In 2013, the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) in its inaugural "Exemplary Educational Leadership Preparation" (EELP) program competition recognized University of Illinois at Chicago's (UIC) Doctorate in Urban Education Leadership as one of two EELP programs in the United States. This article provides information…

A community school is a place and a set of partnerships connecting a school, the families of students, and the surrounding community. A community school is distinguished by an integrated focus on academics, youth development, family support, health and social services, and community development. The community school strategy is central to efforts…

High-quality out-of-school-time (OST) programs have a positive effect on youth development, but many cities have found it difficult to address the challenges of expanding and improving the quality of programs offered to underserved and high-need students. In response, The Wallace Foundation sponsored an initiative to help five cities increase…

High-quality out-of-school-time (OST) programs have a positive effect on youth development, but many cities have found it difficult to address the challenges of expanding and improving the quality of programs offered to underserved and high-need students. In response, The Wallace Foundation sponsored an initiative to help five cities increase…

The recent overhaul of the federal welfare system gives states new flexibility to set child care policies, develop child care programs, and fund new initiatives. The Child Care Action Campaign (CCAC) conducted an audioconference on July 31, 1997, to examine key elements of new state plans and to take a close look at how one state, Illinois, made…

Focusing on the use of Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) funds in vocational agriculture, this article presents suggestions for obtaining CETA funds for a local vocational agriculture program. In addition, the article describes how CETA funds were used in an Illinois high school and the advantages realized from their use. (LRA)

This handbook uses a Title IX Ethnic Heritage Studies Project conducted in Illinois as a model for suggesting methods and approaches that might be used by school personnel in introducing multicultural studies to a school community setting. Specific strategies are outlined and described for the following areas: (1) funding; (2) staff training; (3)…

This report describes the ways in which programs sponsored by the Ounce of Prevention Fund (OPF) are using innovative strategies to provide children and families with opportunities for health, education, and employment. A program summary lists agencies participating in OPF programs. For each agency, the summary includes a racial and ethnic…

Key findings from an evaluative study of 16 Illinois regional programs for educating low-incidence disabled children are summarized; 12 recommendations are presented for organizing, delivering, and financing improved statewide services; and suggestions are offered for implemeting basic recommendations in comprehensive programs for aurally,…

Chicago Public Schools, in partnership with the greater Chicago community, is implementing the largest-scale community school initiative in the nation. The establishment of Local School Councils (LSCs) and the creation of small schools, charter schools, and other alternative educational settings have propelled Chicago into the national spotlight.…

Presented are duplications of the responses given by Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation (Skokie, Illinois) as part of a project to collect, share, and compile information about, and techniques in the operation of 18 community action models for recreation services to the disabled. Model programs are categorized as consumer, client…

The Illinois Children's Mental Health Task Force was convened in 2002 to assess the status of Illinois' mental health system for children from birth to age 18, and to develop short- and long-term recommendations for assuring that all Illinois children have access to coordinated and comprehensive mental health services and programs. This report is…

One viable economic development option for rural areas is the creation of business incubators--facilities that aid in the early stages of growth of an enterprise by providing rental space, services, and business assistance. Business incubators promote community development by diversifying the economic base, enhancing the community's image as a…

Discussed in this report is the MacArthur/Spencer Special Project on Educational Finance conducted on the campuses of the Illinois State University. This 5-year research effort is designed to conduct research into equity, adequacy, and efficiency aspects of educational finance in Illinois. When possible, conclusions and generalizations are…

Describes a project involving four rural school districts that uses interactive cable television to link classrooms and teach advanced high school courses prohibitively expensive for any one system to offer alone. This report briefly describes how the system works and discusses objectives, teacher preparation, funding, and evaluation procedures.…