This article was written by Danielle Brink on October 20, 2023 and published by District 88. 

On Oct. 19, District 88 welcomed members of the Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA), an initiative that “launched with a vision of ensuring equity for all learners … EALA has grown to become an uncommon alliance of more than 130 non-profit partner organizations that represent voices from a diverse range of communities, including disability advocacy, parent, special education, civil rights and K-12 nonprofit education organizations.”

The group visited Addison Trail, Willowbrook and the District 88 Transition Program to learn about the following areas/topics.

Addison Trail

To view a photo gallery from the event, click on the image above.

• English Learners (EL) program, which helps students develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English. Read more at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/127.
• Academic Success Center (ASC), which provides tutoring in a variety of subject areas during the school day. Read more at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/9418.
• Joint Leadership Team (JLT) meeting, where district and school administrators meet with department heads to discuss important updates, review/analyze data and share information.

Willowbrook

To view a photo gallery from the event, click on the image above.

• Project Lead The Way: Willowbrook has been recognized as a 2022-23 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW’s computer science, engineering and biomedical pathways. Read more at https://dupage88.net/site/page/15570.
• The Brook Catering Co.: Through this program, students enrolled in Culinary Arts 3 – Catering learn about event planning, scaling recipes, ordering groceries, figuring costs in a lab setting and working with clients to determine themes and menus. The course prepares students for careers in the food service industry, catering and nutrition/menu planning. Students in this program earn dual credit, have an honors option and are certified ServSafe safety and sanitation managers. Read more at https://dupage88.net/site/page/4256.
• Learning services (special education programming, including the group’s coffee business).
• Period by Period meetings, where district and school administrators meet with all staff members throughout the day to discuss important updates and share information.

District 88 Transition Program

To view a photo gallery from the event, click on the image above.

• The District 88 Transition Program helps individuals ages 18 to 21 who have a variety of abilities learn life skills, obtain job training at local vocational sites in a community setting and transition to a life of independence after District 88. Read more at dupage88.net/TransitionProgram.

The EALA group stopped by District 88 as part of its School Study Tours, which took place from Oct. 18 to 20 and also included a visit to Homer Jr. High School. Eighteen attendees from eight schools throughout the U.S. participated. For more information, go to https://educatingalllearners.org.