Regional Office of Education #40

Services

Administrative Academies
Bus Drivers
Career & Technical Education System
Community Colleges/Universities
ELL
Fingerprinting/Background Checks
GED
Gifted Program
Home Schooling
Illinois State Board of Education – ISBE
Mentoring
Safe School
Special Eeducation Co-ops
Starlab
Truancy
Work Permits

Administrative Academies
All individuals employed in positions requiring a Type 75 Illinois Administrative Certificate are required to attend annual specialized professional/leadership development seminars. Don Stuckey coordinates academies for the Regional Office of Education #40. Please check the event calendar for a list of academies scheduled. You can contact Mr. Stuckey at donstuckey@frontiernet.net or at the Jerseyville ROE office at 618-498-5541.
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Bus Drivers:
Requirements for becoming a bus driver

8 HOUR INITIAL COURSE

New Bus Drivers are required to attend an 8-hour training course.
Pre-register with the Regional Office of Education ($4.00 fee required)
Must be employed by a Bus company or School District

2 HOUR REFRESHER COURSE

Bus Drivers are required to take a 2-Hour refresher course each year to keep their permit current
Drivers must pre-register with the Regional Office of Education ($4.00 fee required)
Training is usually given each month. There is no set schedule.

QUESTIONS

Jerseyville Regional Office
618-498-5541
Carlinville Regional Office
217-854-4016

** Please check the ROE Event Calendar for the schedule of training courses offered at either of the ROE offices.
** Check the following web site for courses scheduled in the surrounding area:
http://www.iarss.org/ - Bus Driver Training
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Career & Technical Education System:
Coming soon, please check back!
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Community Colleges/Universities:
For a complete list of Community Colleges & Universities in Illinois follow the link below: http://www.ibhe.org/InstitutionProfiles/Institutions.aspx
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ELL:
English Language Learner
Coming soon, please check back!
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Fingerprinting/Background Checks:
Effective August 12, 2004, Public Act 93-909 amended Sections 10-21.9* and 34-18.5 of the Illinois School Code [105 ILCS 5/10-21.9; 105 ILCS 5/34-18.5] to require school districts to perform a fingerprint-based criminal history records check (also referred to as a “background check”) on all certified and non-certified applicants for employment with a school district. The criminal history records check must be initiated prior to employment, but a school district may permit the individual to be hired and begin employment pending the outcome of the criminal history records check. “Initiated” means the applicant’s fingerprint image has been transmitted via LiveScan to the Illinois State Police and FBI. Employees hired prior to August 12, 2004 are not required under the School Code to submit to a fingerprint-based criminal history records check.

Fingerprint-based criminal history records checks apply to all the same individuals as the former Illinois name-based criminal background check. For example, all teachers at charter schools and substitutes that apply to be hired are required to submit to this fingerprint check. “Substitutes” includes, but is not limited to, substitute teachers, aides, playground monitors, kitchen staff, etc. See 105 ILCS 5/10-21.9 for complete listing. Additionally, any employee(s) of persons or firms holding contracts with any school district who have “direct, daily contact” with any students must submit to fingerprint-based criminal history records checks. Bus drivers who are not employed directly by the school district, student teachers and volunteers are not subject to this fingerprint check (bus drivers are separately checked as part of their licensure), but a school district may require a student teacher or parent volunteer to submit to a fingerprint-based background check, where appropriate, under the Adam Walsh Act or UCIA, per district policy.

Please contact the Regional Office of Education #40 to schedule an appointment:
Carlinville 217-854-4016
Jerseyville 618-498-5541
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GED:
General Education Development

GED candidates must register in advance in person at either of the ROE #40 sites from
8:30 a.m – 3:30 p.m, Monday - Friday
(APPLICANTS CANNOT REGISTER THE DAY OF THE TEST)

DEADLINES FOR REGISTERING:
CARLINVILLE –ONE DAY PRIOR TO TESTING DATE ***
JERSEYVILLE –FRIDAY PRIOR TO TESTING DATE***
*** (if seats are still available)

