North Cook ISC Releases Annual Report
The North Cook Intermediate Service Center (ISC) / Regional Office of Education #5 recently released its annual report for the 2019-2020 school year to its Governing Board. When the pandemic closed schools in spring 2020, North Cook ISC offered critical support to school districts and their leaders with important Covid-19 information and resources and best practices for curriculum and instruction under very difficult remote learning conditions.
According to Dr. Kevin Jauch, Executive Director and Regional Superintendent of North Cook ISC, the primary function of the Center is to provide professional development for educators in the northern Cook County public school districts it serves.
In addition, North Cook ISC (NCISC) handles student truancy and homeless issues, educator licensure, supports and monitors school construction and renovation projects, and systematically reviews and inspects school facilities and operations to ensure compliance with mandated standards for health and safety and incorporation of current State laws into their practices.
Professional Development
In spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, North Cook ISC conducted 20 workshops for educators, 23 Administrator Academy courses, 12 customized in-district or virtual trainings/consultations, and held multiple in-person or virtual networking and informational sessions for various district employee groups, including Curriculum and Instruction, Technology Directors, and Buildings and Grounds staff.
Principal Mentoring
North Cook ISC also offered principal and assistant principal mentoring services to 12 new administrators during FY20. Third-Party Professional Development Providers, under the supervision of NCISC, held 39 other workshop sessions for local educators.
Teacher Licensure
NCISC is the local licensure and endorsement expert to help educators obtain and register their Professional Educator License with the Illinois State Board of Education. During the 2019-20 school year, NCISC issued more than 2,800 licenses and performed background checks and fingerprinting services for 844 individuals.
Regional Safe School
North Cook Young Adult Academy (NCYAA) shares the same site as North Cook ISC in Des Plaines. It is a Regional Safe Schools Program for at-risk students in grades 6-12 who have multiple suspensions or are pending expulsion from their home schools. Last year, NCYAA provided a safe and inclusive learning environment for 51 students that came from seven high school districts and the middle schools of the North Cook elementary school districts.
Bus Driver Training
North Cook ISC provides services that allow school bus drivers to remain current with the Secretary of State's rules and regulations. All Cook County and Chicago Public Schools bus driver training, including initial and annual refresher courses, is managed by NCISC.
In total, North Cook ISC is responsible for 32 elementary and 6 high school districts, plus 4 Special Education Co-Operatives. It serves more than 900 public school administrators, almost 11,000 teachers, and 147,000 students. For more information, see www.ncisc.org.
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