Introducing the Standards-Aligned Classroom Initiative
the success story that’s transforming teachers and students throughout Illinois.

No matter how many years you have been teaching, the Standards-Aligned Classroom Initiative (SAC) can fundamentally change your entire classroom experience. When you enroll in the SAC program, you will be joining one of the fastest-growing and highest-performing movements in education today.

At this very moment, thousands of teachers in Illinois are embracing SAC methodologies, and are experiencing its unique ability to:

• Instill educators with a greater sense of confidence in the classroom
• Accelerate student achievement and motivation
• Create a more powerful overall learning experience for everyone involved

Even the most seasoned professional educators are employing SAC’s innovative strategies, tools, and insights to create their own SAC success story within their schools.

“I have witnessed drastic improvements in my students’ overall approach to the learning process, as well as in their overall performance.”
– Peggy Leigh, 6th-grade teacher, Pontiac, Illinois

A better approach to assessment.
Admittedly, it is not easy for teachers to immediately become acclimated to involving students in the assessment process. It is also a new experience for teachers when they employ these results to give students feedback and then adjust classroom instruction. However, in classrooms where these methods are practiced, students invariably become more engaged in learning, thereby improving their performance and building their confidence.

“The assessment piece really changed attitudes. The students became more confident, and felt empowered. They felt they were making progress.”
– Cheryl Lewis, Teacher, Calvin Coolidge Middle School

“I was very passionate about assessment as a means to improve teaching and learning... Through a number of staff development activities it naturally became our school improvement work. The teachers embraced it. And the benefits became clear.”
– Rebecca McCabe, Principal, Leal Elementary School

SAC works by empowering teachers and students.

“SAC has helped our teachers become so much more motivated
and excited about teaching again.”
– Michael Rux, Teacher, Silas Willard School

“SAC’s student-led conferencing, for example, has simply been better for the kids. They have more confidence and they feel more empowered.”
– Jeremy Ricken, Principal, East View Elementary School

SAC has proven successful in raising student achievement.

“With SAC, teachers have become more effective, and ISATs have gone up. It really took our curriculum to the next level.”
– Neil Sappington, Superintendent, Galesburg Unit School District #205

Every year, literally hundreds of new programs flood the market proclaiming revolutionary new teaching methods. They guarantee a quick fix that can transform you into a better teacher with more successful students. Sadly, every year, many of these quick fixes fail.

SAC, however, is anything but a quick fix. SAC offers a rigorously tested, research-based teaching program featuring proven strategies for aligning classroom instruction and assessment to the Illinois Learning Standards.

The program’s inherent strength lies in its ability to involve both teachers and students in the standards process by empowering them to create high-quality classroom assessments together. Research has shown that when teachers partner with students to develop clear learning targets, then follow up with classroom lessons structured to achieve these targets, students are more engaged and do better overall.

SAC earns high marks from principals and teachers.
Make no mistake. Participating in the SAC Initiative requires hard work, dedication, and a real commitment of time. But these efforts are repaid in rewards that will last the rest of your career.