January 18, 2008
Consultant briefs IBHE, other agencies on public agenda process
Development of a Public Agenda for Illinois Higher Education: Planning for College and Career Success got underway this week with a briefing by consultants for members of the Board of Higher Education and state education agencies on the master planning process. The Board has retained the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS), a nonprofit consultancy that is recognized nationally as the premier consultant on state plans, to assist with the public agenda project, which was directed by House Joint Resolution 69. Dennis Jones, president of NCHEMS, presented a framework for creating the public agenda, including data analysis to determine state educational needs and a policy audit to examine how well the state is presently equipped to meet those needs.
Latino students find ‘oasis’ at Truman College
A program aimed at giving promising, but at-risk, Latino students a chance at college has shown encouraging results, according to an article in the Winter 2008 publication, Student Access and Success News, published by the Lumina Foundation. The Transitional Bilingual Learning Community (TBLC) at Harry S Truman College, one of the seven City Colleges of Chicago, has shown success in assisting Latinos with limited English-speaking skills and even more limited means have a shot at college. An evaluation by the University of Illinois reported that among the 187 students in the first cohort of the program, 87 percent completed one year and stayed at Truman.
Report offers recommendations for study aboard programs
NAFSA: Association of International Educators this week released a new report, “Strengthening Study Abroad: Recommendations for Effective Institutional Management” that sets out 14 recommendations for the management of study abroad in four major categories: institutional commitment; infrastructure; resources; and clarity and accountability. Prepared by a panel of university presidents and provosts, the report is endorsed by six leading higher-education associations. Dr. Karen Hunter Anderson, Vice President of Adult Education and Institutional Support at the Illinois Community College Board, was the sole member of the task force to represent the community college perspective.
Illinois average in Quality Counts report
Illinois earned an overall grade of C in Education Week’s 12th annual Quality Counts report published this week. In the 6 categories for grading, Illinois received a B- in chance for college; D+ in K-12 achievement; C+ in standards, assessment, and accountability; C- in transitions and alignment; D+ for the teaching profession; and a C in school finance.
UPCOMING
January
22
School Leader Task Force Springfield
25
ISAC meeting, Loyola University Chicago
28
ICCB meeting, Springfield
February
5
IBHE meeting, Springfield
Election Day
