifies student learning through a variety of methods. Teach Plus Illinois assembled a group of math educators to understand how IMBI will alter the delivery of math and to provide suggestions to schools for supporting teachers.

EdSystems Releases an Initial Evaluation of Transitional Math Implementation in Illinois

In an era where mathematics forms the backbone of our society, Illinois has taken a significant step toward enhancing college readiness through the implementation of transitional math. Now, EdSystems is releasing a study conducted by researchers from Northern Illinois University which investigates initial implementation, along with a Quick Takes which highlights key findings.

Assessing the Utilization of the Illinois Model Program of Study Guides

How are the Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides being utilized statewide by community colleges and their high school partners? Are the guides useful in helping regions design high-quality college and career pathways? What additional information and support do regions need to better align with the guides? EdSystems and the Illinois Community College Board seek to answer those questions through our new State of Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides: Utilization Report.

Exponential Growth: New Data and Draft Rules Released for College and Career Pathway Endorsements

The number of school districts implementing College & Career Pathway Endorsements is increasing exponentially. To support statewide scaling, the Illinois State Board of Education has drafted a set of administrative rules that will soon be open for public comment. In this post, we examine the growth of the endorsement system and share our review of the pending rules, which point to a significant level of momentum in Illinois regarding college and career pathways.

Unlocking Potential: Empowering Young Women in Manufacturing

Manufacturing has long been a male-dominated field, but the future of this industry depends on inclusivity and fresh perspectives. We gathered insights from manufacturing experts on supporting young women in manufacturing pathways. This collaborative effort has resulted in a resource that offers practical guidance for students at any stage of their career journey.

Launch-ing Into Policy Innovation for Postsecondary Access and Success

Alongside state and local leaders from across Illinois, we have been engaging in a design thinking process as innovation cohort participants of the Launch initiative. Through this process, we are working to identify systems-level barriers to equitable access and outcomes and develop innovative solutions for pressing challenges in postsecondary transitions and success.

College and Career Readiness Budget and Legislative Highlights

Recent wins for Illinois college and career readiness efforts include legislation to improve the Illinois Articulation Initiative for education pathways, plus budget increases for the evidence-based funding formula, CTE, dual credit, student financial aid, and a teacher pipeline pilot.

Scaling Accelerated IT Pathways: Lessons Learned in Year One

To support the scaling of high-quality IT pathways in response to employer demand, collaborators in our Accelerated Model Pathways for Information Technology initiative designed a three-tier model giving students the potential to earn 30+ early college credits. Check out our blueprint, what we’ve learned, and how we are engaging student voices in the process.

Kyle Westbrook Named Executive Director of EdSystems

Education Systems Center at NIU is pleased to announce the appointment of Kyle Westbrook as its new executive director. Kyle brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to educational equity, making him an excellent fit for the organization’s mission.

Executive Director Transition Announcement

Education Systems Center at NIU (EdSystems) today announces that Founder and Executive Director Jonathan Furr will be transitioning from his role as of June 2023 after nearly eleven years of building and leading the organization. Jon will be pursuing new professional opportunities, which he will share in the coming weeks.

IMA, EdSystems Launch New Scholarship to Strengthen Manufacturing Talent Pipeline

For the first time, the Illinois Manufacturers’​ Association Education Foundation, in partnership with EdSystems, is offering a scholarship to Illinois students who graduate high school having earned the College and Career Pathway Endorsement in Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades. The scholarship application is now open!

What Do the New Policies around Dual Credit Mean?

Over the past few months, the Illinois Community College Board and Higher Learning Commission each published sets of rules for public feedback that will shape dual credit implementation in Illinois. How? Read our thoughts and public comment to ICCB:

Introducing Launch: Equitable and Accelerated Pathways for All

EdSystems is excited to announce our selection as one of 11 states participating in Launch: Equitable & Accelerated Pathways for All. Launch is a national college and career pathways initiative that strives for every learner to have access to and succeed in high-quality and equitable pathways.

Designing Interactive, Youth- and Adult-Centered Career Exploration Experiences

As organizations return to hosting in-person events, how do we acknowledge and design around the challenges communities have faced in recent years while inspiring more people of all ages to pursue high-quality occupations in in-demand fields? EdSystems worked with three Illinois communities to address that question.

Quick Takes from the SEPI Student Voices Evaluation

Quick Takes is based on results from the Student Voices Evaluation of Scaling Education Pathways in Illinois (SEPI), released in October 2022, which focuses on the perspective of students participating in education pathways.

Advancing Racial Equity: Year Two Review

We seek to make advancing racial equity our custom, our habit — a central organizing principle that becomes part of every EdSystems internal practice and every project in our portfolio. Learn how we’ve worked to model action-orientated racial equity this past year.

EdSystems Releases 6 New Analyses of Middle-Skills Pathways in Chicago

As part of the Middle Skills Pathways in Chicago project, we’re releasing six new analyses for the sectors of Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources; Architecture, Construction, & Energy; Arts & Communications; Culinary & Hospitality; Finance & Business Services; and Human & Public Services.

Supporting Illinois Competency-Based Education Pilot Schools

At its August meeting, the Illinois State Board of Education extended the CBE pilot for three more years. EdSystems and its partners in the new Future of Learning Coalition urge ISBE to extend supports to both guide and evaluate the pilot sites.

I-WIN Blog Archive

An archive of work-based learning blog posts from the Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network.

New PWR Act Website Serves as Resource Hub for Four Key Strategies

The redesigned site features key resources, guidance and implementation supports, and exemplars for the PWR Act’s four aligned strategies: the Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) Framework, College and Career Pathway Endorsements, Transitional Instruction, and Competency-Based Education Pilot.

Governor Signs HB3296/Public Act 102-0917, Advancing on PWR Act

Governor Pritzker signed Public Act 102-0917 (HB3296) into law on May 27, 2022. HB3296 builds from the 2016 Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) Act and many years of dedicated work by communities statewide to develop and implement high-quality college and career pathways systems that ensure students are prepared for whatever comes after high school. 

Shifting the Narrative Student Voice Accomplishments

Chicago Public Schools’ CBE pilots has released “Shifting Chicago Narratives,” a four-part series of student-produced videos aimed at shifting the narrative from a focus on all that students lost through the pandemic to what they gained.

Equity First Conference Hosts 767 Attendees

On February 28–March 3, 2022, the Illinois Education and Career Success Network delivered high-quality content to a record-setting attendance of 767 educators, administrators, policymakers, students, and leaders.

Listening to Students and Shifting the Narrative

An exciting initiative underway in Chicago Public Schools’ Competency-Based Education schools is engaging students through multi-media platforms to tell their stories and shift the narrative on pandemic experiences.

Advancing Racial Equity: Year One Review

What has advancing racial equity tangibly meant this last year? While we are still listening, learning, and reflecting, we share an overview of our nascent efforts to serve Black and Latinx students in Illinois.

What the Edsystems Team Is Learning through Student Engagement

Through the launch of the Illinois 60 by 25 Network Student Advisory Council, the EdSystems team is learning first-hand the importance of lifting up student voices as we design and refine resources and policies that support student success.

An Initial Analysis of Scaling Education Pathways in Illinois

An analysis of the initial implementation of the Scaling Education Pathways in Illinois initiative, with input from the first cohort of collaboratives. It was undertaken to understand how the components of the education pathway were being executed in practice and to collect promising practices and lessons learned.

I-WIN Event Archive

An archive of past convenings of the Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network.