Lab School Education Association

02/17/2026

Our bargaining team had a busy weekend. We spent about five hours together Saturday reviewing survey feedback from members, working on our remaining proposals to present to the University, and discussing our bargaining strategy.

Then we met as a team for a couple hours Monday morning before meeting with ISU's bargaining team Monday afternoon. We were encouraged to finally receive some formal, written responses from ISU at our meeting Monday. Read more at labschoolea.org/bargaining-update-4.

Our solidarity is our strength — thank you for your continued support. And if you have not yet joined us, please reach out and find out how!

02/14/2026

On this Valentine's Day, this is our note to Illinois State University.

The Lab Schools still count. And they deserve investment and support from ISU!

Illinois Education Association

02/03/2026

Our bargaining team was scheduled to meet with the University this evening. The meeting didn't last long — or ever really begin. Read more at labschoolea.org/bargaining-update-3/

01/29/2026

‼️LSEA prevails AGAIN‼️
Illinois State University *really* doesn't want to bargain with us. They're spending A LOT of money to try to keep our HILIA colleagues from being in our union — that case is before the Fourth District Appellate Court now. In the meantime, they went back to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board and requested to not be obligated to bargain with us until the court decides the case regarding HILIA being included in our union. IELRB denied their motion and told them to bargain with us. Then ISU went to the Appellate Court and asked for a stay so they wouldn't have to bargain with us. The court also denied that request this week and told ISU they have to bargain with us.

We've been at the bargaining table twice. But we've yet to receive a proposal or even a counter to anything we've proposed. We hope these decisions mean ISU will come to the table February 2 ready to work with us.

Illinois Education Association

01/27/2026

In 1984 Illinois State University allocated $792,730 to the Lab Schools — enough to cover 27.7% of their operating expenses.

A decade later ISU allocated $766,142 — about 15% of the operating expenses for Metcalf and U-High.

Since that time, ISU’s allocation to the Lab Schools has hovered around 15%.

That financial investment has historically been intended to support the mission of the Lab Schools as a resource for teacher education and preparation — acknowledging the hours of clinical experiences Lab School educators provide for ISU students preparing to be teachers.

In the 2023-24 Annual Report from the Director of Laboratory Schools, it was reported Lab School educators supported more than 50,000 clinical hours for ISU teacher education students. And, it was reported that 84% of the Lab School funding — $7,717,365 — came from money allocated to the Lab Schools by the State Board of Education (through the state’s Evidence Based Funding formula). The report indicates the other 16% of funding for the Lab Schools — $1,471,390 — came from an “IBHE allocation.” That’s money ISU receives from the Illinois Board of Higher Education and has historically allocated to the Lab Schools to support their work with ISU students.

The Lab Schools have not received any of that allocation from ISU’s IBHE funds yet for the 2025-26 school year. And recently the Director of Laboratory Schools communicated to faculty at the Lab Schools that ISU may not provide that allocation to the Lab Schools this year — or for some years into the future — so they can spend it elsewhere on other priorities.

The Lab Schools are an important part of the mission of Illinois State University and rely on predictable, sustainable investment from the University in order to carry out that mission.

LSEA is working to make sure the Lab Schools still count — now and for generations to come.
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Learn more: labschoolea.org/the-lab-schools-still-count-27-7/
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| Illinois Education Association

01/26/2026

Since 1982 the funds allocated by Illinois State University for the Lab Schools have supported their mission as a resource for teacher education and preparation — acknowledging the hours of clinical experiences Lab School educators provide for ISU students preparing to be teachers. Learn more: labschoolea.org/the-lab-schools-still-count-1982/

Lab School faculty associates continue to provide hours of clinical experiences to ISU students in fulfillment of their mission — more than 50,000 hours each year. That mission still matters.

LSEA is working to make sure the Lab Schools still count — now and for generations to come.

01/24/2026

In 1857, as Illinois State Normal University was founded, University President Charles Hovey established a Model School to serve as a living laboratory for future teachers who were studying at ISNU. The Model School met a Major's Hall in Bloomington, the site of Abraham Lincoln's lost speech. Hovey served as the first principal. The first high school classes began at the Model School in 1862.

The Lab Schools have existed to give practical classroom experience to university students preparing to be teachers since they were established. That mission still matters.

LSEA is working to make sure the Lab Schools still count — now and for generations to come.

01/23/2026

Our bargaining team met with the ISU team the evening of January 22. The majority of our time was spent responding to questions from the University about the first 11 proposals we presented to them January 7. We have not yet received any counter-proposals or proposals from ISU. An update from our bargaining session is posted at labschoolea.org!

01/08/2026

Our bargaining team — Jake Davis, Lauren Denofrio-Corrales, Chris Pederson, Kevin Thompson, Amy Yount, and Andy Goveia — met with the ISU team on January 7. An update from our first bargaining session is posted at labschoolea.org!

11/25/2025

Congratulations to LSEA member Andy Goveia!

Andy Goveia was one of more than 550 K-12 teachers across the country to enter the contest held by KI Furniture.