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April Board of Education Meeting
The next regular Board of Education meeting is Thursday, April 24, 2025 in the Field Learning Center at 7 p.m. A recognition of departing Board members will be held following the regular meeting. The Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Education will follow after the regular Board Meeting and the Recognition of Departing Board Members. The agenda is posted two days before the meeting here. The Policy Committee Meeting will take place prior to the Board of Education Meeting at 6 p.m., also in the Field Learning Center.
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Overview of District 31 Talent Development and Advanced Learning Program
District 31 believes in having differentiated and rigorous education for all students. We invite parents and caregivers to learn more about our District 31 Talent Development and Advanced Learning Program (ALP) by visiting the District 31 Talent Development and ALP webpage.
District 31’s Talent Development model aims to provide opportunities that cultivate a student’s emerging strengths and talents in many different areas. The goal is to provide contexts for giftedness to emerge and give every student the chance to develop their talents, no matter where they start. To achieve this, all students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade receive whole-class biweekly lessons (25-30 minutes) in grades K-3 with the Talent Development Coach, while the classroom teacher engages in “talent spotting”. Then, in 4th grade, enrichment is supported specifically for math and English language arts through flexible grouping based on unit pre-assessment.
Starting in 5th grade, students who demonstrate readiness will have the opportunity to participate in our Advanced Learning Program (ALP) for math and/or English language arts. We believe that talents are dynamic and can be found in students of all backgrounds. As a result, we take a thoughtful, ongoing approach to identifying students for advanced learning.
Each year, District 31 uses a student profile process to assess readiness for accelerated instruction. This approach ensures multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their strengths and be considered for placement in ALP courses. Through this process, we strive to provide appropriate challenges and support for students who are ready for advanced learning in grades 5–8.
Placement letters for math and English language arts will be sent electronically to all incoming 5th and 6th grade students the week of May 27.
If you have questions about Talent Development, the Advanced Learning Program, or acceleration in District 31, please reach out to Meg Knapik, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.
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Upcoming State Testing in April
Upon returning from spring break, students in 3rd through 8th grade will take the state-mandated assessments that are used for accountability purposes for all public school districts in Illinois. The District asks for your partnership and support as we approach these important testing dates for our students.
Students in 3rd through 8th grade will take the Illinois Assessment for Readiness (IAR).
- Winkelman testing dates: April 7 - April 10, 2025
- Field testing dates: April 7 - 9, 2025
In addition, students in 5th and 8th grade will take the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA).
- Winkelman testing dates: April 15 - April 17, 2025
- Field testing dates: April 15 - April 16, 2025
The IAR is a computer-based assessment designed to measure mastery of the Illinois Learning Standards incorporating the Common Core in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics for all 3rd through 8th grade students. The ISA is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science incorporating the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and it is only given to 5th and 8th grade students. Our District 31 ELA, math, and science curricula are also aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards.
Students in grades 3 through 8 with significant cognitive impairments take the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM). The DLM is an alternative assessment to the state assessment of readiness for students who have significant disabilities which prevent them from participating in a traditional standardized assessment even when given accommodations. The DLM assesses students in Language Arts and Mathematics. There is a six week window for completion of the assessment in the spring.
Results from state testing are typically sent to schools in the fall of the subsequent school year, which means you can expect the results for your child in fall 2025. The data from these assessments allow District 31 administrators, curriculum coordinators, and teachers to analyze trends over time in order to evaluate overall programming and facilitate continuous improvement of educational programs in District 31.
To ensure District 31 students are able to truly “show what they know”, please make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats breakfast the week(s) of testing. This will help them put forth their best efforts on these state-mandated assessments. Thank you for your partnership!
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Special Education Parent/ Guardian Checklist
If you have a concern about your child’s progress or suspect your child needs specialized instruction or support, follow the steps in the attached Parent/ Guardian Checklist.
Questions: Contact Dr. Janine Gruhn, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services at jgruhn@district31.net.
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Multilingual (ML) Services
The Multilingual Department is excited to announce an important program change for the 2025-2026 school year, in alignment with the D31 Strategic Plan Goal 2. In addition to our current push-in and pull-out programs for multilingual students, we will be introducing two English Language Development (ELD) classrooms for first and second grade students with proficiency levels at Entering or Emerging levels. These classrooms will focus on using content from subjects like science, math, and social studies to build language proficiency, while reinforcing academic vocabulary across disciplines. The program will emphasize oral language development, adapted texts for reading comprehension, and short, structured writing tasks.
This addition will also allow ESL teachers who service first and second grade students above the Emerging proficiency level to concentrate on expanding academic vocabulary, academic sentence structures, and academic oral language discussions. Furthermore, they will implement advanced assessment strategies to better support students' continued language growth. Through this initiative, we aim to help students grow their academic skills, build confidence in their language use, and engage deeply with content, ensuring their success both linguistically and academically.
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