Boone County Designated a Leadership Community
The Illinois 60 by 25 Network has designated Boone County as a new Leadership Community.
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Leadership Community Updates
MEAC, North Chicago Community High School Share Lessons Learned on Virtual Work-Based Learning
In May, MEAC and North Chicago Community High School presented to the Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network (I-WIN) community on their processes to shift typically in-person WBL events to fully virtual opportunities. https://youtu.be/N4Q1R-yx_Y4 Download the presentation.
NECSS Manufacturing Students Gain Real-World Experience
Golden Corridor Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP) and Acme Industries partnered to bring real-world experiences to a Rolling Meadows High School manufacturing class. This virtual project allowed students to venture inside the inner workings of what it's like to manufacture parts, from receiving the quote to the actual product completion. “The quote…
MORE Graduates Earn Endorsements
This school year, three students from Fulton High School and one from Morrison High School graduated with their College and Career Pathway Endorsement in the education pathway. The schools and their partners continue to expand their pathway development work in education, manufacturing, and agriculture.MORE partners are also exploring registered High School…
MEAC: Growing Summer Internships
The Evanston iKit Summer Internship Program featuring twelve-week paid internships has kicked off with sixteen interns going into local employer locations starting in mid-June. Three more are in the process of being assigned, for a total of nineteen interns that qualified for the internships. This year saw growth in both…
East St. Louis Graduates Earn Scholarships, Associate Degrees
Despite a challenging pandemic year, the East St. Louis Senior High School Class of 2021 collectively earned over $16.6 million in college scholarships.
Words of Advice from the Class of 2021
In our May 2021 meeting of the Student Advisory Council, the departing seniors shared lessons learned and future plans with the underclassmen members. Check out their insights!
What's a Good Job or Career?
In the May 2021 convening of the Student Advisory Council, Juan Jose Gonzalez of Education Systems Center at NIU introduced the concept of the living wage and shared resources for learning more about career opportunities that meet the living wage threshold.
Planning for Life After High School: Tips from the Illinois 60 by 25 Network Student Advisory Council
The Student Advisory Council developed creative ways to share the ISAC Student Portal and the Illinois Postsecondary Profiles tools with their fellow students. Check them out!
Northwest Educational Council for Student Success Pathways Serve Students
Culinary Arts Pathway serves up a learning buffet while Education Pathway winds through classroom experience.
Sauk Valley Community College / MORE Receive CTE Pathway Grant, Expand Opportunities
Sauk Valley Community College, in partnership with Making Opportunities Real for Everyone (MORE) has applied for and was awarded a grant to fund educational pathways for local high school students.
2020-2021 School Year Update: Evanston Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council
This school year, MEAC co-sponsored with Evanston Township High School (ETHS) seven virtual career pathway panel events each attended by 30-50 students and others.
Announcing the Inaugural Student Advisory Council
Council members are from Illinois 60 by 25 Network Leadership communities and bring diverse perspectives. We look forward to working with these outstanding young people to better understand how students across the state experience various initiatives that the Network supports, and understand what kinds of supports would be helpful to students as they navigate the education system.
2021 Conference: Forward Together
We have re-imagined the annual Illinois 60 by 25 Network Conference for 2021. We will bring the high-quality conference content you have counted on since 2014 over four days: February 22–25, 2021.
District 214 Apprentices Gain On-the-Job Experience, Earn College Credit
Now several months into its second year, High School District 214's apprenticeship program is building on the success of its inaugural year by branching out to serve more students in more fields.
North Chicago Community High School Creates Virtual Work-Based Internships
Plans are underway for a virtual work-based internship in the second semester through a WIOA grant received in July 2020.
Mississippi and Rock River Regions Establishing District-Wide Pathway System
A new pathway system is being established so that all district students on any pathway will follow one means for reporting and storing data.
Trauma-Informed Practices Webinar
Representatives from East St. Louis School District 189 and Township High School District 214 in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago shared how they have implemented trauma-informed practices in their districts in partnership with the Illinois Federation of Teachers and community partners.
Trauma-Informed Practices Webinar
Hear about the strategies and resources East St. Louis School District 189 and Township High School District 214 are using to support the needs of students and community members as they deal with challenges related to COVID-19, racial unrest, and adjusting to remote learning.
