2025 ISBE Career Connections Conference

n an uncertain economy, local industries are fighting to recruit and retain a capable workforce. In response, one innovative collective in Illinois is navigating a course to empower its employable community. Employ Central Illinois (ECI), once a distant aspiration of local educational leaders, will share its strategic vision to converge diverse goals and resources, paving the way for vital career pathways. The ECI region is one of the most disparate areas in the Midwest, where many face systemic challenges. This includes learners who identify as Black or Latina, women from various backgrounds, individuals from low-income households, and first-generation students pursuing higher education. This conference session will be an informative journey exploring Employ Central Illinois' vital discussions, braided funding, and robust infrastructure, all focused on envisioning a promising future for work-based learning in the region. Together, we can reshape the landscape of opportunity for all.

Illinois has been implementing multiple initiatives to reduce the need for developmental (remedial) courses and increase completion including the DERA legislation and the PWR Act. Both impact technical math positively when utilized as intended. This session will focus on how math pathways and corequisite support can be implemented at community colleges to increase student outcomes and experiences in technical math courses. Attendees will learn about colleges using these practices and the impacts.

Stay in touch with offerings from the Illinois Business Education Association (IBEA).  Discover professional development offerings, webinars, mentoring programs, membership, regional affiliates and many more resources available through IBEA.  Great resource for all business and computer science educators.

This presentation focuses on optimizing and completing the nine essential components of a Program of Study submission to ensure a comprehensive, high-quality educational experience that leads to 100% quality achievement. This session should help guide Educator for Employment System Directors (EFE) and administrators to elevate their program and ensure that students achieve their career and academic goals. ISBE staff will also share information about the upcoming roll out of the digital platform to support continuous improvement for each component of the Program of Study Submission system.