PEORIA MAGAZINE August 2023

S P O T L I G T H

WORKING IN THE SHADOWS

Regional Offices of Education perform many duties behind the scenes, but they have value, especially for a community’s most vulnerable

BY KATIE FALEY

R egional Offices of Education are not school districts and they don’t make the rules, but they do help school districts implement the rules. Because of that, their work is often broad and hidden. But when we start to see all that the Regional Offices of Education – ROE for short – do, it adds up pretty quickly. A 15-year-old wants a job? The ROE helps them get a work permit. A mom-to-be wants to be a good parent but doesn’t know how? The ROE offers in-home parenting education. Parents want to homeschool their children? The ROE ensures those par ents and their children hit educational benchmarks so everyone succeeds. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. “The short answer is that our mis sion is to serve,” said Beth Crider, the Regional Superintendent of ROE 48, which serves Peoria County. “We serve our students, our educators, and our community.” One of the biggest ways the ROE serves is by ensuring that students get the most out of their education.

and human rights. Without the support of the ROE, many people from mar ginalized groups and already at risk of slipping through the cracks would lose access to vital educational tools and supports. One such example: adult literacy tutoring. Each year, approximately 50 volun teer tutors are coached and matched with adult learners. Being able to read and comprehend written language is something that can easily be taken for granted, but having that ability is empowering and life-changing. Other gaps that get filled in thanks to the ROE include preschool for chil dren birth through age 3, support for students experiencing homelessness, help for people seeking their GED, licensure assistance for teachers and substitutes, and professional devel opment experiences for teachers on topics ranging from diversity and inclusion to how to teach the core subjects more effectively. For students who are at risk of drop ping out, the Peoria Regional Learning Center in West Peoria offers another option. In addition, the ROE provides

Beth Crider

Jeff Ekena

“If a student comes to school hungry, homeless, or dealing with a family situation, learning just isn’t going to happen,” said Crider. “You can’t have student achievement unless kids are ready to learn.” FILLING IN THE GAPS The Regiona l Offices of Education fall under the umbrella of the Illinois State Board of Education. The ROE helps ensure that every school district has a local point of access for numerous supports and services. “We consider ourselves a value-add. The services offered are a multi-million dollar add to our community,” Crider said. Indeed, the services provided by ROE are often a matter of equality, justice

106 JULY 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE