Education Leader • Author • Speaker • Consultant

Advancing Equity Through Leadership, Systems, and Student Success

Alt-Ed Alliance is dedicated to helping educational leaders reimagine success for students whose strengths and potential are too often overlooked. Through innovative practices, equity-focused leadership, and systems transformation, we help schools create pathways where at-promise youth can thrive, achieve, and succeed.

- Dr. Milisav Ilic

When Learning Doesn't Travel

Partial Credit, Equity, and the Gaps in Our Systems

Every year, students transfer between schools carrying completed coursework, earned credits, and demonstrated learning. Yet too often, that learning does not fully follow them.

When Learning Doesn't Travel explores one of the most significant—and often overlooked—equity challenges in education: the loss of academic credit when students move between schools and systems.

Drawing upon more than three decades of experience in student services, alternative education, and juvenile justice education, Dr. Milisav Ilic examines how gaps between policy and practice can create unintended barriers to graduation, particularly for foster youth, students experiencing homelessness, and justice-involved youth.

Grounded in California law and informed by real-world case studies, this book provides educational leaders with practical strategies for strengthening partial credit implementation, improving graduation pathways, and ensuring that learning is recognized wherever it occurs.

More than a book about compliance, When Learning Doesn't Travel is a leadership framework for aligning equity, accountability, and student outcomes.

Students are not failing. Systems are failing to recognize them.

Whether you are a superintendent, principal, counselor, registrar, policymaker, or student services leader, this book offers a roadmap for building systems where learning travels and opportunity follows.

About Alt-Ed Alliance
Advancing Equity. Strengthening Systems. Transforming Student Outcomes.

Alt-Ed Alliance partners with educational leaders to improve outcomes for students facing significant barriers to success. Through consulting, professional development, facilitation, and systems improvement support, we help Educational Options and Student Services administrators create pathways that transform at-risk students into at-promise learners.

Our work is grounded in the belief that every student deserves access to opportunity, support, and a clear pathway to success. We help districts navigate complex challenges while ensuring alignment with California Education Code, regulatory requirements, and local policies.

We specialize in strengthening systems that support some of the most vulnerable student populations, including foster youth, students experiencing homelessness, justice-involved youth, newcomer students, and students requiring alternative educational pathways.

Areas of Expertise

Alternative Education & Educational Options
Student Services Leadership
Attendance Improvement & SARB
Discipline & Expulsion Processes
Foster Youth & Homeless Education
Juvenile Justice Education
Bullying Prevention & School Climate
Student Records & Enrollment
Interdistrict Transfers
504 Compliance & Student Supports
Continuous Improvement Planning
Equity-Focused Leadership Development

Who We Serve

Our primary partners include:

District and County Office Superintendents
Assistant Superintendents
Student Services Administrators
Alternative Education Leaders
Educational Options Directors
Principals and Site Administrators
County Office of Education Leaders

Through collaboration, training, and strategic planning, Alt-Ed Alliance helps educational leaders build systems where students are supported, barriers are reduced, and success becomes attainable for every learner.

Building systems where learning travels and opportunity follows.

About Dr. Ilic

Milisav Ilic, Ed.D. is an education leader, scholar-practitioner, and policy advocate whose work focuses on equity, student mobility, and system design in K–12 education. With deep expertise in juvenile justice education, foster youth services, and alternative education systems, Dr. Ilic has spent his career examining how well-intentioned policies succeed—or fail—once they encounter real students moving through real systems. His work bridges law, practice, and leadership, translating statutory intent into operational reality.

Dr. Ilic has served in senior leadership roles across county and district educational systems, where he has led student services, compliance, and cross-agency coordination efforts. He is widely recognized for his work on partial credit, credit portability, and reentry, helping districts align their practices with California Education Code while redesigning systems to prevent learning loss. His approach emphasizes continuous improvement, data-informed leadership, and accountability without punishment—centering outcomes rather than intentions.

A sought-after speaker and trainer, Dr. Ilic works with superintendents, school boards, registrars, counselors, and policymakers to reimagine how education systems respond to mobility. He brings a rare combination of legal fluency, systems thinking, and moral clarity to conversations about equity and opportunity. When Learning Doesn’t Travel reflects his core belief: that learning belongs to students—and that it is the responsibility of leaders to build systems worthy of carrying it.

