The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) reconfigured a new grade span configuration that will enhance teacher preparation, practice, and efficacy, including deeper content knowledge and use of developmentally appropriate practices.  Statewide committees developed new program standards for teacher education endorsement programs in early childhood, elementary, and middle schools grade spans.  The Early Childhood Advisory Group (ECAG) was developed to help guide changes in teacher education for early childhood endorsement programs (birth-grade 2).  Illinois State University’s Center for the Study of Education Policy (CSEP) has facilitated ECAG work on behalf of ISBE.  ECAG is represented among stakeholders across the early learning continuum, including community and school-based sites, community college faculty, and four-year universities.
ECAG's work began in November of 2011 and continued through April 2012. While the grade span configuration was being determined and EMAG standards drafted, ECAG took a one year hiatus and resumed in March 2013.  The documents included on this webpage include a powerpoint presentation and multiple documents that present the final recommendations and program content standards that were adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education.

• Early Childhood Advisory Group Presentation for Regional Higher Education Meetings
• Early Childhood Advisory Group Assessment Standards
• Early Childhood Advisory Group ELA Standards
• Early Childhood Advisory Group Math Standards
• Early Childhood Advisory Group Science and Social Studies Standards
• Final Recommendations of the Illinois ECAG's for the rules overseeing Early Childhood Endorsement Programs
• Illinois State Board of Education's Peer Review Team Training