Business Category: Personal Development

Valley Education for Employment System (VALEES) is a regional delivery system established by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) which serves 17 school districts, two area career/vocational centers, one special education cooperative and Waubonsee Community College, covering a five-county area. VALEES also collaborates with College of DuPage, Joliet Junior College, and Kishwaukee College to promote articulated Career and Technical Programs.

VALEES is directed by ISBE to:

• Provide curriculum and project development.
• Provide staff development, in-services and workshops for teachers, counselors and administrators.
• Assist schools in technology and equipment updates.
• Ensure efficiency, access, and equity in delivery of career and technical education.
• Submit and administer Career and Technical Education (CTE) related grants and disperse funds to member districts.
• Promote local business and industry partnerships with education at all levels.

VALEES is divided into three sub-regions:

• Indian Valley Sub-region is comprised of eleven feeder districts to the Indian Valley Vocational Center.
• Fox Valley Sub-region is comprised of four feeder districts to the Fox Valley Career Center.
• River Valley Sub-region is comprised of East Aurora, West Aurora, and Oswego districts.

VALEES administers over $2 million in federal and state grant funds through the following programs:

• Career and Technical Education Improvement state funds to support the improvement of CTE programs at the secondary level.
• Perkins federal funds to support CTE for special population secondary students.