What is P-20?
The Illinois P-20 Council was established by the legislature in 2009 to foster collaboration among state agencies, education institutions, local schools, community groups, employers, taxpayers, and families, and to collectively identify needed reforms to develop a seamless and sustainable statewide system of quality education and support. The "P" in our name represents Preschool and "20" stands for grade 20, education after college. We meet quarterly as a Council, and more frequently in committees, to develop a framework to improve the alignment of all our education systems, so that a child's path is smooth from early learning to kindergarten, through high school, and on to career education or college.
Mission
The mission of the Illinois P-20 Council is to deliberate and make recommendations to the Governor, Illinois General Assembly, and state agencies for developing a seamless and sustainable statewide system of quality education and support, from birth through adulthood, to maximize students’ educational attainment, opportunities for success in the workforce, and contributions to their local communities.
Goal
Our goal is to increase the proportion of Illinoisans with high-quality degrees and credentials to 60 percent by the year 2025. Today, only about 41 percent of the state's nearly 7 million working-age adults (25-64 years old) hold at least a two-year degree.
Council Members
The Illinois P-20 Council is composed of members appointed by the Governor representing business leaders, local government, university administrators, school boards, unions, nonprofits, teachers, faculty, independent colleges, and parents. Miguel del Valle is the Council Chair. There are also four legislative members. A full list of members is located below. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is the Chair of the Joint Education Leadership Committee, composed of eight ex-officio members representing the heads of the State Board of Education, the Board of Higher Education, the Community Colleges Board, the Early Learning Council, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Student Assistance Commission, the Illinois Math and Science Academy, and the Illinois Education Research Council.
Staff
Through the University of Illinois, Dr. Lizanne DeStefano serves as the Council Coordinator, with additional staff support from Amber Kirchhoff through the Governor's Office. The Illinois Education Research Council at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville provides research support.
The final meeting date for 2012 is Wednesday, October 24 from 10am - 4pm at the University of Illinois in Urbana.