Contact

Consulting, Questions, Workshops & Opportunities

Milisav Ilic, Ed.D.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Education: Administrator Leadership for Teaching and Learning. Walden University, Minneapolis, MN (2011)
Professional Clear Administrative Services Credential: San Jose State University, San Jose, CA (2001)
Professional Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential: Music (Examination): Chapman University, Orange, CA (1995)
Master of Arts: Music: Performance Practice and Composition: University of California, Santa Cruz, CA (1993)
Bachelor of Music: History and Theory (summa cum laude): McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (1983)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

April-June 2026 - Interim Music Director, (Glendale Unified School District)
Feb.-Oct. 2025 - Interim School Director, (Los Angeles County Office of Education)
Oct. 2024- Adjunct Professor, Alliant University
2024 Interim Administrator, (Monrovia Unified School District)
2023-25 Expulsion Hearing Officer, (Corona-Norco Unified School District)
2023- Consultant/Owner, Alt-Ed Alliance LLC. Alternative Education and Student Services Consultation and Support
2016-2023 Administrative Director, Instructional Support, (Corona-Norco Unified School District)
2011-2016 Director, Instructional Support, (Corona-Norco Unified School District)
2005-2011 Principal, Rocklin Alternative Education Center, (Victory High School, Rocklin Independent School). Rocklin, CA (Rocklin Unified School District)
2001-2005 Assistant Principal, Granite Oaks Middle School, Rocklin, CA(Rocklin Unified School District)
2000-2001 Assistant Principal, Seaside High School, Seaside, CA(Monterey Peninsula Unified School District)
1998-2000 Assistant Principal, Los Arboles Middle School, Marina, CA (Monterey Peninsula Unified School District)
1994-1998 Music Teacher, Harden Middle School, Salinas, CA (Salinas Union High School District)
1993-1994 Band Director / Music Teacher, Seaside High School, Seaside, CA (Monterey Peninsula Unified School District)

CREDENTIALS AND CERTIFICATES

California Professional Clear Administrative Services Credential
California Professional Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential (Music)
Cross-Cultural, Language and Academic Development Certificate (CLAD)

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Field Expert, California Continuation Education Association Plus (2023-)
Member, California Learning Collaborative on Alternative Education (2022- )
Coach, for candidates working on a Clear Administrative Services Credential (CASC), Corona-Norco Unified School District (2021-23)
Field Supervisor for Preliminary Administrative Services Credential, Riverside County Office of Education (2020-21)
Member, California Advisory Task Force on Alternative Schools. The John W. Gardner Center at Stanford University (2017-20)
Master of Arts Thesis Committee, Berklee College of Music, Benefits and Disadvantages of Do-It-Yourself (DYI) Artists and Record Labels (2019)
Doctoral Dissertation Committee, University of Southern California, Educational Journeys of Continuation School Students with Trauma and the Role of School Counselor Support (2018-19)
President, Educational Options Council, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA - 2018-21)
Coach, for candidates working on a Clear Administrative Services Credential (CASC), Leadership Institute of Riverside County (2016-21 )
Member, Statewide Advisory Taskforce on Alternative Education School Accountability, California Department of Education (CDE) and The John W. Gardner Center at Stanford University (2017-20)
Member, Accountability and Continuous Improvement Task Force, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA - 2017-18)
President-Elect, Educational Options Council, Association of California School Administrators (ACSA - 2016-18)
State President - California Continuation Education Association - CCEA (2014-18)
Juvenile Court Student Transition Statewide Work Group Member, appointed by Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, California Department of Education (2015)
Educational Options Council representative for Region 19 of Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) (2015-18)
Curriculum and Instruction Academy (ACSA, 2013-14)
Peer Reviewer, Journal of Juvenile Justice, Volume 2, Issue 2, Spring 2013
Special Education Academy (ACSA, 2012-13)
Pupil Services Academy (ACSA, 2011-12)
Chair and team member on California Model Continuation School visitation teams (2011)
President of District XII California Continuation Education Association (2010-11)
Placer County ACSA Charter liaison for Alternative Education / Educational Options

(2009-11)

Developed and implemented a Summer Bridge Intervention Program (SBIP) to support at-risk middle school students transition to high school (2009)
Achievement Gap Summit, California Department of Education, Sacramento (November 2007)
Continuation High School Principal's Institute (2007)
Member, WASC visitation committee (Spring 2007)
District Chairperson, Student Attendance Review Board (K-8), and District Chairperson, Student Attendance Mediation, (9-12) Rocklin Unified School District (2005-09)
Principal, Mid-Year Intervention Program - R.U.S.D. High School Night School Program -3 semesters (2003-04)
Principal, Rocklin Unified School District High School and Middle Summer School (2002-11)
New Site Administrators Institute (CSLA-NTP, 2000-01)
Principals Academy (ACSA, 1999-2000)
Instructional Resources Evaluation Panel (IREP) member: California Department of Education (1998)

RECOGNITION / AWARDS

2026 Employee of the Month (Glendale Unified School District)
2023 Continuation Educational Options Administrator of the Year (ACSA - CNMA Charter)
2018 Heart Award—RAPSA (Reaching At-Promise Students Association)
2018 Employee of the Quarter (Corona-Norco Unified School District)
2018 HERO Initiative of the Year award with special recognition (Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation)
2015 Pupil Personnel Services Administrator of the Year (ACSA - Region 19)
2014 California Model School Attendance Review Board Program (Corona-Norco Unified School District)
2011 Victory High School designated California Model Continuation School by state Superintendent Jack O’Connell
2010 Achieved first ever six year WASC Accreditation at both Victory High School and Rocklin Independent School2010Administrator of the Year—CCEA (California Continuation Education Association) District XII
2009 Administrator of the Year—ACSA Region 2(Continuation/Educational Options)
2009 Administrator of the Year—ACSA Placer County Charter (Continuation/Educational Options)
2007 Achieved three year initial WASC Accreditation at Victory HighSchool and Rocklin Independent School2003California Distinguished School—Granite Oaks Middle School
1998 Inclusion in the fifth edition of Who's Who Among America's Teachers
1997 Appointed to the Instructional Resources Evaluation Panel(California State Board of Education)

PRESENTATIONS and PUBLICATIONS

Ilic, M. (2026). When Learning Doesn't Travel. Glendale, CA: Euramcan Media.

