Bennett’s bill to curb teacher shortage advances

Shaw Local News Network

The Illinois Senate Education Committee voted unanimously to advance legislation from state Sen. Tom Bennett, R-Gibson City, that would suspend the Teacher Performance Assessment requirement.

“We continually hear that the current edTPA requirement is one of the biggest roadblocks for prospective teachers in education programs,” Bennett said in a news release. “This legislation will waive the requirement for two years, helping to get more teachers into classrooms while we develop a better system.”

Bennett said the legislation would remove one of the biggest issues stopping prospective teachers from making it to the classroom.

Under current law, prospective teachers are required to pass the edTPA requirement to complete their education program. The edTPA standard has been criticized for being difficult, inaccurate in predicting future performance, expensive for education students, and for taking too much time away from in-classroom training, Bennett said in the release.

The requirement also has been blamed for keeping diverse teachers out of classrooms, he said.

Senate Bill 1488, filed by Bennett, would waive the edTPA requirement through Aug. 31, 2025. The legislation also would create the Teacher Performance Assessment Task Force, which would be tasked with developing a new evaluation system for teaching students. The task force would be required to present its findings no later than Aug. 1, 2024.

The legislation passed the Senate Education Committee on March 22.

With redistricting, Bennett’s 53rd Senate District now takes in southern La Salle County, southern Bureau County and a portion of Putnam County, including Streator.

• EGG HUNTS

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Seneca

An egg hunt is set 10 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at Crotty Park with lineup beginning a 9:55 a.m. The event also includes pictures with the Easter bunny, activities, food trucks and prize baskets. Register at https://forms.gle/ XmiNhyY9LVsUefKE7

Sheridan

An Easter egg hunt is being hosted by the Sheridan Community Club at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 2, at the Sheridan baseball fields. The event will feature a visit from the Easter bunny. Ages 0-2 will begin at 11, ages 3-4 at 11:10, ages 5-6 at 11:15, ages 7-8 at 11:20 and ages 9-10 at 11:25. Organizers encourage participants to arrive a few minutes before their age group. Also, the Sheridan Elevator will be having breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon.

Spring Valley

An egg hunt is scheduled 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at Kirby Park for children fifth grade and younger. There will be game stations and each child will receive an Easter basket. The event is sponsored by Grow Spring Valley.

Streator

The egg hunt begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at the City Park. Children 10 and younger may participate. The hunt will be divided into four different age groups, 0 to 3, 4 to 5, 6 to 7 and 8 to 10. The Easter Bunny will be present. Streator Hardscrabble Lions will be assisted by volunteers from SOCU.

The Villas of Holly Brook, 2002 E. Main St., will host its Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt and Bake Sale beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 8. There will be an egg hunt for children ages 0-10, a bake sale with Easter desserts and photo opportunities with the Easter bunny.

Utica

An egg hunt will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at Carey Memorial park hosted by the Utica Fire Protection District. Hunts will be divided into age groups toddler, pre-school, kindergarten, first grade, second and third grades and fourth and sixth grades.

Wenona

The Women of Wenona are hosting an egg hunt 10 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at Wenona City Park. Sign up is at 9:45. Door prizes will be drawn at 10. The hunts will be staggered according to age groups 0-3, 4-6 and 7-10. In the event of rain, the hunt will be at the Fieldcrest Middle School gym, 102 W. Elm St.