To support actionable policy development for high-impact college and career readiness strategies, EdSystems is participating in a cross-state community of practice.
To support the scaling of College and Career Pathway Endorsements across Illinois, EdSystems is announcing a new quality criteria framework developed in partnership with diverse practitioners across the state, which aims to foster innovation, equity, and continuous improvement.
To help communities enhance their work-based learning programs and ensure equitable access for schools with varying capacities, EdSystems is releasing the new “Scaling Work-Based Learning: Quality Criteria for Continuous Improvement and Equity” resource.
EdSystems, in partnership with the Illinois Community College Board, is releasing updated versions of eight of the State of Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides to reflect updated labor market information. Share your public comment on the new drafts.
On May 21, 2024, the EdSystems team introduced changes to eight Model Programs of Study Guides and how to share your public comment.
Alongside a statewide advisory, EdSystems has developed high-quality criteria for work-based learning in support of the College and Career Pathway Endorsements framework. The draft resource is open for public comment until May 31.
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.
How can we ensure high quality, continuous improvement, and equity in work-based learning opportunities? On April 29, 2024, our statewide advisory group shared insights from a new resource for stakeholders, now open for public comment.
On April 25, 2024, we provide an overview of the new “Quality Criteria for College and Career Pathways Implementation” document, which is now available for public comment.
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.
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.
EdSystems has released a three-pronged inquiry into evaluating early pathways into the education profession, as conducted by researchers from the College of Education at Northern Illinois University. It includes (1) an evaluation framework, (2) the feasibility of using the ILDS to analyze outcomes, and (3) a pilot study.
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.
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.
At the State Dual Enrollment Academy, the Illinois team learned about developing equitable student supports and shared our state’s extensive work to promote intentional dual credit experiences for students through aligned policy.
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.
The first-of-its-kind Illinois Career Pathways Dictionary now includes expanded and updated definitions as well as resources and implementation guidance on a new website, pathwaysdictionary.org.
EdSystems is developing quality criteria to inform the Illinois College and Career Pathway Endorsement and work-based learning implementation and evaluation, to help raise the awareness and profile of these efforts in Illinois and nationally.
To understand the potential impact of the College and Career Pathway Endorsement, EdSystems is engaging in two pathways-related data and evaluation activities: a pathways evaluation framework and an ROI analysis framework.
Illinois Math Badging Initiative pilot sites showcased their plans for using badges, demonstrating the flexibility of the badges and incredibly thoughtful ways of employing them.
Find out how your school district or college can support manufacturing pathway students in applying for a new scholarship.
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!
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:
Are you looking for ways to integrate robotics into your broader goals for student learning? Robotics is a machine that will build the people who will change the world and our future for the better.
Through the national Launch initiative, EdSystems is leading the Illinois team in designing a pilot program that will support seamless transitions for learners from secondary to postsecondary.
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.
An overview of resources in the work-based learning continuum for manufacturing pathway students.
An overview of resources in the work-based learning continuum for health sciences pathway students.
Education Systems Center is excited to announce our two newest Model Programs of Study Guides in Human & Public Service and Culinary & Hospitality. The guides were finalized in October 2022.
An overview of resources in the work-based learning continuum for education pathway students.
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.
An archive of work-based learning blog posts from the Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network.
To support the development of high-quality Career Exploration and Career Development Experiences in middle and high schools, ISBE tapped EdSystems to support a one-year pilot program. Check out the pilot’s models, resources, best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations for policy and supports to help better inform the field.
Recordings of professional learning sessions for administrators, teachers and counselors to help prepare for implementation of transitional math and state portability submission.
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.
The results of a 2021 survey, co-conducted by EdSystems, are clear: the vast majority of those surveyed see the benefits for all involved in dual credit, from the schools, educators, students, and families.
Download drafts for the Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides in Culinary Arts and Hospitality and Human and Public Services plus a newly revised Education Guide.
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.
In partnership with XQ Institute and Student Achievement Partners, EdSystems is launching an initiative to create an Illinois high school math badging system as an alternative credentialing mechanism wherein students can certify learning gained through a broad range of sources including coursework, independent study, summer school, and work-based learning.
Resources to orient educators to the College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) system and its implementation.
