THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
OF ELMHURST, ILLINOIS

Education Study Meetings and Information

The Elmhurst League of Women Voters is participating in the 2011 Education Study. The scope of the study, as adopted by the League of Women Voters US Board, states: The Education Study scope is broad and includes the following areas under the role of the federal government in public education (preK through grade 12): the history, funding and equity issues which are addressed under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and the common core standards/assessments which are required for many federal grant programs but are national, not federal. The culminating position will address only those issues delineated in the scope.

Although the study focuses on the federal government, the original intent of the study included the Common Core Standards. These were written and funded by the National Governors' Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Historically, we have always had national standards written by the teaching organizations, such as the National Council of Teachers of Math and the National Council of Teachers of English. The discussion here, however, will focus on how these new standards called, Common Core State Standards, will be used by the federal government.

Please be aware of the following meeting dates:

• November 10, 2011, at Elmhurst College: We will address some of the study issues.
  

Hosted by Elmhurst College, in the Bryant room of the Frick Center at 7:00 p.m., guest speakers Dr. Charles Johns, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and Mr. Christopher Whelton, Assistant Superintendent for Finance.

You are encouraged to invite your friends, neighbors and interested parties to this meeting.

Links to additional information and study aids:

To view the Public Education Study Consensus Questions, which will be used to facilitate the consensus meeting, go to http://www.lwvelmhurst.org/PublicEd_Consensus2011Questions.pdf.

For more information about the study, and to access the live web links for the Study Resources, go to the State League's website at: http://www.lwvil.org/2011EducationStudy.asp.

A look at the impact of Illinois' fiscal crisis on our own communities.

How does the Illinois fiscal crisis affect you and your neighbors?

The Elmhurst League, along with others across the state, surveyed a variety of local governmental entities, not for profit agencies, and private sector providers to find out where state shortfalls are and how these groups are coping with late and/or reduced funding. Please click here to review our summary of the survey results. The League also hosted several survey respondents at our January Meeting so that the public could learn the impact on local government entities and social service organizations.

Read an overview of Elmhurst Cool Cities' history and activities, and the Elmhurst Cool Cities Pledge. You can help by taking the Cool Cities Pledge yourself and making a personal commitment to keep our environment at the forefront of your daily activities.

Green Fest in Elmhurst

When held, the goal of Green Fest is to educate our community on ways individuals can reduce their tCO2e footprint (Carbon footprint) through fun, hands-on exhibits, interesting speakers, and the introduction of eco-friendly products and services. Pictures of our members at the 2010 Green Fest can be found on LWV Elmhurst's Home page.

Click here, to view Elmhurst's Energy and Emissions Profile, which provides information about how energy is consumed by the residents and businesses in Elmhurst, and to help us prioritize strategies for energy efficiency and conservation.

Here's what the Illinois Constitution says about the environment:

SECTION 1. PUBLIC POLICY - LEGISLATIVE RESPONSIBILITY The public policy of the State and the duty of each person is to provide and maintain a healthful environment for the benefit of this and future generations. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the implementation and enforcement of this public policy.

SECTION 2. RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS Each person has the right to a healthful environment. Each person may enforce this right against any party, governmental or private, through appropriate legal proceedings subject to reasonable limitation and regulation as the General Assembly may provide by law.