Cover Stories

• Early learning changes the course

  By Megan Meyer

  IASB is collaborating with The Ounce of Prevention Fund to communicate with school boards the importance of early learning to attack the gap in academic achievement that can exist between many low-resource students and their more advantaged peers.

Feature Articles

• Chat rooms, discussion forums raise red flags

  By Melinda Selbee, Kimberly Small, and Cathy Talbert

  School board members should exercise great caution and restraint if using online communication such as discussion forums and chatrooms and chat.

• From rigor to reality: Lack of candidates escalates Illinois' teacher shortage

  By James Rosborg

  As boards of education deal with a scarcity of teachers and substitutes, changes to admission standards have made it harder for students to become teachers.
  Sidebar: Teacher preparation programs influence board work
  By Patrick Rice

• IASB focuses on digital engagement

  By Heath Hendren

  In effort to reach a wider audience and serve members effectively, IASB is adjusting its communication strategy to increase online engagement.

Regular Features

• Ask the Staff: What is IASB's response to reports from Illinois task forces?

  By Ben Schwarm and Deanna Dullivan

• Practical PR: Tell your district's story in 60 seconds

  By Margaret Van Duch