Contact People:
Connie Wise
Illinois State Board of Education
100 N. First St.
Springfield, IL 62777-0001
Judy Judy
Tri-County Education Service Center (ESC) #10
24900 S. Sage St.
Channahon, IL 60410-9653
The relationship between school reform and the use of time has been discussed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The 1993 NCREL state policy seminar was held on the topic, "The Use of Time in School." At the seminar, teachers, experts, and SEA staff discussed concerns about time and how it is used in school. Participants completed questionnaires on the use of time, which NCREL compiled into a report to the National Commission on Time and Learning.
The need for time for staff training, planning, and collaborating is a key issue concerning the schools. The state-mandated accreditation process requires schools to develop learning outcomes for the state goals for learning and to develop multiple assessments for each of the outcomes. The requirement to include performance assessment as part of the school's assessment system places an additional requirement on schools that can be met only by providing time for teachers to learn, plan, develop, and continuously improve outcomes and assessments. Where will the time come from? Who will provide the technical assistance and training?
An ISBE policy study on the "Use of Time in School" recommended an increase in the amount of money available to schools for staff development by allowing schools to combine monies for various programs that in the past had to remain separate. This plan was not approved by the legislature.
Additionally, legislation has been passed to abolish the state's 18 Educational Service Centers (ESCs) and reorganize the state's intermediate services, effective August 1995. The centers have been a major source of training and technical assistance to educators throughout the state.
"Policymakers can inform themselves and the public as a first step. Then they can support educators who are undertaking the task of meaningful restructuring, becoming visible and vocal advocates, waiving bureaucratic mandates, and increasing financial resources."
The most critical need is for policymakers to understand that the educational and administrative models of the past are no longer viable today and are, in fact, impediments to success in the future. Not only does the concept of time relative to the school day and school year need to be revised, but so does the concept of the effective use of time for teachers. Judy Judy, from Tri-County Education Service Center (ESC) #10, stresses "the importance of time for teacher training and collaboration. Policymakers can inform themselves and the public as a first step. Then they can support educators who are undertaking the task of meaningful restructuring, becoming visible and vocal advocates, waiving bureaucratic mandates, and increasing financial resources." Policymakers could provide for more flexibility and waivers from current mandates.
Unless attention is paid to the process of restructuring itself, two questions will be raised: What will people do with the extra time? Will the time be used to continue doing what we have been doing? The issues of process and the training required to internalize the process and time must be addressed as a unit.
Posted on March 6, 1995
URL: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/envrnmnt/go/94-4il.htm