Health Occupations Program in Vermilion County Launches Virtual Instruction
The Health Occupations instructors at Danville Area Community College (DACC) have been working hard to ensure content delivery still happens if a student is suddenly removed from class or unable to join due to quarantine. The instructors are using Zoom so students can still attend class. However, instead of delivering separate…
Rockford Rolls Out Partnership Resources
In Rockford, partners are working together to prepare students for college, career, and life through the Great Lakes College and Career Pathways Partnership. Read more...You can learn more about the partnership between Alignment Rockford and Rockford Public Schools here, and the partnership between Rockford Public Schools and Rock Valley College…
Peoria Pathways to Prosperity Partners on New GPEAK Initiative
Illinois Central College (ICC), in partnership with Peoria’s CEO Council and Regional Workforce Alliance, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), Jobs for the Future, and Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University (EdSystems), are pleased to announce the launch of Greater Peoria Essential Abilities and Knowledge…
NECSS Student Spotlight
Yennifer Velazquez, an Elk Grove High School grad, completed her first year of college with no student loan debt, thanks to Middle College! When Yennifer Velazquez decided to become a nurse, the Elk Grove High School junior knew she was looking at years of education—and debt. Then she heard about…
NECSS Embarks on Power of 15 Initiative
In August 2014, members of the NECSS partnership embarked on the Power of 15 initiative. The mission of the Power of 15 is to ensure all students graduate high school with one semester of college credit completed. This initiative works to increase the number of dual credit courses offered, the…
McLean Compact Launches New Website, Virtual Becoming BN Program
The McLean Compact brought on two AmeriCorps VISTA members in June, launched a new website at mcleancocompact.org and conducted the Becoming BN program virtually in July. The Compact team plans to conduct a series of Education to Employer Roundtables this fall, and work with the Regional Office of Education and Bloomington…
iKit Summer Internship Program Launches in Evanston
This summer, Evanston Township High School (ETHS), the City of Evanston Youth and Young Adult Division, Evanston Community Foundation, and the Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council (MEAC) launched the iKit Summer Internship Program. Fifteen Class of 2020 graduates interned with nine Evanston Employers in a broad range of career pathways. Ten…
COVID-19 Resource Website Launched
To support communities during COVID-19, the McLean Chamber of Commerce, which serves as the backbone organization for the McLean County Leadership Community, has developed a new, jointly-sponsored website with resources for community access.
Running Start Program Celebrates Nine Graduates
This spring, the East St Louis School District Class of 2020 celebrated nine seniors who earned their associate’s degrees while graduating from high school.
Evanston Offers Virtual Career Readiness Training for High School Seniors
The Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council (MEAC) and its partners in Evanston have been providing virtual career readiness training resources and training to support seniors from Evanston Township High School who are about to graduate.
East St. Louis High School Senior Advances Education and Earns Work Certificate During COVID-19 Pandemic
Arielle Bell earned a college-level certification in Hospitality and Tourism Management before even graduating from high school.
2020 Conference: Agents of Change
Since the Network’s inception, a core tenet has been to focus on opportunities for learning and sharing across communities, which includes our annual conference. "The Illinois 60 by 25 Network Conferences are a time to drink the Kool-Aid together as a team. The conferences are inherently different than meeting in…
Students in East St. Louis Learn to Write Code
With help from SWIC, students learned to design and write code for a CNC machine.
Jobs for Americas Graduates (JAG) Takes Root in East St. Louis
JAG helps high school students discover their individual talents, develop skills, and seize opportunities to achieve their personal potential.
McLean County Update: December 2019
2019 was a busy year in McLean County. They piloted Becoming BN, developed the Education to Employer Summit, launched the Essential Workplace Skills in partnership, and continued work with the College and Career Pathways Endorsements.
Student Encourages Other Youth to Consider Careers in Healthcare
Diana earned the coveted Dr. Helen Nash High School Internship for Excellence in Healthcare.
East St. Louis Senior High School CTE Program Hosts Hair and Car Show
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program at East St. Louis Senior High School hosted an Open House Hair and Car Show on Saturday, September 14, 2019, to highlight student achievements and the exciting CTE opportunities available to the community.
