The Illinois Elevating Special Educators (IESE) Network is a statewide system of professional learning funded by IDEA Part D State Personnel Development Grant dollars. In order to meet objectives, the IESE Network has divided the State into five areas that cover Northwest, Northeast, West-Central, East-Central and Southern Illinois. Program Advisors & Regional Specialists in each area collaborate to design and implement professional learning activities within four key areas of focus: Mentoring, Coaching, Professional Learning, and Parent/Family Education.

OUR PURPOSE:

Recruiting & Retaining High Quality Special Educators

Building Sustainable, Professional Learning Opportunities for Educators

Improving Outcomes for Students with Disabilities

Connecting Families & Educators to Create Powerful Partnerships

A "thank you" does not feel adequate to convey appreciation for all the work, passion, creativity, dedication, organization, and patience you give and show each day. As you count down days to the end of the year, reflect on the growth made by not only your students but also by you. One of my favorite TED Talks is by Rita Pierson who reminds us that "every kid needs a champion." Educators need that champion, too! Champion for each other and prepare to rest, relax, and reflect over break.

Stephanie Woodley, Grant Coordinator

Watch Rita Pierson's TED Talk

High-leverage practices (HLPs) for students with disabilities are a set of practices that when used consistently and effectively have shown to increase outcomes for students with disabilities. When first developed and published, the 22 HLPs were organized into 4 domains: Collaboration, Assessment, Instruction, and Social/Emotional/Behavioral. Recently refreshed and revised to better reflect current research, context, and diversity, the HLP structure was reorganized under new domains: Collaboration, Data-Driven Planning, Instruction in Behavior & Academics, and Intensify & Intervene as Needed. Seven pillar HLPs were identified as the strongest indicators for impacting outcomes for a range of students, reflecting the varying strengths and needs of students with disabilities. While few HLPs were ever used in isolation, the revision reflects ways in which HLPs work together and are embedded within the work you do.

Learn more about HLPs with resources from CEEDAR and CEC by clicking the links.

The Illinois Elevating Special Educators (IESE) Network is excited to provide remote Professional Development Conversation (PDC) opportunities to special educators and school personnel who support students with disabilities across the state.

Each month, from September 2023 through May 2024, IESE offers a remote PDC session that provides information on topics related to serving students with disabilities. These sessions are informal overviews with discussions and activities to make practical connections to daily practice.

Join us Tuesday, May 14th for “Partnering with Parents: A Parent Panel” from 3:30PM-4:30PM via ZOOM.