HR1013 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1013 LRB099 20413 MST 44908 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois General Assembly wish to recognize and thank the 32 school districts that, in conjunction with the Illinois State Board of Education, have participated in the United States Department of Education's Race to the Top Phase 3 initiative; and

WHEREAS, The following districts made great strides in advancing student learning outcomes: Addison School District #4, Bensenville Elementary School District #2, Bloomington Public School District #87, Brooklyn Unit District #188, Calumet Public School District #132, Canton Union School District #66, Carbon Cliff-Barstow School District #36, Country Club Hills School District #160, City of Chicago Public School District #299, East Richland Community Unit School District #1, East Saint Louis School District #189, Eastland Community Unit School District #308, Freeport School District #145, Illini Central School District #189, Marion Community Unit School District #2, Matteson School District #162, McLean Community Unit School District #5, Morrison Community Unit School District #6, Niles Township High School District #219, Pembroke Community Consolidated School District #259, Peoria School District #150, Prairie-Hills Elementary School District #144, Rantoul City District #137, Rich Township High School District #227, Sandoval Community Unit School District #501, Sterling Community Unit School District #5, Township High School District #211, Unity Point School District #140, Urbana School District #116, Wabash Community Unit School District #348, Winnebago Community Unit School District #323, and Zion Elementary School District #6; and

WHEREAS, The federal grant began in December of 2012 and consists of 4 key focus areas for school improvement and increasing student achievement; Illinois was one of the only states to implement all 16 components in those areas; and

WHEREAS, The districts represent 20% of the Illinois public schools, 25% of the total Illinois student population, and 38% of low income students; and

WHEREAS, The districts are preparing students for college and careers, creating a workforce of highly effective teachers and leaders, and building data systems that measure student success; and

WHEREAS, The grantee districts have been working diligently towards increasing student outcomes through aligning the New Illinois Learning Standards across the curriculum, developing Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) programs, developing local assessments and student growth measures, implementing comprehensive district improvement plans/processes, induction and mentoring programs for new teachers and principals, implementing the Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) on an accelerated timeline, engaging community stakeholders in their schools and districts, and utilizing the 5Essentials survey of learning conditions; and

WHEREAS, The grantee districts are applying innovative thinking and approaches to the work, collaborating between the districts, sharing best-practices, and building state capacity; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we acknowledge the hard work and dedication of these districts to improve educational outcomes for students, and for their collaborative work with the Illinois State Board of Education in accelerating key educational reforms that aim to close achievement gaps while increasing student achievement and preparedness for college and careers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the 32 school districts participating in the Race to the Top initiative as a symbol of our esteem and respect.