Jonathan Furr Director Northern Illinois University Office of Education System Innovation

2 Illinois Pathways Mission: Empower and support Illinois learners to explore, progress through, and transition from high quality, structured career pathway systems into rewarding careers in critical growth areas for the Illinois economy. Illinois Pathways consists of two strategies… Support local career pathway systems development that empower students to explore their academic and career interests in STEM fields. Launch new statewide, public-private partnerships known as STEM Learning Exchanges that better coordinate investments, resources and planning.

3 Illinois Pathways – Focus Areas Builds off of the National Career Cluster Framework and supports career pathway systems in nine STEM application areas:

Elementary and Middle School Build a strong academic foundation, particularly in math and science. Foster STEM skills and interest through authentic learning experiences. Prepare for career area focus through education & career plan development. Secondary Education 9 th and 10 th Secondary Education 11 th and 12 th Postsecondary Education and Careers Provide orientation level courses that may cut across career clusters. Integrate work-based learning activities that support career exploration. On track for college and career readiness in core academic subjects. Commence pathway-specific course sequence, with dual credit opportunities. Integrate work-based learning activities that build pathway skills. Develop portfolio of academic and employability skills and credentials. Manage effective transitions to college and/or employment. Continue portfolio development through stackable credentials. Career Pathway Systems: Key Features

Elementary and Middle School Career Awareness Career Exploration Secondary Education 9 th and 10 th Secondary Education 11 th and 12 th Postsecondary Education and Careers Problem-based Learning/Competitions Service Learning Job Shadows Career Preparation Internships School-based Enterprises Apprenticeships Work Experience Work-Based Learning Opportunities

8 Overview of Implementation Efforts 1)Race to the Top Network – Funded through a Round 3 U.S. Department of Education Race to the Top grant to the State of Illinois. 35 school districts building two or more STEM Programs of Study 2)Pathways to Prosperity Network – Participating in a multi-state network led by Jobs for the Future and Harvard Graduate School of Education to implement regional career pathway models. - Chicago - Aurora- Peoria- East St. Louis 3)The Ready and the Willing… - Rockford- Wheeling- Quad Cities– North Chicago- Decatur

9 STEM Learning Exchanges

10 Illinois Pathways – Learning Exchange Members Employers and employer-led organizations Labor unions Professional associations Secondary and postsecondary teachers and faculty Students and student organizations Community colleges and universities Who makes up a STEM Learning Exchange? School districts and regional Economic and workforce agencies STEM education experts Federal labs and research centers Local workforce investment boards Museums and non-profit organizations Community-based organizations Organized and coordinated by an industry-supported lead entity

Designated STEM Learning Exchanges STEM Cluster AreaLead Entity Agriculture, Food & Natural ResourcesIllinois Foundation for Future Farmers of America Health SciencesUniversity of Illinois at Chicago Information TechnologyCompTIA Workforce Development ManufacturingIllinois Manufacturers Association Education Foundation Research & DevelopmentIllinois Science and Technology Institute EnergyIllinois State University FinanceEcon Illinois Transportation, Distribution & LogisticsIllinois Manufacturers Association Education Foundation Note: For STEM Learning Exchange contact information please visit

Manage System Design and Track Performance Deliver Resources and Supports for Local Pathway Systems Outreach Resources Curriculum Lab Space & Equipment Teacher PD Student Organizations Expand Quality Work-based Learning Opportunities Internships, Job Shadows Sponsor industry challenges STEM Learning Exchange Functions

AFNREnergyHealth SciencesITManufacturingR&D Supervised Ag Experiences Expanded Challenges New Curriculum Development Curriculum catalogue Online toolkit of career dev. programs PD on Energy and NGSS Virtual speakers bureau IL Junior Academy of Sciences statewide challenges Out-of-box curriculum and lesson plans Web-based curriculum, including online lesson plans and curriculum maps In-service and pre- service teacher training IT career roadmaps Web-based curriculum library 500 internship commitments Machining, robotics, and welding competitions Mfg. Skills Standard Council (MSSC) training Virtual platform for standard-based resources, with focus on NGSS practice standards Sponsor R&D student competitions Online mentor matching platform Immediate Learning Exchange Priorities

Business Program School Historic Funding & Support Model One – Off System = Funding & Technical Assistance State Government (Economic Dev. Agency) Federal Government Philanthropy State Government (Education Agency) Employer Associations School Program

Local Implementation Infrastructure Private-Public Backbone Organization(s) as Major “System Engines” Develop: Convene stakeholders to identify needs and arrange commitments to collaborate. (Leadership Team) Oversee: Monitor and report to regional leadership on the status of system development; identify needs for support and accountability for front-line organizations & collaborations. Better Post-Secondary & Career Outcomes for Young Adults Front-Line Organizations: these Directly Serve Young People and Employers Learning Exchanges Provide curriculum resources Expand access to lab space and equipment Support student organizations Provide internships and other work experiences Sponsor industry challenges Provide PD Provide career development and outreach resources Elementary and middle schools Non Profit Organizations Employers Workforce Intermediaries (Connecters) High Schools Community Colleges

Teachers face challenges that make it hard to connect with students individually “It’s frustrating to figure out how to take data and use it to help students.” “What’s broken? The idea that ‘one size fits all.’” “Just give us time to do some of the things we don’t have time to do!”

That’s where the Illinois Shared Learning Environment (ISLE) comes in What is ISLE? ISLE’s Mission An online platform that will empower educators and learners with integrated data and tools to personalize learning and drive student success from pre-K through career. To drive academic achievement and career success for all lifelong learners in Illinois by enabling personalized learning through open and accessible technologies.

ISLE empowers educators by organizing and integrating data with educational tools Assessment Authoring Learning Maps Student Interventions Dashboard Searchable Content

Educators helped us identify five main ways to use ISLE to help students succeed Learning MapsStudent Intervention Tracker ISLE Searchable Content Student Information Dashboard Assessment Authoring

ISLE will continue to evolve over the coming months and years 2012-Present Plan, design, test, gather user feedback School Year Pilot School Year Begin rollout to RT3 Districts and STEM Learning Exchanges School Year Continue rollout to other districts and workforce programs

Questions or More Information Jonathan Furr