Danville High School Offers Career Services
Tucked away in a corner of the second floor at Danville High School is an office where students can be paired with a job or an internship at a local business.
Program Guides Students to College and Careers
Danville District 118 students will have a better idea about what they would like to do with their life after high school thanks to a newly enhanced Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
D214 Hosts Construction Trades Pathway Development Advisory Team
High School District 214 hosted a Construction Trades Pathway Development Advisory Team in August.
PaCE Framework Event Results in the 1st IL Regional PaCE Model
The LaSalle County Regional Office of Education in partnership with Illinois Valley Community College sponsored a Postsecondary and Career Expectations Framework event for regional educators.
COMPACT Partners with Heartland Community College to Develop an Essential Workplace Skills Curriculum
With grant funding assistance from EdSystems, committees are working to complete education and training pathways and stackable credentials in identified industry clusters.
Weisner Family Center for Career Development Opens in Aurora
The new Weisner Family Center for Career Development at Aurora West School District 129 opening on August 29, 2019. The center helps support the Pathways to Prosperity Project and gives high school students exposure to different career pathways. The space includes four bays for learning precision machining and welding. Read…
RVC Holds Dual Credit Boot Camp
Rock Valley College (RVC) conducted their dual credit boot camp for MET 100 (Introductory CAD and Print Reading).
MORE Community Update
Whiteside Area Career Center has expanded credentialing and dual credit for coursework taken at the Center and has increased student enrollment by over 100 students compared to 2018.
Peoria Hosts Delegation from Puerto Rico
Peoria partners recently hosted a 15-person delegation of Puerto Rican mayors, employers, and educators to learn about Pathways to Prosperity program.
D214 Launches 5 Registered Youth Apprenticeships
District 214 has started 5 registered youth apprenticeships in 3 career areas: Cybersecurity, Automotive Technology, and HVAC.
MORE Region Expands Internship Program, STEM/Robotics Activities
A lot has been happening in the MORE region including expansion of the multicraft internship program (MEIP), and STEM/Robotics activities.
2019 Conference: Informing Action, Improving Outcomes
This year’s 60 by 25 Conference featured many dynamic speakers from Illinois and across the country. Our engaging keynote speakers, Vela Institute, provided an interactive session on how local communities can use data to inform their goals and improve their work. Network Partners and dozens of speakers from across the…
NECSS Hosts Suburbanization of Poverty Summit
NECSS hosted a summit on the Suburbanization of Poverty on Friday, November 9th at Harper College.
MORE Communities Focus on High School Endorsements, Robotics
In the MORE communities, representatives from area employers, higher education, and K-12 schools are meeting and creating a model/template for high school endorsements in agriculture, manufacturing, and education.
Innovate Springfield Joins University of Illinois Springfield and Becomes First Hub of Illinois Innovation Network
Innovate Springfield, the intermediary organization for the Sangamon County Continuum of Learning, is now a unit of the University of Illinois Springfield and has been named as the first hub of the statewide Illinois Innovation Network.
McLean County Update: September 2018
Over the last several months the McLean County Compact action teams have developed a logic model that outlines resources, activities, products and outcomes related to joint goals, including the 60 by 25 goal.
River Bend Adopts PaCE Framework
Through a collaborative process that included administrators, teachers and other stakeholders, River Bend Community Unit District #2, which is in the MORE Leadership Community, has adapted the PaCE Framework.
Thrive Chicago Announces Latest Investments for Opportunity Youth
At Thrive Chicago’s Opportunity Youth Summit on May 24, 2018, Mayor Emanuel, DFSS, and Thrive Chicago Announced the latest investments to advance 10 citywide recommendations on opportunity youth.
Peoria Pathways to Prosperity Completes Pilot Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship
The Peoria Pathways to Prosperity team and its partners completed a pilot manufacturing pre-apprenticeship and are scaling it to engage approximately 40 students across four school districts and multiple manufacturing employers for AY 2018.
Robotics and Engineering Olympics Event Draws 21+ High School Teams
On April 14, 2018, Southworks organized a Robotics and Engineering Olympics event featuring SUMO, Autonomous Racer, S Bricks, and Pathfinder competitions.
