Friday Memo

              August 8, 2008
Public Agenda Task Force to review Consultants’ Report
The Task Force to create a Public Agenda for College and Career Success will meet August 12 in Chicago to review the Consultants’ Report from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) and begin the process of drafting a preliminary Public Agenda. The NCHEMS consultants have undertaken extensive research of the demographics of Illinois, examined its educational and economic trends, and conducted a series of 34 regional forums across the state to gain insights from, elected officials, business leaders, educators, and other stakeholders. Their report explores principles to guide the final stages of the planning process, and outlines a series of draft strategies and performance measures for implementing the four goals of the Public Agenda. The Task Force will decide how it wishes to proceed with preparing a draft Public Agenda for public comment. The meeting begins at 1 p.m. at Kendall College.
IBHE to consider endorsing American Diploma Project
The Board of Higher Education will meet at 9 a.m. August 12 at Kendall College in Chicago. Highlighting the Board’s agenda is a proposal to endorse Illinois’ participation in the American Diploma Project, a national P-20 network of states created by Achieve, Inc., to strengthen the link between the P-12 system and higher education. The goals of the project are to align high school curriculum with expectations for the demands of the workforce and rigors of college, to test skills and knowledge required by employers and college faculty, and hold schools and colleges accountable for student success. The Board’s agenda also includes a discussion of the state’s fiscal temperature as the FY 2010 budget process gets underway.
Higher ed leaders applaud congressional approval of Higher Education Opportunity Act
Congress passed a comprehensive and far-reaching reauthorization of the Higher Education Act July 31, and higher education leaders praised the UPCOMING
August 12 IBHE Meeting, 9 a.m. Kendall College, Chicago Public Agenda Task Force Meeting, 1 p.m., Kendall College 15-16ICCTA Executive Committee Meeting, Chicago September
2-4 IEMA 2008 Conference,
Springfield 12 Illinois Community College Presidents' Council Meeting, Springfield 12-13 ICCB Student Advisory Committee Meeting, Springfield 12-13Illinois Community College Trustees Association Meetings, Springfield 19 Illinois Community College
Board Meeting, Rend