Illinois to Receive Nearly $2 Million in Federal Grants to Bolster School Safety
Program puts focus on comprehensive efforts, mental health services
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois will receive nearly $2 million in federal grants that aim to improve safety in the classroom through both emergency management and comprehensive prevention efforts that address students’ social and emotional needs. The funds, funneled through two U.S. Department of Education grants, reflect ongoing state and national efforts to better prepare for school emergencies as well to improve methods of discipline and support for struggling students.
“All Illinois students deserve a safe and supportive environment to learn and grow,†Governor Quinn said. “These federal investments will improve the quality and safety of our schools and also ensure students in need have every opportunity for success.â€
The U.S. Department of Education awarded Illinois with two school-related grants:
·        The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will receive $1,098,250 in funding for up to 18 months through the School Emergency Management Grant Program to help school districts develop and implement high-quality school emergency operations plans.
·        The U.S. Department of Education’s School Climate Transformation Grant Program funds comprehensive efforts to reduce school violence through mental health services. In Illinois, nearly $800,000 will be distributed over the course of five years to the following three districts: Alton Community Unit School District 11 in Alton ($255,170), Zion Elementary School District 6 in Zion ($214,973) and Sandoval Community Unit School District 501 in Sandoval ($320,965).
Under the School Emergency Management Grant Program, Illinois will provide or expand training and technical assistance to school districts. ISBE is working in partnership with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to improve safety in schools. These two agencies will establish the Illinois Educational Safety & Security Center (IESSC) to serve as clearinghouse for best practices, technical assistance and training.
“These funds reflect an investment in safety and greater academic success,’’ said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. “Developing positive school climates and improving school discipline policies and practices are critical steps to raising academic achievement and supporting student success.â€
The School Climate Transformation Grant Program is designed to help school districts develop, enhance or expand systems of support for implementing evidence-based, multi-tiered plans for improving behavioral outcomes and learning conditions for students. The program also seeks to connect students and families to support services that can help improve conditions for learning and behavioral outcomes and increase awareness of mental health issues. School districts will use funding through this program to implement models for reform that address the school-to-prison pipeline, policies and practices that push schoolchildren, especially those who are most at risk, out of classrooms and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems.
While there is no single formula for doing so, a broad range of high-achieving schools often implement a number of common approaches to create safe and supportive conditions for learning. Such schools take deliberate steps to create positive school climates and prevent student misbehavior; ensure that clear, appropriate and consistent expectations and consequences are in place to prevent and address misbehavior; and cultivate an expectation of continuous improvement driven by data and analysis to ensure fairness and equity for all students.
Additional Resources
Additional resources can be found online at:
http://www.isbe.net/learningsupports/html/classroom-mgmt.htm
http://www.restorativejustice.org/programme-place/02practiceissues/schools-1
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/school-discipline/guiding-principles.pdf