Carlinville: 220 North Broad Street 217-854-4016
Test administered on the third Thursday of each month
Testing site can accommodate 9 test takers
Jerseyville: 303 West Exchange Street 618-498-5541
Test administered on the first Wednesday of each month
Testing site can accommodate 8 test takers

GED Applicant Instructions

Applicant age requirements:

17 years of age or older
Have maintained residence in the State of Illinois for at least 30 days
Are not a high school or GED graduates. Note: If an individual is of school age and has been enrolled in a public, private, or a home schooling setting in the last 12 months, they must present a withdrawal letter from the last school enrolled before taking the GED test.
Special circumstances may apply to the above rule; call either GED site for additional information or questions on exceptions.

Registration fee:

$35.00 cash – No Checks or Credit Cards
Effective July 1, 2009, the GED testing fee will increase to $50.00. Individuals taking the GED test on or after July 1st will be charged the new GED testing fee of $50.00. Individuals registering prior to July 1st, 2009 to take the test on or after July 1st will also be charged the $50 testing fee.

Retesting Fees effective as of July 1st, 2009:

$50 – Full Battery
Individual Test:

$15 – Language Arts, Writing *
$10 – Language Arts, Reading
$10 – Social Studies
$10 - Science
$10 - Mathematics

*Note: The higher cost of the Language Arts, Writing test is due to the cost of the holistic scoring of the essay.

Identification:

Must show a current photo I.D. (driver’s license or official card from the Secretary of State’s Office)
Proof of having passed the Constitution test. Constitution test may be taken the day of the test or at either of the Adult Learning Centers before or after the testing date. Call Carlinville 217-854-3913; Jerseyville 618-498-6874 to set up an appointment.

Official Transcript/GED Certificate

Obtaining Results: Testing results will be mailed to you. Upon completion of GED requirements one free Official Transcript will be issued with the GED Certificate/High School Equivalency Certificate.
Additional official transcripts are $3.00 each.
Duplicate GED certificates/High School Equivalency Certificate are $10.00 each.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Applicants will receive detailed instructions on the Cancellation Policy at the time of registration. If you have any questions, call 217-854-4016 OR 618-498-5541.

NO SHOW POLICY: You will be asked to re-apply and pay the entire fee again if you fail to show on the day you are scheduled to test. * Re-applying and additional fees will also apply towards cancellation – details given at time of registration.

TAKING THE TEST:

You must arrive at your test site by 7:45 a.m. If you are late, you will not be able to take the test, and will receive a NO SHOW.
You must have photo identification, or you will not be able to take the test.
IDENTIFICATION: The GED examination is a federally regulated test. All certified testing sites are required to ensure accurate identification of each person tested. Photo identification is required for this purpose. Acceptable forms of photo I.D. include a current, valid Illinois Drivers License or a valid state issued I.D. card. Persons without this type of identification may obtain a photo I.D. from any Illinois Drivers License Examination Station. Persons who have temporarily surrendered their driver’s license would also be advised to obtain a photo I.D. from the Illinois Drivers License Station.

ITEMS AT THE TESTING SITE:

GED Examinees are not permitted to bring purses, tote bags, pager, cell phones, portable music players, hand-held electronics, calculators, food items, textbooks (including dictionaries), notebooks, supplies, jackets or coats, hats, or other non-essential items to their seats in the testing room.
CALCULATORS: Only the calculators provided at the test site may be used on Part I on the Math Test.

In the event of bad weather where schools would be closed, please tune in to WSMI Radio, Channel 20, Springfield, and/or Channel 5, St. Louis. Test takers will be contacted regarding rescheduling.
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Gifted Program:
2010 OLYMPIAD GUIDELINES
2010 Gifted Olympiads Registration Form

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Home Schooling:
Coming soon, please check back!
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ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION – ISBE
100 North First Street, Springfield, IL 62777-0001
217-782-2221
www.isbe.net
The Illinois State Board of Education will provide leadership, assistance, resources and advocacy so that every student is prepared to succeed in careers and postsecondary education, and share accountability for doing so with districts and schools.

