Being a member of the Illinois Coalition of Nonpublic Schools entitles you to receive the monthly Electronic Report.  With this issue, we welcome many new members to the Coalition. You will find the purpose of this Report is to provide brief synopses of developments with the Illinois Coalition of Non-Public Schools, legislative updates, and information of interest to our nonpublic school administrators.  Additional information may be obtained by following the hyperlinks that are imbedded throughout the Report. 

ADVOCATING FOR NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS

If you look at the masthead of the ICNS web site, you will notice that we are identified as the “voice of non-public education in Illinois.”  In order to make our “voice” as loud as we can when addressing the needs of nonpublic schools, we need your help. The annual membership drive for ICNS is underway. School contacts should have received an application for the 2008-2009 school year. Membership dues are just  $50.  For those schools that have been members in the past, you now how valuable a resource it is to be a part of ICNS. For the work we do on you behalf, the knowledge gained and the information you receive with regularity, all provide important assistance to your work. If you have already renewed your membership, we thank you for your school’s support. If not, access the memberships form from the ICNS web site, and send it in today.  With you membership in ICNS, our “voice” can be heard.

BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS APPLICATION

Information about the Blue Ribbon Schools application process is now posted on www.capenet.org.  Look for Private Schools NCLB-BRS Program at the bottom of the page.  The site includes the timeline, application form, Q and A, and previous winners with the schools’ applications.  First deadline:  Register by November 3, 2008, if you plan to apply. 

NEW REPORT ON INNER-CITY FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS

The White House has issued a report describing the challenges faced by inner-city faith-based schools and offering solutions that engage philanthropy, higher education, and public policy.  Preserving a Critical National Asset: America's Disadvantaged Students and the Crisis in Faith-Based Urban Schools examines the rich tradition of religious schools in America and the causes and consequences of their decline in inner-cities. The report not only summarizes key points advanced at the White House Summit on Inner-City Children and Faith-Based Schools held last April, but also provides full transcripts of presentations delivered at the summit. The report is available on CAPE's Web site.

Are you aware that the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) is also a resource for nonpublic schools? The October 2008 issue of CAPE Outlook, is available for download as a free PDF document here. (Or enter this URL in your browser: http://www.capenet.org/pdf/Outlook338.pdf) In 

EDUCATION IN THE NEWS

Free wikis for teachers as company expands its giveaway project
After giving away its collaborative Internet software to 100,000 K-12 teachers around the world since 2006, a San Francisco company, Wikispaces, plans to offer 250,000 more free wikis. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10041911-52.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0

Who would like to teach?

Forty-two percent of college-educated 24- to 60-year-olds would consider teaching as a career, according to a survey out Wednesday from the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation in Princeton, N.J.

http://www.districtadministration.com/newssummary.aspx?news_date=2008-09-15&news_id=50800#top

'Green clean' your school
Healthy Schools Campaign, a not-for-profit group, has released the second edition of the "Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools." http://www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/campaign/green_clean_schools/press-release-4.php

ILLINOIS LEGISLATIVE NEWS

There were no major legislative developments for us over the summer. In fact, until the new General Assembly is seated in January of 2009, it is unlikely any major issues will surface. In the new legislative session, ICNS would focus attention on an agenda that includes

• Advocating for expansion of the Education Expense Tax Credit by  raising the cap, increasing the percentage of qualified expenses and including refundability so that low-income families can benefit.
• Advocating for increased funding for the Parent/Guardian  Transportation Reimbursement Program and maintenance of funding for the Textbook Loan Program.
• Ensuring a smooth and cooperative relationship between the State Board of Education and non-public schools.
• Pursuing and supporting other school choice options – such as corporate tax credits and increased reimbursements for state mandates – as opportunities exist.

School Safety Block Grant

The deadline for submitting last year’s attendance data on the IWAS system was September 15. This is something that will need to be done every year, and now that we have done it twice and know what is expected, the process should be smooth and include full participation in the future. The reimbursement rate this year will be very similar to the $35.88 per pupil that was granted last year; but unlike last year, your school will receive this reimbursement in two payments: the first in October and the second in April.

Illinois Textbook Loan Program

The funding for the 2009 Illinois Textbook Loan Program (ITLP) is $42,826,500, which means the allotment for schools will be approximately $40 per student. The 2009 ITLP covers grades 7 through 12. Ordering school materials for the 2009 ITLP will begin December 1, 2008 and end March 15, 2009. In November 2008, school administrators will be notified in regards to school allotments and other pertinent information for the program.

Beginning with the 2008 ITLP, all schools have utilized the ISBE Web Application Security (IWAS) system to request materials in the ITLP. If you need assistance with IWAS, call the IWAS help desk at 217/558-3600.

Preschool For All

If you have not done so as of yet, your school may want to consider submitting an application for the Preschool for All Program.  Many millions of dollars will be added to the program again this year.  Nonpublic schools can take advantage of this program.  ISBE’s primer:  www.isbe.state.il.us/earlychi/preschool/preschool_for_all.pdf