The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is looking for high school students to share their thoughts and ideas on state education issues.
There are 12 open spots on the Student Advisory Council (SAC) that are open to upcoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending school in Illinois, according to the ISBE.
Students on the SAC are able to provide a student’s perspective to the State Board and State Superintendent on programs, policies, and regulations brought forward by the ISBE.
State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. said that the SAC helps improve the relationship between students, teachers, and school leaders while getting the students “personally invested in their school communities.”
Junior at Hinsdale Central High School, Seetha Aribindi, said that council members act as links between students, schools, and the state.
“I get the chance to tell board members about what is working and what is not,” she said. “With this council, we improve our education system together. It is refreshing to see that the members of the Board truly value our opinions.”
Candidates for the SAC will have strong interpersonal skills, the ability to think creatively, work well in groups, and develop innovate solutions, the ISBE said.
Students have until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2016 to submit an application. Click here for the application.
If you have questions, contact Vince Camille at 217-782-5396 or email ‘vcamille@isbe.net’
Students on the council typically meet once per month and attend two Board meetings over the course of a year. For the 2016-2017 school year, the SAC would like to have three members present at each Board meeting from September through March to answer questions and provide reports on research projects that the SAC conducts throughout the year.