GOALS-
GOAL 1:  Every student will demonstrate academic achievement and be prepared for success after high school.
GOAL 2:  Every student will be supported by highly prepared and effective teachers and school leaders.
GOAL 3:  Every school will offer a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.
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Mentoring:
ROE # 40 is a recipient of the ISBE Beginning Teacher Induction grant that will service the needs of our fifteen school districts.
Beginning Teacher- Mentor Grant Highlights

On the national and state level, new teacher retention is a major educational concern. Statistics indicate a large number of new teachers leave the teaching profession the first five years.
ROE #40 (Calhoun, Greene, Jersey and Macoupin County) has received a three year state grant to provide teacher mentoring for beginning teachers to improve new teacher retention.
ROE #40 has trained 124 district teachers to be mentors. In this school year, mentors will provide services to over 58 new beginning teachers. These trained mentors will continue to provide mentoring service for new teachers in future years.
ROE #40 is providing a series of professional development workshops and materials for the beginning teachers.

Contact Information: Ron Rull, Coordinator rrull@roe40.com
Kathi Rhodus, Trainer krhodus@roe40.com
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Safe School:
Regional Safe Schools Program
Serving Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin Counties
Information: Carlinville (217-854-9542) and Jerseyville (618-498-6874)
The Safe Schools program provides educational services to students who are referred from their public school districts, often as a direct result of a disciplinary matter. Instruction is individualized and aligned with Illinois Teaching Standards. Students are able to stay on track academically and work toward obtaining credits toward graduation. Classes are taught in the core subject areas of math, science, social studies, language arts, and health.

Additionally, pro-social skills training curricula provide instructional components in anger control, empathy, and character education. These components are designed to address the needs of students by helping them acquire the necessary skills to interact in various social settings, including those which cause them stress or difficulty.

The student and parent sign contracts of agreement upon enrollment. There are established guidelines for attendance, dress code, behavior, grooming, and academics. Truancy from school is carefully monitored in accordance with the Right Track Truancy Programs in Macoupin and Jersey counties. Cooperation with other social service agencies is also encouraged so that students are provided with the opportunities they need to be successful.
The Safe Schools Program operates under the guidelines of the Illinois State Board of Education.

Don’t delay! Call today!
Information: Carlinville (217-854-3913) and Jerseyville (618-498-6874)
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Special Educations Co-Ops:
Coming soon, please check back!
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STARLAB:
STARLAB is a portable classroom and unique teaching tool for presenting astronomy and other topics. All ages can engage in the informal activity-oriented format within the familiar environment of a school or community space.
STARLAB’s inflated size of 25' x 25' and 12' high can comfortably accommodate 25 adults or 30 children. The inflated dome provides a surface on which projection cylinders display a wide variety of topics and information including: Greek sky mythology, Native American sky mythology, constellation patterns, deep sky object, plate tectonics, biological cell, Earth, Chinese mythology, African skies, and starfield with planets.

The STARLAB is owned and provided by the Regional Office of Education #40. Roger Kratochvil, a representative of the ROE, schedules the use of the Starlab for area schools. For scheduling information, contact Roger at kratz@madisontelco.com
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Truancy:
What is Truancy?
According to the US Department of Education's Manual to Combat Truancy:
"Truancy is the first sign of trouble; the first indicator that a young person is giving up and losing his or her way. When young people start skipping school, they are telling their parents, school officials, and the community at large that they are in trouble and need our help if they are to keep moving forward in life..."
For more on this, go to: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/Truancy/index.html
Statistics show that what may be "just truancy" today, can lead to:

Potential delinquent activity
Social isolation, and/or
Educational failure via:

Suspension
Expulsion
Dropping out

What is the Compulsory School Age in Illinois?
As of January 1, 2005, the compulsory school age changed to 7-17. Formerly the compulsory age was 7-16.
This means that any 16 year-old student that as of December 31, 2004 was still enrolled in school cannot drop out until they are 17 years old. Subsequently, any student that is under the age of 17 cannot dropout of school until his/her 17th birthday.

Contact Information:
Calhoun, Greene, Jersey Truant Officer: Paul Rogers, progers@roe40.com
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Work Permits:
Coming soon, please check back!