State to Require New Vaccinations for 6th–12th Graders: What Do You Think?

Do you think the state of Illinois should require students to receive the Tdap booster shot in order to remain in school?

The Illinois State Board of Health has approved new recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Education to require all students in sixth grade through senior year of high school to have an additional vaccination. The students will now need to show proof of receiving the Tdap booster shot. The vaccine immunizes against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. “We’ve seen an increase in pertussis, or whooping cough, in Illinois during the last six years. Medical experts have found whooping cough has been on the rise in pre-teens and teens, indicating a waning immunity from infant and childhood immunizations,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck in a press release…

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Anne Unger

12:59 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2013

Please educate yourself and your question will be answered.   more ›

StatShot

StatShot: What Education Level Do Local Teachers Have?

This week's StatShot looks at the highest education level local teachers have received.

This week's StatShot looks at the percentage of teachers in local elementary school districts who have a master's degree or higher. All data come from the 2011 Illinois State Board of Education District Report Cards for each district.  

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Mokena School Report Card Part 1: Third-Grade ISAT Scores

Over the next few weeks, Patch will present selected data from the 2011 Illinois State Board of Education School Report Cards for Mokena School District 159 schools. Today, we will present third-grade Illinois Standards Achievement Test scores in reading and math going back to the 2001-02 school year. Numbers reflect percent of the students tested who met or exceeded expectations.  

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State Board Pleads for More School Busing Money

Already impacted by less state funding for transportation, school districts and the Board of Education hope Gov. Quinn's proposed $95 million in transportation cuts isn't approved.

Already reeling from continued cuts to school busing costs, the state Board of Education met with lawmakers this week to ask for increased funding, particularly for transportation. According to Illinois Statehouse News, the Education Board pleaded Tuesday for more money, hoping to avoid Gov. Pat Quinn's proposed cuts, which could include up to $95 million in transportation. In the 2011 fiscal year, ISBE spent about $212,000 of its $11.2 million budget on providing free transportation for students who live 1.5 miles or more away from their school . Linda Mitchell, ISBE’s chief financial officer said it’s impossible to teach students if they aren’t in schools. “Our board contends that although dollars spent on buses and gasoline are not …

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Michael Sewall

2:54 pm on Thursday, April 14, 2011

Thank you for pointing that out; that was a mental error when writing.   more ›