Regional Superintendent of Schools Marc Kiehna was recently in Washington, D.C., as a member of the Advisory Council for Great Lakes West Great Lakes West is a comprehensive center for educational research serving the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. Prior to this trip GLW and the Regional Offices of Education had presented a series of workshops for teachers and administrators to learn about the Common Core Standards being implemented in Illinois. This educational think tank has also helped the Illinois State Board of Education come into compliance with the federal government's requirements for English Language Learners and parental involvement in schools.

Kiehna was joined on the Advisory Board by Deputy State Superintendent Susie Morrison, professor Donna McGraw of Western Illinois University and Maureen Gillette, of the College of Education at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. The Illinois team provided guidance and input to the GLW staff on the research needs for Illinois districts, and Kiehna spoke to the group specifically about the needs of rural southern Illinois schools.