In support of the OneGoal team and their Postsecondary Leadership Series, the EdSystems team is providing two primary services: capacity-building for OneGoal staff and advising for partner-facing content relating to college and career pathways, early college credit, transitional instruction, work-based learning, and data.
This resource shows Illinois universities’ current participation status and related placement processes for transitional math courses in two of these pathways – STEM and QL / Stats.
Hear experiences and learnings from communities participating in ISBE’s Career Exploration and Career Development Experience Pilot.
View the webinar recording for the Model Programs of Study Guide in Arts and Communications, sponsored by ICCB.
View the webinar recording for the Model Programs of Study Guide in Finance and Business Services, sponsored by ICCB.
View the spring webinar on competency-based education in Illinois community colleges, hosted by ICCB and EdSystems.
The Illinois Postsecondary Profiles Project is a user-centered resource for learning about postsecondary institutions through comprehensive data collected directly from Illinois Higher Education agencies and institutions.
View the webinar recording for an overview the Model Programs of Study Guide in IT, sponsored by ICCB.
View the webinar recording for the Model Programs of Study Guide in Architecture, Construction, and Energy, sponsored by ICCB.
View the webinar recording for the Model Programs of Study Guide in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, sponsored by ICCB.
Looking at ISBE’s 2020-21 Illinois Report Card, the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted learning for students of all ages across Illinois, the impacts of which are reflected in several critical measures. However, increasing dual credit enrollment and declining postsecondary remediation enrollment rates are cause for celebration.
In collaboration with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Education Systems Center has released a new Career Development Experience Toolkit Companion Piece to address the needs of stakeholders outside of a traditional high school setting.
View a webinar overview of the Model Programs of Study Guide in Manufacturing & Engineering, sponsored by ICCB.
View the webinar overview of the Model Programs of Study Guide in Education, sponsored by ICCB.
Access resources created or vetted by the Statewide Advisory Group that align with the Statewide Course Parameters, Competencies, and Policies document to support new and established Transitional English courses to meet the requirements to apply for statewide portability.
View the webinar recording for the Model Programs of Study Guide in Health Sciences and Technology, sponsored by ICCB.
Learn how Illinois students earning a College and Career Pathway Endorsement in education can access a unique Golden Apple Scholar opportunity.
EdSystems’ Pathways School Readiness Framework and accompanying Tracker are designed to support school districts, intermediary organizations, and school leaders to develop action plans for implementing college and career pathways in a deliberate and sustainable manner.
An archive of past convenings of the Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network.
Designed for district, intermediary, and school teams to identify the status, responsibility parties, and timelines for various aspects of pathway implementation.
EdSystems applauds the adoption of the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s new 10-year strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth.
Our conversations with five established Transitional Math Local Advisory Panels across Illinois have resulted in a document that is intended to provide guidance at all phases of establishing and running a Local Advisory Panel.
The Career Development Experience Toolkit Companion Piece is designed for stakeholders outside of a traditional high school setting including workforce development organizations, community-based organizations, and alternative high schools.
The Education Omnibus Bill results in sweeping changes to Illinois’ P-20 education and workforce systems, spanning from home visiting programs serving Illinois’ youngest children to expectations for community colleges and universities.
To increase the number of high school graduates placed into college-level reading and communications courses without the need for remediation, the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Community College Board, and Illinois Board of Higher Education have adopted the Statewide Transitional English Course Parameters, Competencies, and Policies.
Northern Illinois University’s College of Education and Education Systems Center at NIU are proud to announce new incentives for Illinois students graduating with the College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) in Education.
New reports highlight opportunities to enhance dual credit policy for equity and quality.
EdSystems staff and their partners led a multi-year process to develop and enact the PWR Act in close collaboration with a broad range of education and workforce stakeholders.
For the first time, Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois and EdSystems are partnering to offer a unique advantage for students earning a College and Career Pathway Endorsement in education.
The Illinois State Board of Education recently released the 2019–20 Illinois Report Card, and student readiness for postsecondary appears to be rising overall across the State—dual credit enrollment is rising, remediation rates are falling, and graduation rates are growing.
As schools across Illinois continue to navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EdSystems team is pleased to share a new resource for guiding the development of information gathering systems in remote and blended learning environments.
