Peoria Public Schools on Jan. 13 highlighted multiple staff-development and student-success efforts: the district introduced its first cohort of Rockford University master'in'urban-education graduates with principal certification options, celebrated midyear graduates from the Knoxville Center For Student Success (KCSS), and recognized the Justice Advocate team for five years of student and family outreach.

Superintendent Dr. Currat said the Rockford partnership was designed to grow the district's own leadership pipeline. Teachers who completed the tailored master'and principal-certification sequence presented action-research projects focused on attendance, restorative practices, exclusionary discipline, and student belonging. Jen Reeder, a teacher of the visually impaired and a cohort participant, said the program'which began in this district in December 2020 for cohort 1'had been "transformative," and cohort members described taking research back into their buildings.

The board also heard from Eric Thomas, principal at the Knoxville Center For Student Success, who presented four students who completed coursework at the center. Thomas said about 26 students finished high-school coursework at the December celebration and the program has enabled students who needed an alternative pathway to complete graduation requirements.

Marla Marpley, lead justice advocate, and her team were recognized for work that includes weekly visits with students, court accompaniment, recidivism intervention and chronic-absence outreach. Marpley said team members visit roughly 30 students each week and have been asked to testify in cases and attend court on behalf of students when needed.

Why it matters

District leaders said the Rockford partnership builds a pipeline for future principals from within the district, KCSS provides alternate graduation pathways for students who struggle in traditional high school settings, and the Justice Advocate team helps keep at-risk students connected to school and services.

Next steps

Board members congratulated graduates, thanked the Justice Advocate staff, and asked that the district continue to support collaborations that produce locally trained administrators and alternative pathways to graduation.