Resources & Research
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Below are several resources and various forms of research which are used to drive many of the initiatives in East Peoria Elementary District 86 as well as organizations which are directly connected with Dr. Estes and his work in education.
In February of 2014 the Illinois State Board of Education adopted new science standards for all K-12 public schools based on the Next Generation Science Standards. School districts around the state have worked diligently to define what those standards will mean for students in their individual districts, and District 86 has been no different.
Next Generation Science Standards
History, geography, economics and civics are all important subjects to any well-rounded education. District 86 will focus on these areas as we work towards implementing the Illinois Social Science Standards that were adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education in January of 2016.
Illinois Social Science Standards
Much has been said for and against the Common Core Standards, but this document published by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development addresses information and misinformation about the new standards.
"Myths and Facts: The Common Core Standards" - ASCD Article
Dr. Estes focuses a great deal of attention on the tasks that students are asked to complete during instruction. This 2010 article by Marc Chun discusses performance tasks and their use to engage and educate students in the classroom.
"Taking Teaching to Task" - Marc Chun (2010)
Our local assessment, Measures of Academic Progress, looks at growth - where students are at the beginning of the year, where they need to be at the end of the year, and where they actually are at the end of the year. MAP also provides educators with normative data based on millions of schools around the country who take MAP. This normative data can give educators and parents where students should be scoring, on the average, in comparison to their grade level peers. East Peoria District 86 does focus more on the personal growth of the student, but the norm data is still a valid piece of information to have when categorizing students into their grade levels.
Rigorous educative practices stretch the minds and potential of students no matter what level they might be on. Research by Norman Webb gives educators a chance to evaluate and construct learning activities that meet the rigor students need. This document includes the Webb's circular chart (a snapshot) with the addition of the 2009 document describing Webb's DOK in more detail.
Connect with the ISBE website to access state public school governance information.
Illinois State Board of Education
The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) website provides information concerning our local benchmark assessment, the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP).
Northwest Evaluation Association
East Peoria Elementary District 86 is well-served by our local ROE. This website lists information about ROE 53 as well as a link to our local service center, Mid-Illini Educational Cooperative.
Tazewell County Regional Office of Education 53
Through this website will provide background information concerning the new Illinois Common Core Standards adopted in June of 2010 by the State of Illinois. District 86 is currently involved in an extensive transition to the Common Core Standards.
Here you can find a brief overview of what educational leaders mean by the term, "21st Century Skills."
This document will outline the extensive study into literacy by the Alliance for Educational Excellence.
This document will outline the extensive study into writing by the Alliance for Educational Excellence.
As a member of IASA, school district administrators can stay connected through an active network of other administrators around the state.
Illinois Association of School Administrators
IL ASCD is one of our primary links to the latest developments in curriculum and instruction. Dr. Estes serves as a regional representative for this group serving the counties of Tazewell, Logan, Mason, Menard, and Peoria.
Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
The CAC protects the rights of children who have been the unfortunate victims of abuse. Providing an inviting and safe environment for child victims in order to investigate wrong-doing, the CAC has faithfully served to benefit the children in our county. Dr. Estes serves as a member of the advisory board of this group.
Tazewell Children's Advocacy Center
This information from Patricia Kain at the Harvard University Writing Center describes what "close" reading is and some strategies on how "close" reading requires students to think at a higher cognitive level.
Close Reading Research from Harvard University
Researcher Bill Daggett has written a great deal about how to maintain the high level of rigor and relevance to today's students. This summary by Daggett helps explain this framework.
