Illinois Birth-to-Third Grade (B3) Continuity Conference

Sustained and aligned early childhood programs, birth through third grade (B-3), have the potential to be an educational game-changer. To support this work, the Illinois Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (OECD), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the Center for the Study of Education Policy (CSEP), is pleased to announce an opportunity for community and school leaders to participate in the Illinois Birth Through Third Grade (B-3) Continuity Conference.

The Illinois Birth-to-Third (B-3) Continuity Project is hosting its fourth annual conference. The B-3 Conference is open to school districts and community leaders working towards birth-to-third grade alignment strategies in their community. Communities are encouraged to come as teams with representatives from early childhood, K-12 schools, and the broader community. As the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has placed emphasis on the importance of an aligned B-3 system within Preschool for All Communities, entities holding Preschool Expansion Grants and Preschool for All Expansion Grants should be included within applying communities.

Conference Themes: This conference is collaboratively planned by CSEP, ISBE and OECD to build the capacity of early childhood and elementary education staff to provide informed leadership about research-based practices to develop an effective system of supports and services for children birth through third grade.

1. Expand knowledge of developmentally appropriate educational practices across the birth through third grade continuum with a focus on sustainable and cost-effective implementation that involves leveraging resources among schools and the community to build a continuum of high-quality early learning environments.
2. Enhance their understanding of the structures, practices and supports needed to increase alignment within and across communities and school districts to best support children and families, including family engagement that continues into the early grades, supported transitions, data-driven improvement, joint professional development, curriculum and instruction, assessments, comprehensive services and community partnerships.
3. Identify technical assistance needs and resources to enhance their community’s capacity and to prepare and support children and families from birth through third grade.
4. Learn from experts and colleagues in an inclusive and dynamic forum to network, share information and build skills.

The B-3 Continuity Conference is open to school districts and community leaders working towards birth-to-third grade alignment strategies in their community. Communities are encouraged to come as teams with representatives from early-childhood, K-12 schools, and the broader community. As the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has placed emphasis on the importance of an aligned B-3 system within Preschool for All Communities, entities holding Preschool Expansion Grants and Preschool for All Expansion Grants should be included within applying communities. A lead organization should collaborate with partners to submit an application with all attendees from their community.

We have currently reached capacity for the conference but are taking inquires for a wait-list. We do anticipate that additional slots may be opened up. If you would like to be added to the wait-list please contact Ashley Long at amlong3@IllinoisState.edu - you should include information about your community partnership and information about the team members you would like to bring.

There are no fees for attending the conference, but participants are responsible for their own up-front travel costs and meals (no meals are provided by the conference). A block of rooms at discounted rates has been reserved at the Double Tree Hotel in Bloomington, IL. The room block is under the "Birth through Third Grade Conference". Rooms are available at a discounted rate of $70/night plus tax – rooms should be booked by 5/23/18. Participants will need to book and pay for room on their own; however, those participants that are from Preschool Expansion Grant communities are eligible to submit reimbursement for their hotel the night of 6/13/18 (forms will be provided at the conference for this). Please note that after 5/23/18 room rates increase to $149/night plus tax and we are only able to reimburse at the $70 rate. Participants are responsible for all other travel costs.

Districts or communities are encouraged to bring a team of 2-5 stakeholders to the Conference. Communities that are working with multiple districts may bring a team composed of educators and community members representing the community work as a whole. Examples of appropriate team members include: superintendent/assistant superintendent, school board member, elementary principal, kindergarten and PreK-teachers, child care center directors, Head Start director, Early Childhood coordinator, Community Schools Resource Coordinator, Innovation Zone Coordinator, Before/After School partners, community-based partner(s), municipal staff, United Way staff.

Agenda and Speaker List

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Thursday, June 14, 2018