What is Future Ready?
Future Ready helps district leaders plan and implement personalized, research-based digital learning strategies so all students can achieve their full potential. The purpose of the Future Ready Framework is to help your district leaders — including administrators, teachers, librarians, and technology integrators — understand the major components of using technology to:
- transform learning through collaborative dialogue, planning, and budgeting processes
- identify opportunity gaps in your district related to your continuous improvement and strategic planning goals
- discuss integrated funding plans across federal, state, local, and other funds sources to fulfill your vision for student learning
- develop specific action plans to address them
The Framework was developed by the Alliance for Excellence in Education and has been adopted by the US Office of Educational Technology.
Future Ready in Illinois
Recognizing the value of the resources provided by Future Ready Schools and the importance of state leadership, the Illinois State Board of Education partnered with Future Ready to become a Future Ready State in October 2016. As Illinois school districts adopt and implement continuous and strategic planning processes, they are encouraged to consider Future Ready Schools resources as a means of ensuring equity of learning opportunities for all students.
Illinois-Specific Resources
- Illinois Quality Framework crosswalk with Future Ready Framework
- LTC’s Mobilize Community. An online community that allows Future Ready districts to connect and collaborate.
Illinois Programs Aligned to Future Ready
About this Gear
In a Future Ready district, curriculum, instruction, and assessment are tightly aligned, redesigned to engage students in 21st Century, personalized, technology-enabled, deeper learning. The elements that comprise this Gear are as follows:
- 21st Century Skills/Deeper Learning
- Personalized Learning
- Collaborative, Relevant, and Applied Learning
- Leveraging Technology
- Assessment—Analytics Inform Instruction
State Programs & Examples
#GoOpen
Illinois Open Education Resources (IOER)
Student Conferences: TECH 20XX, SIT Conference
Statewide Assessments
5 Essentials Survey
Vision 2020 & iTunesU
Illinois Virtual School
Assistive Technology
About this Gear
Technology and digital learning expand access to high-quality, ongoing, job-embedded opportunities for professional learning for teachers, administrators, and other education professionals. The elements that comprise this Gear are as follows:
- Shared Ownership and Responsibility for Professional Growth
- 21st Century Skill Set
- Diverse Opportunities for Professional Learning Through Technology
- Broad-Based, Participative Evaluation
State Programs & Examples
Learning Technology Center
Classrooms in Action Resources
Large National and State Conferences
Twitter Chats: #ICEilchat, #ILEDchat
ICE Chapter Meetings
EdCamps
About this Gear
When employed as part of a comprehensive educational strategy, the effective use of technology provides tools, resources, data, and supportive systems that increase teaching opportunities and promote efficiency. The elements that comprise this Gear are as follows:
- Adequacy of Devices; Quality and Availability
- Robust Network Infrastructure
- Adequate and Responsive Support
- Formal Cycle for Review and Replacement
State Programs & Examples
Learning Technology Center
Illinois Classroom Connectivity Initiative
Illinois Century Network @ DoIT
SETDA Membership
About this Gear
Community partnerships include the formal and informal local and global community connections, collaborative projects, and relationships that advance the school’s learning goals. The elements that comprise this Gear are as follows:
- Local Community Engagement and Outreach
- Global and Cultural Awareness
- Digital Learning Environments as Connectors to Local/Global Communities
- Parental Communication and Engagement
- District Brand
State Programs & Examples
Illinois Computing Educators (ICE)
Illinois Education Technology Leaders (IETL)
Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools
Illinois Principals Association
Vision 20/20
Illinois Veterans and Community Classroom Project
About this Gear
The transition to digital learning will require strategic short-term and long-term budgeting and leveraging of resources. The elements that comprise this Gear are as follows:
- Efficiency and Cost Savings
- Alignment to District and School Plans
- Consistent Funding Streams
- Learning Return on Investment
State Programs & Examples
E-rate and Broadband Support
School Technology Revolving Loan Program
Illinois Learning Technology Purchase Program
Education Super Highway
Future Ready Illinois
Illinois Interactive Report Card
About this Gear
Personalized learning requires changes in the way instructional time is used and the learning space is designed. The elements that comprise this Gear are as follows:
- Flexible Learning; Anytime, Anywhere
- New Pedagogy, Schedules, and Learning Environment for Personalized Learning
- Competency-Based Learning
- Strategies for Providing Extended Time for Projects and Collaboration
State Programs & Examples
Illinois Virtual Schools
ELN Leader Network
Remote Educational Program Legislation
About this Gear
Data privacy and security are foundational elements of digital learning. The elements that comprise this Gear are as follows:
- Data and Data Systems
- Data Policies, Procedures, and Practices
- Data-Informed Decision Making
- Data Literate Education Professionals
State Programs & Examples
Student Data Privacy @ LTC
Ed360
Illinois Longitudinal Data System
ISBE Education Data Systems