The Regional Superintendent of Schools is the chief administrative officier of the Regional Office of Education, and the only elected education professional in Illinois. As the primary provider and the Illinois State Board of Education, the Regional Superintendent is charged by the Illinois School Code with responsibilities of:

Providing assurances to the public that schools comply with state laws, rules
and regulations.

Maintaining accurate records for internal and public inspection.

Improving the quality of education in the region.

The duties of the Regional Superintendent include, but are not limited to:

Advise in all controversies arising under the school law
Disburse state and federal funds to eligible school districts
Provide initial and yearly training for bus drivers
Conduct legal hearings in conjunction with actions to suspend or revoke teacher certificates
Assist the Regional Board of School Trustees in the adjudication of petitions for change of school district boundaries
Conduct hearings for formation of unit school districts and consolidation of existing districts
Appoint local school board members to vacancies when the remaining members are unable to do so
Provide assistance and services to non-public schools, including home schools.
Labor to elevate the standard of teaching and improve the condition of the schools of the region.
Provide maps of school districts and keep such maps current as boundaries change.
Distribute/collect all reports for school districts to the State Board of Education.
Store records of closed school buildings.

Teacher Certification !

The Regional Office of Education is responsible for the processing of teacher certification to the Illinois State Board of Education. Illinois has two means by which individuals may be certified. Through the approved program process, institutions which have certification programs approved by the State Teacher Certification Board define the courses which the candidate must complete in order to be certified at the grade level and subject of the candidate interest. The institution recommends the candidate for the certificate upon the candidate completion of the program requirements.

The other means of certification, by transcript evaluation, for Early Childhood, Elementary, High School, and Special certificates is open only to persons who are in one of the following categories:

They hold an Illinois teaching certificate and have teaching experience in Illinois public or private schools.
They hold a valid out-of-state certificate comparable to the certificate they seek in Illinois.

Individuals seeking endorsement on the School Service Personnel or Administrative certificates must have completed an approved program in another state to qualify for certification by transcript evaluation.

Applicants for the Administrative and School Personnel certificates must therefore provide:

A valid comparable certificate from another state and/or
A state approved program verification form completed by the out-of-state institution from which the applicant graduated indicating that the individual has completed a currently approved administrative or school service personnel program for an endorsement comparable to that sought in Illinois.

Any questions regarding teacher certification should be directed to the Regional Office.

Administrators Academy !

The ROE serves as the primary source for delivery and coordination of the activities of the Illinois Administrators Academy.

Workshops on School Improvement, total quality management, sexual harassment, strategic planning, new technology, conflict management, and other topics of current interest
Workshops for meeting state requirements for those evaluating personnel

Professional Resource Center !

Located at the Regional Office of Education is the Professional Resource Center (PRC), a narrowly focused facility specifically designed to serve teachers. From a fully operational portable planetarium (Star Lab) to a classroom set of scientific calculators, or from a poster sized laminator to the Ellison Machine with its varied dies for making classroom signs and decorations, the PRC has become a valuable support to area teachers. Hundreds of curriculum items, including literary book sets, two complete multimedia packages of The Voyage of the MIMI, a new hand-held microscope plus classroom microscopes and math instruments are available to teachers in the Region. Each year this valuable educational resource is updated based on teacher requests.

Title I !

Through grants from the Illinois State Board of Education, the ROE provides assistance to Title I coordinators and teachers by means of school-wide planning support, regional conferences, sharing sessions, and ongoing assistance with program administration.

Title II !

The ROE provides workshops and materials in mathematics, science, technology and other curriculum areas under the federal Title II program.

Circulation of a Star Lab planetarium to schools upon request
Workshops in mathematics and science on the latest curriculum practices and standards

Staff Development !

The ROE provides inservice training and staff development opportunities through institutes, workshops, or individual consultations with school district staff.

Mini-conferences
Learning (subject) area workshops
On-site consultations

School Improvement/Internal Review!

The latest information and materials related to the Illinois Learning Standards, ISAT assessment and Quality Assurance are provided to area schools.

Workshops, materials and consultation visits.
Curriculum (Standards) alignment and state assessment assistance.
School Improvement strategies and materials.
Internal Review strategies and materials.

Scientific Literacy Support !

Provide math and science workshops
Provide science mini-grants

Gifted Education !

Section 2-3.62 of the Illinois School Code states that each ROE shall provide planning, implementation and evaluation services to classroom teachers and administrators of programs for gifted children. The Regional
Office of Education provides:

Inservice training through the Gifted Institute Training
Regional and state-wide Gifted conferences
Local district consultations

Technology Support !
Internet, e-mail, and Web page service
Internet connection consultation
Technology consultation and training
Preview of equipment and software
On-site school consultations
Electronic transmission of data between schools and the State Board of Education

Vocational Instruction Practicum!

Providing opportunities for educators to improve their teaching through work experiences
Teachers/instructors, counselors, and administrators must apply for practicum experiences during the period of the calendar not embraced within the school year
Provide funds to each participating educator
Practicum for teachers who wish to ¢®¡òshadow" professionals in business and organizations during the summer months

General Education Development !

The Regional Superintendent of Schools of each county administers the GED Testing Program.

Adults no longer enrolled in school register with the ROE to take tests in writing, social studies, science, literature and arts, mathematics, and the US/Illinois Constitutions.

Upon successful completion of the tests, a high school equivalency diploma is issued by the Regional Superintendent.

Truancy !

The Illinois School Code requires children between ages 7 and 16 to attend school.

Two areas of assistance are provided to students, families and schools:
Truancy Prevention
Attendance Awareness Programs
Community Attendance Activities
Business-School Partnerships
Attendance Recognition Activities
Truancy Prevention Hearings
Attendance Policy Development
Individual Casework
Drop Out Prevention Activities
Intervention
School-Student Casework
Individual Service Plans
Social and Educational Services
Implementing State and Federal Laws-Public Aid, etc.
Legal Action

Health/Life/Safety !

The School Code requires that the Regional Superintendent inspect all public school buildings in the region. The Regional Superintendent is also required to enforce the Health/Life/Safety Code to ensure the health and safety of all children and teachers learning and working in the public schools.

Regional Safe Schools Program !

This Program is an alternative school program for disruptive youth who have been removed from their school due to disruptive behavior, multiple suspensions and numerous other reasons on several occasions.

Rock Island County has four programs available:

Rock Island A.R.T. available for 6-8 graders from Rock Island School District

Moline Arrowhead Ranch Safe Schools available for 7-12 graders from Moline School District.

Rock River Coop. Safe Schools available for 7-12 graders from UT, Riverdale, Sherrard, East Moline, Carbon Cliff, and Silvis.

Black Hawk Outreach Safe Schools available for 9-10 graders from any school in Rock Island County.