2019-2020 Impact Report
Empowering Educational Change Through Technology
A nationally recognized leader in educational technology services and professional learning.
The 2019-2020 school year highlighted a great need for digital learning, equitable access to resources, robust infrastructure, and flexible professional learning. Throughout the year, and particularly after the onset of the global pandemic, Illinois school districts oriented their focus toward technology and remote learning to ensure learning continuity and growth for all students.
The Learning Technology Center, a program of the Illinois State Board of Education that supports all Illinois schools and educators, played an essential role in supporting those seeking to integrate technology, launch remote and hybrid learning, and navigate new learning expectations for digital spaces. Our work was diverse, spanning all aspects of technology within the learning environment. We engaged all school levels, from administrators down to teachers, technology staff, instructional coaches, and support personnel. We operated in all 103 Illinois counties, providing services to 95% of public school districts in Illinois through our programs and events. With staff located throughout the state, we provided critical in-district support, regional coordination of services, and statewide leadership.
Although our work was diverse, a common purpose permeated all that we accomplished: we sought to build statewide capacity, maximize school districts’ access to technology and digital learning, and enhance the use of technology to improve educational opportunities for the students of Illinois.
Professional Learning
We facilitate high-quality professional learning opportunities for educators, administrators, and technology staff that support digital teaching, learning, and leadership. During the 2019-2020 school year, we:
- Facilitated 583 professional learning events for 16,165 participants.
- Hosted 253 workshops, 78 networking meetings, 57 webinars, 30 online courses, 70 in-district events, 3 online book studies, and 6 administrator academies.
- Facilitated a statewide E-Sports Summit.
- Joined Code.org as their Regional Partner in Illinois, offering computer science training and $30,000 worth of scholarships.
- Acquired the Illinois Education and Technology Conference (IETC), becoming its parent organization.
Events by Focus Area

Support by Area of Illinois

Digital Learning Support
We consult with PK-12 districts as they plan, adopt, and evaluate innovative uses of technology within the classroom. During the 2019-2020 school year, we:
- Provided 19% of districts in Illinois with consulting services related to digital learning.
- Launched our Instructional Technology Coaching Program, providing embedded and ongoing support directly to educators.
- Launched an Online Learning Resource library to highlight resources created or curated by the LTC that specially address technology-enabled remote learning and e-learning.
- Published a Legal Reference Guide and administered the first Illinois School District Technology Survey.
- Partnered with 38 Regional Offices of Education and Intermediate Service Centers to support remote and hybrid learning.
Technical Support
We provide PK-12 districts with technical support, guidance, and resource identification related to information technology processes, solutions, and management that improve digital learning environments and increase district operation efficiency. During the 2019-2020 school year, we:
- Provided technical support to 13% of school districts in Illinois.
- Hosted three regional IT Summer Summits and many webinars, networking meetings, and workshops for technology staff.

Data Privacy and Cybersecurity
We provide PK-12 districts with support, guidance, and resource identification related to data security and practices, cybersecurity, and online student safety. During the 2019-2020 school year, we:
- Provided 471 districts with data privacy and cybersecurity support.
- Closed 435 support requests for data privacy and cybersecurity.
- Hosted SecurED Schools, a statewide conference on data privacy and cybersecurity.
Access & Funding
We assist PK-12 districts with access to, and improvements of, broadband connectivity, devices, resources, and funding that increase equitable learning opportunities. During the 2019-2020 school year, we:
- Hosted 24 events on access and funding issues.
- Provided 348 districts with support related to access and funding issues.
- Supported school districts in securing over $110 million in federal funding designed to support connectivity and infrastructure.

Purchasing Support
We assist districts in identifying purchasing strategies and procuring affordable technology and digital resources. During the 2019-2020 school year, we:
- Worked with over 800 districts and private schools as part of our cooperative purchasing program, ILTPP.
- Increased quantity of negotiated contracts by 6.4% and offered thousands of products and services.
- Expanded the ILTPP Advisory Council, increasing the number of participants by 23%.
Communities of Practice
We develop and expand in-person and digital professional learning communities for PK-12 educators, administrators, technology staff, and/or business and industry partners that support digital learning initiatives and foster collaborations. During the 2019-2020 school year, we:
- Expanded our online community to include representatives from 813 districts.
- Hosted 78 networking events for 887 participants.
- Published 46 blog posts and 18 podcast episodes.
- Increased website traffic by 588% to reach over 40,000 visitors.