Reflecting on the collective impact in the Network’s first decade:
The Illinois P-20 Council adopts the goal that 60% of Illinois adults should have a high-quality college degree or postsecondary credential by 2025
LAUNCH
Advance Illinois, Education Systems Center at NIU (EdSystems), and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) join together as Network Organizers to establish the Illinois 60 by 25 Network, to support commuities to increase equitable and meaningful postsecondary attainment
CONVENE
The Network hosts the inaugural annual conference in East Peoria
ALIGN
We establish the Leadership Community designation to drive meaningful and equitable postsecondary attainment and award it to the first six collaboratives: Aurora Regional Pathways to Prosperity, East St. Louis, Lake County, Northwest Educational Council for Student Success (NECSS), Greater Peoria Pathways, and NCI/Starved Rock Region
CONVENE
The annual conference is held in Aurora
INNOVATE
To spark innovation and action of high school career exploration and preparation efforts, grants are awarded to Aurora Regional Pathways, East St. Louis, Lake County, NECSS, and Greater Peoria
ALIGN
We award Leadership Community designation to McLean County and MORE (Making Opportunitues Real in the Mississippi and Rock River Regions)
We launch the Cradle-to-Career Community dashboard
CONVENE
The annual conference is held in Springfield
INNOVATE
To spark healthcare workforce development initiatives, grants are awarded to Aurora Regional Pathways, East St. Louis, NCI/Starved Rock Region, NECSS, and Greater Peoria
The PWR Act is signed into law
ALIGN
We award Leadership Community designation to Chicago Public Schools, Enlace Chicago, OAI/Rich Township District 227, Rockford, and Vermilion County
We launch the Guiding Team to help inform our work and approach
CONVENE
The annual conference is held in Rockford
INNOVATE
To spark transitional math, grants are awarded to East St. Louis, MORE, NCI/Starved Rock Region, NECSS, and Rockford
ALIGN
We award Leadership Community designation to Sangamon County Continuum of Learning
CONVENE
The annual conference is held in Bloomington
INNOVATE
To spark College and Career Pathway Endorsements implementation, grants are awarded to Aurora Regional Pathways, East St. Louis, Enlace Chicago, Lake County, McLean County, MORE, NECSS, OAI/Rich Township, Greater Peoria, Rockford, Springfield, and Vermilion County
ALIGN
We award Leadership Community designation to Vandalia ONE and Evanston
CONVENE
The annual conference is held in Collinsville
INNOVATE
To spark implementation of education pathways aligned to the College & Career Pathway Endorsements, grants are awarded to Chicago Public Schools, District 214, Indian Prairie HSD 204, MORE, Springfield District 186, and Vandalia ONE
ALIGN
Our first Impact Report highlights how Leadership Communities are driving state policy implementation, cross-sector collaboration, and declining remediation rates
CONVENE
The annual conference is held in Elgin
We host webinars to understand community needs and share practices to address challenges brought on by COVID-19
INNOVATE
To spark implementation of education pathways aligned to the College & Career Pathway Endorsements, grants are awarded to East St. Louis High School, Vermilion Vocational Education Delivery System, and Waubonsee Community College
To spark College & Career Pathway Endorsements implementation, grants are awarded to NECSS, Grayslake HS District 127, Springfield District 186, and Vandalia ONE
ALIGN
We award Leadership Communities designation to Boone County and Black Hawk Region Pathways
We launch the Student Advisory Council to better understand students’ lived experiences in the education system and inform strategies to support the transition from high school into postsecondary
CONVENE
The annual conference is held virtually
INNOVATE
To spark implementation of education pathways aligned to the College & Career Pathway Endorsements, grants are awarded to Quad Cities Educator Partnership, Thornton Township High School District 205, Sauk Valley Community College, and Vandalia ONE
ALIGN
We rebrand as the Illinois Education and Career Success Network
We launch the Policy Committee to deepen the connection between policy and practice
500+ high school graduates in Leadership Communities are awarded College & Career Pathway Endorsements
CONVENE
The annual conference is held virtually
Leadership Communities revisit goals and share best practices at two regional meetings
The Network co-hosts a site visit with Greater Peoria Pathways on career exploration events
INNOVATE
To spark the development of currency for College & Career Pathway Endorsements, grants are awarded to Black Hawk, Illinois Valley, Kaskaskia, Sauk Valley, and Southwestern Illinois community colleges
To spark pathways aligned to College & Career Pathway Endorsements, grants are awarded to Chicago Public Schools, Black Hawk Region, District 214, Rockford, Greater Peoria, MORE, and NECSS
ALIGN
The Cradle to Career Dashboard is relaunched as the Leadership Communities Dashboard, offering new, more timely data visualizations to regions
CONVENE
The annual conference is held in Palos Hills