The first four Model Programs of Study Guides focus on the following industry sectors: Education, Health Sciences and Technology, Information Technology, and Manufacturing and Engineering.
EdSystems supports the Common Program Information component of Pro Path Illinois, to enhance and align data captured across state administrative systems.
As students across the state return to school, many high school students are now working towards earning a College and Career Pathway Endorsement. Ridgewood High School, located in the Chicago suburbs and a leader in the pathways approach, was the first in Illinois to award the College and Career Pathway Endorsements to Class of 2020 graduates who successfully completed the Education and Manufacturing and Engineering pathways.
Covid-19 “disruptions” can offer new opportunities for moving toward personalization and competency-based approaches.
As communities move to remote learning, we can also continue developing valuable employability skills through virtual work-based learning.
How quarantine proved personalized, project-based learning and competency concepts can provide frameworks for doing school better.
The Postsecondary Workforce Readiness Act’s Transitional English Course Parameters and Competencies are now available for public review.
Learn more about the need to elevate competency-based education districts with the shift to remote learning.
Led by an NIU team funded by a federal grant, this early childhood project links data across state agencies to establish unduplicated counts of children.
Our first series dives into the work behind the development of the Model Partnership Agreement (MPA) and how it is being implemented in communities. Systems Sessions explores big, current issues in education policy through conversations with the EdSystems team, State policymakers, and community leaders who are on the ground leading this work.
The Career Development Experience Toolkit, aligned to the PWR Act, supports scaling high-quality career pathways and work-based learning.
EdSystems leads the interagency efforts to define statewide transitional instruction competencies, policies, and implementation plans.
In early 2019, ISBE and ICCB appointed EdSystems to facilitate the Dual Credit Committee to develop the Model Partnership Agreement.
Illinois Postsecondary Profiles (IPP) is an online resource for data describing 2- and 4-year postsecondary institutions in Illinois.
The Illinois Longitudinal Data System (ILDS) provides the governance and technical systems that support the integration of longitudinal data across participating Illinois state agencies.
EdSystems’ role with the Illinois Advanced Apprenticeship Consortium is implementing a Manufacturing Pathway aligned to the College and Career Pathway Endorsement system for students that meets the expectations and requirements of the PWR Act.
Through collaboration with the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Education Systems Center has released a Career Development Experience Toolkit aligned to the frameworks established in the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) Act and embedded within Illinois’ broader strategies around scaling high-quality career pathways and work-based learning.
With EdSystems’ focus on key metrics of college and career readiness, the release of new Illinois Report Card data provides us with an opportunity to both celebrate progress and identify areas needing attention.
Education Systems Center worked with public and private stakeholders to define key competencies for the College and Career Pathway Endorsements and is now working with community networks to support implementation of endorsement systems in line with the PWR Act.
Released in 2019, the Career Development Experience Toolkit adheres to the framework of the PWR Act for College and Career Pathway Endorsements. These materials serve any organization that seeks to provide rigorous work-based learning opportunities to youth.
With the help of Education Systems Center, Illinois recently achieved a major milestone in its efforts to expand dual credit access and offerings with the adoption of the Model Partnership Agreement by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).
How District 100 aligned its CTE programs with career-focused course sequences in partnership with Rock Valley College, as part of the College and Career Pathway Endorsement framework.
The Illinois Career Pathways Dictionary includes terms that pertain to—or deeply impact—multiple programs across state agencies and apply to programming with funding from multiple federal agencies.
The Illinois Longitudinal Data System (ILDS) Governing Board has released its 2018 Annual Report & Plan.
To help transform outcomes for youth and adults across Illinois, the Illinois Career Pathways Dictionary defines key terms for career pathway programs and system elements, while also offering resources and implementation guidance to support statewide alignment.
A new report details College and Career Pathway Endorsement competencies in health sciences, IT, manufacturing engineering, and finance and business services.
One of the PWR Act’s four components is the College and Career Pathway Endorsement, an innovative way for school districts to validate the hard work of students preparing for life after high school.
The new College and Career Placement Endorsements address the disconnect between what’s taught in the classroom and what employers need.
The Illinois Longitudinal Data System (ILDS) Governing Board has released its 2017 Annual Report & Plan.
Receive EdSystems’ newsletter and event invitations
© 2024 Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University. All rights reserved.
