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For more information about Erika Hunt's work, review her profile.

Erika Hunt: On the edge of education reforms

By Matt Kurnick

"We're on the cutting edge, pushing rigor in the state. We get a lot of resistance, but I've always liked to push the limits. We're proud because what we're doing is promoting and modeling excellence. That's why I love working in the Center." — Erika Hunt, director of the Illinois State Action for Education Leadership Project in the Center for the Study of Education Policy

(December 16, 2008) Erika Hunt, director of the Illinois State Action for Education Leadership Project, helps Illinois State University to push the cutting edge of education reforms.

"We're on the cutting edge, pushing rigor in the state. We get a lot of resistance, but I've always liked to push the limits. We're proud because what we're doing is promoting and modeling excellence. That's why I love working in the Center."

Currently Hunt directs a $6 million grant funded by The Wallace Foundation. Through collaboration between the state and its school districts the grant aims to accelerate school leadership by strengthening the preparation and professional development of school leaders.

The grant's main focus is principals who, according to Hunt, have the second largest impact on student learning in schools, second only to teachers. By working with the Chicago Public Schools, the Springfield school district, the Large Unit District Association, the Consortium for Education Change, the State Board of Education, the Board of Higher Education and other statewide policymakers, organizations, districts, and universities, Hunt's work is pushing for outcomes-based standards for principal preparation programs, greater accountability for all Illinois principal preparation programs in the state, and greater professional development for principals.

The grant is in its eighth year, and is expected to last through 2010. "It's pretty rare for a foundation to support a single issue for 10 years. I'm thankful for the long term commitment. It shows the commitment of the foundation, that they know if you're really going to affect change, you can't do it over night. No school reform has ever been successful without a highly qualified principal directing the initiative."

Hunt's past success with legislation has helped prepare her for her current work. Hunt played a major role in all phases of passing Public Act 094-1039, what has been referred to as one of the most significant education reforms impacting school leaders since the 1985 School Reform Bill. P.A. 094-1039 is a six-part piece of education reform legislation that passed in 2006. After conceptualizing and drafting the legislation, Hunt was part of the team that actually testified before the State Senate and House Education Committees.

"We were notified an hour before speaking," Hunt recalled. "We rushed to Springfield kind of as the sacrificial lambs in the process. The legislation was fun, conceptualizing, researching, finding influential people to carry it for you. It wasn't easy, but if you don't shoot high you'll get status quo. That's how the process works."

Part of that process included conducting monthly meetings with over 120 different stakeholders to gather input to shape the legislation. By educating the leaders of the stakeholder organizations, Hunt was eventually able to reach people at the grassroots level which maximized the effectiveness of her and her team's efforts.

Hunt's accomplishments while at Illinois State have helped to further establish ISU's College of Education as a national leader, something Hunt takes pride in. "I really love working in the College of Education," Hunt said. "It's kind of the focal point of the university — our original mission. We're on the cutting edge statewide and nationally; it provides a real sense of pride. At ISU we don't do our work without that seamless connection to the community. People take notice when the College of Education is at meetings."