May ISBE Updates

Due to a coding error made to Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) calculations in 2018, some Illinois school districts are owed additional funds. More than $87 million in additional funding to districts was authorized by the General Assembly in a supplemental appropriations measure. The funding allocations by district are available via a spreadsheet on the ISBE Evidence-Based Funding webpage under the “EBF Correction” tab. There, districts can also find revised EBF calculations for FY 2019, FY 2020, and FY 2021, as well as a recorded webinar and PowerPoint presentation explaining the funding error and corrective payments. 
 

As a result of changes to Illinois statute and rules, ISBE has released updated guidance on the district use of isolated time out and physical restraint. “Updated Permanent Regulations for the Use of Time Out, Isolated Time Out, and Physical Restraint: Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions” includes definitions of pertinent terms such as time out, isolated time out, and various forms of restraint; supports available to students and districts; training requirements; administrative policies and procedures; notification requirements to parents and/or guardians; and several answers to additional questions of importance.  
 

ISBE’s Data Strategies and Analytics Department will continue to host monthly webinars at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The webinars are designed to give school districts an opportunity to ask questions on the various data collections required of districts. Registration and a full list of the data reports that ISBE will be available to answer questions about is available on the State Board of Education’s website.