Newly-elected and veteran board members have 12 opportunities to attend regional New Board Member workshops. These workshops will include IASB's Basics of Governance and fulfill the state's mandatory requirements for Professional Development Leadership Training and Open Meetings Act. Options include one or two-day training sessions. Click here for more information. Registration is now open online.

Education in other countries: is it really better, or just different? That's the question posed in this month's cover story. One perspective is shared by an American teacher who works in Japanese schools. Another is offered by his Japanese-American daughter, who is attending high school here. Also, two Illinois professors recently visited Finland to study its education reform model. Also in this issue...

Registration and housing forms for the Conference, set for Nov. 22-24 in Chicago, will be available online on June 10. This month's issue also contains referendum results, Conference panel plans, and a school law column warning that arbitrator decisions are hard to challenge. News is included, as well, on member district representation at the NSBA convention, a national technology site visit to a model Illinois district, plus staff changes, and online mandatory board training.

Compiled each week during sessions of the General Assembly and as needed during off-session times, Alliance Legislative Reports summarize major legislative activities and bills of interest to school leaders. Read the latest ALR here (5/17/13).