State Board of Education Member to Receive NASBE Award

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Dr. Vinni Hall to be granted National Public Service Honor on Oct. 17

Vinni-Hall (2)SPRINGFIELD, IL — The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) will present Dr. Vinni M. Hall, Illinois State Board of Education Secretary, with the NASBE 2014 Distinguished Service Award on Friday, Oct. 17. Dr. Hall was selected for the award along with three other state education leaders from around the country. The national award is presented annually to state board of education members in order to recognize exceptional service to public education.

“I admire Dr. Hall’s unwavering dedication and commitment to Illinois students and teachers,” said State Board of Education Chairman Gery J. Chico.  “Dr. Hall sets high goals for public education in Illinois and has devoted her life; both her professional and personal time, to help schools, educators and students perform at their best.”

Dr. Hall lives in Chicago and has served on the State Board since September 2004. With more than 30 years of education experience as both an instructor and administrator in Illinois, Dr. Hall brings her diverse experience, strong commitment to student learning and a valuable perspective to the Board.

Through her work to connect assessments with instruction, advance career and technical education in the state and develop partnerships that support students and their families, Dr. Hall has played a key role in major Illinois education initiatives. Dr. Hall was also instrumental in the adoption of the new Illinois Learning Standards and the newly revised teacher and principal evaluations that now include performance and written components for more meaningful evaluations.

“She is constantly asking thoughtful questions to ensure that the programs and services provided are of a high caliber,” wrote Chairman Chico and State Superintendent Koch in their nominating letter. “Her presence on the board has been unmatched.”

Additionally, as an active NASBE member, Hall has participated in NASBE’s English Language Learners, Early Childhood Education and Career and Technology Study Groups. She was also recently appointed to the School Structure Study Group.

In addition to serving as the Board secretary for the past 10 years, Dr. Hall has attended nearly every regular and many special Board meetings. She has served as a liaison to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Poverty Commission and the Illinois Early Learning Council to where she also serves as a member. Dr. Hall serves on the Illinois State Board of Education’s Diverse Educator Advisory Group as well as the Erikson Institute’s Reducing Achievement Gaps in Illinois Task Force.

Community and regional education organizations often seek Dr. Hall’s expertise. She has served as a judge for the Alternative School Film Festival (3 years), Chicago Tribune Essay Competition (6 years), Metra School Safety Calendar, and Healthy School Campaign’s Cooking up Change Competition. She can also be found engaging the community with her remarks and presentations to organizations such as World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA), Parent Teacher Association (PTA), FFA, Illinois Statewide Summit for Bilingual Parents, and the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA). Dr. Hall can often be found in the state’s capitol appearing before the General Assembly to support the Board’s recommended budget for K-12 education funding.

Dr. Hall previously served as a consultant to Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Illinois Center for Education and Rehabilitation. She was also an Associate Professor/Special Education Chair at Chicago State University and Director of the Inclusive Schools Project for Chicago Public Schools. She began her teaching career at CPS in 1967.

The two additional recipients of the NASBE 2014 Distinguished Service Award are Allan Taylor of Connecticut and Patrick “Buzz” Guida of Rhode Island. NASBE is a nonprofit association based in Arlington, Va., that represents state and territorial boards of education. For more information, visit http://www.nasbe.org/.

The State Board of Education consists of nine members who are appointed by the Governor, with consent of the Senate. The Board sets educational policies and guidelines for public and private schools, preschool through grade 12. It analyzes the aims, needs and requirements of education and recommends legislation to the General Assembly and Governor for the benefit of more than 2 million schoolchildren in Illinois.

For the latest news from the Illinois State Board of Education, follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Illinois-State-Board-of-Education/136022251779 or Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/ISBEnews. Visit the official ISBE website at http://www.isbe.net.

Photo: Dr. Vinni Hall


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