Registration is now open for IASB's New Board Member Workshops. Beginning May 8 and concluding July 11, these one- and two-day training events are designed to meet the needs of board members elected in 2015. Participants will be able to fulfill their mandatory board training on Friday. The Saturday sessions will provide board members with the essential information they need to understand and fulfill their governance role. Learn more HERE.

Learn more about the initiative for public education in Illinois to guide educators, legislators, labor, business, parents, and community members as they work together toward the common goal of fulfilling the promise of public education in Illinois.

The March/April 2015 issue of The Illinois School Board Journal offers multiple perspectives on high-stakes testing, Common Core and PARCC implementation. Read how Unity Point District 140 prepared its staff, and how Plainfield's District 202 engaged its community, for CCSS and PARCC. Also, recent administrator salary trends are explored in a piece by Western Illinois University professors Lora Wolff and Dean Halverson.

This issue reports on what's next in the Vision 20/20 campaign that aims to fulfill the promise of public education, lists six Illinois counties voting on school facilities sales taxes, and previews the Alliance Leadership Summit. It also reports on upcoming community engagement workshops, reminds readers that panel proposals for the 2015 conference are due soon, looks at an official survey revealing poor state support for public schools, and shares news of a lawsuit against the IHSA that could threaten the existence of many high school football programs.

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 (2/20/15).