Local Manufacturer Presents Internship Opportunities at Area High School
Fulton High School recently invited Timkin Drives, a local manufacturer to meet with graduating seniors to present the Timkin/Sauk Multicraft Intern opportunity as part of the region’s Multicraft Extended Internship Program.
Walking Across Two Stages
Montez Holton, Valedictorian of the East St. Louis Senior High School Class of 2018, walked across two stages in May: earning a high school diploma and associate’s degree.
Vermillion Advantage Expands Career Advising & WIOA Grant Comes to Vermilion County
Danville Area Community College and Vermilion County Works secured a WIOA grant to create short-term training opportunities in manufacturing. Plus, Vermilion Advantage has taken steps to strengthening the career advisor process.
D214 Develops PaCE Framework for Counselors
The framework provides counselors with a tool that indicates what is expected for students to ensure they are making progress on meeting college and career readiness standards.
McLean County Community COMPACT Merges with BN Advantage Workforce Development Task Force
The McLean County 60 by 25 Network leadership team has taken a big step to strengthen their efforts toward the 60 by 25 goal.
2018 Conference: Scaling for Impact
Equity, innovation and scaling impact emphasized at 5th Annual 60 by 25 Network Conference Jocelyn Sharif has been interested in cooking since she was a young child watching the Food Network with her parents. “I was a shy child,” said Jocelyn, “and cooking was a way to express myself.” Now…
McLean County 60 by 25 Network Collaboration Grows, Hires Coordinator
Fifteen collaborative entities are now formally involved in strategic planning regarding the 60 by 25 goal in McLean County.
HPEC Community Update
With funding from the Telligen Community Initiative, HPEC established strategic partnerships with regional healthcare employers to better align education and training with the regional workforce needs in health informatics. This work includes increasing awareness for and the adoption of apprenticeship programs that benefit both students and employers.
McLean County Adopts 60 by 25 Goal
In McLean County, over a dozen education, employer, and community entities adopted the 60 by 25 goal and have made it part of their strategic planning toward workforce development.
Dual Credit CTE Program Launches in Vermilion County
In Vermilion County, the dual credit Career and Technical Education program known as College Express started on August 21st.
Peoria Pathways to Prosperity Featured in Local Magazine
The initial success of Peoria Pathways to Prosperity has drawn attention as a promising demonstration of the community’s capacity to embrace change to meet the challenges ahead. This success was highlighted recently in Peoria Magazine.
Promoting Libraries as Learning Centers
The Starved Rock Region is focused on promoting libraries as learning centers to support their 60 by 25 goal.
HPEC Community Update
In AY 2016-17, HPEC provided healthcare career exploration field trips to students from 11 high schools, and 63 students from four high schools participated in healthcare simulation cases in the Rosalind Franklin University Simulation Laboratory. HPEC also provided information on careers in health informatics to more than 300 students, and partnered…
Peoria Update: June 2017
In AY 2016-17 Peoria Pathways to Prosperity placed sixty interns at 16 unique employers.
McLean County Embarks on Strategic Planning to Support 60 by 25 Goal
The McLean County Leadership Community effort is utilizing existing structures to promote the 60 by 25 goal, while embarking on a comprehensive strategic planning process that will help it to streamline and leverage its education to careers efforts more effectively.
First Illinois Energy Efficient Vehicle Competition Held
Districts 211 and 214, working with partners in the Golden Corridor, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, and employers across the region, held the first Illinois Energy Efficient Vehicle Competition on May 8th.
2017 Conference: The Power of Networks
Thank you to the presenters, attendees, sponsors, and staff who participated in the 2016 Illinois 60 by 25 Network Meeting! Conference Materials 60 by 25 – The State We're In Ginger Ostro, Executive Director, Advance Illinois Opportunity – A Promise Worth Keeping Chekemma Fulmore-Townsend, President & CEO of the Philadelphia Youth…
2016 Conference: From Vision to Action
Thank you to the presenters, attendees, sponsors, and staff who participated in the 2016 Illinois 60 by 25 Network Meeting! Conference MaterialsEducation is Everyone’s Business: Engaging Business to Build a Community Learning SystemJack Hess, Institute for Coalition BuildingJohn Burnett, Community Education CoalitionThe Power of Two: Starting or Expanding Dual Credit…