Ilic, M. Student Advocacy. Presented at the California Continuation Education Association Plus (CCEA+) Conference in Burbank, CA, April 26, 2024.

Ilic, M. (2023). Educational Guide to Navigating Alternative Systems for At-Promise Youth. Glendale, CA: Euramcan Media.

Ilic, M. Student Advocacy. Presented at the ACSA Pupil Personnel ServicesAcademy in Upland, CA, September 15, 2023.

John W. Gardner Center for Youth and their Communities. (January, 2023). Model Procedures for the Identification, Voluntary Placement, and Induction of Students into Continuation High Schools in California. Stanford, CA: John W. Gardner Center for Youth and their Communities.

Ilic, M., Antonelli, J., Shirley, A. - Art of the Voluntary Transfer. Paper presented at the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)Leadership Summit in San Diego, CA, Nov. 4, 2022.

Ilic, M., Advocacy for Students. Presented at the ACSA Pupil Personnel Services Academy, Upland, CA, September 16, 2022.

Ilic, M., Simonovski, E., (2020, November). The Changing Face of Alternative Education. Paper presented at the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Virtual Leadership Summit, November 5, 2020.

John W. Gardner Center for Youth and their Communities. (September, 2020). Report and recommendations of the California Advisory Task Force on Alternative Schools. Stanford, CA: John W. Gardner Center for Youth and their Communities.

Ilic, M., (2018, October). The Changing Face of Alternative Education. Paper presented at the California Association of Black School Educators (CABSE) Conference in San Diego, CA, October 19, 2018.

Ilic, M., (2018, August). Moving Students From At-Risk to At-Promise. Paper presented at the Equity in Education Conference in Eastvale, CA, August 2-3, 2018.

Ilic, M., (2017, November). The Changing Face of Alternative Education. Paper presented at the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Leadership Summit in San Jose CA, November 2, 2017.

Ilic, M., (2017, October). The Changing Face of Alternative Education. Paper presented at the California Latino School Boards Association in Del Mar, CA, October 6, 2017.

Ilic, M., Stanton-Trehan, M., (2017, April). Voluntary Transfer of Youth out of Comprehensive Schools. Paper presented at the 2017 Foster Youth Education Summit in Sacramento, CA, April 19, 2017.

Ilic, M., (2016, November). Building, Improving, and Expanding a Model Foster Youth Program. Paper presented at the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Leadership Summit in San Diego, CA, November 10, 2016.

Ilic, M., (2016, April). Save Rate: A New Accountability System for Alternative Schools. Paper presented at the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) annual conference in Riverside, CA, April 30, 2014.

Ilic, M., (2016, April). Social Media and Cyberbullying. Paper presented at the CSEA Paraeducator Conference, Ontario, CA, April 13-14, 2016.

Ilic, M., Bartholomew, B., (2016, March). Foster Youth Support Services from the Perspectives of Two School Districts. Paper presented at the Riverside County Foster Youth Summit, Riverside, CA, March 11, 2016.

Ilic, M., (2016, January). Partnerships to Build, Improve, and Expand an Educational Pathway for Foster Youth. Paper presented at the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Every Child Counts Symposium, Monterey, CA, January 15, 2016.

Ilic, M. (2015, September). Social Media: Cyberbullying. Paper presented at the Parents Are Champions Conference, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA, September 3, 2015.

Ilic, M., Uesugi, K., Grothem, M. (2015, March). CNUSD & Norco College: A Partnership to Improve and Expand Services for Foster Youth through LCFF/LCAP. Paper presented at the Riverside County Foster Youth Summit, Moreno Valley, CA, March 27, 2015.

Ilic, M., Uesugi, K., Grothem, M. (2015, March). CNUSD & Norco College: A Partnership to Improve and Expand Services for Foster Youth through LCFF/LCAP. Paper presented at the California Foster Youth Summit, Pasadena, CA, March 23, 2015.

Ilic, M. (2015, January). Continuation Education In the Era of LCFF/LCAP.Paper presented at the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Every Child Counts Symposium, Monterey, CA, January 15, 2015.

Ilic, M. (2014, September 21). The changing face of continuation schools. Retrieved December 5, 2014, from http://acsablog.org/2014/09/21/continuation-education-in-the-age-of-lcff-and- lcap/

Ilic, M. (2014, May). CTE Model Curriculum Standards 2.0. Paper presentedat the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) annualconference in North Hollywood, CA, May 1-2, 2014.

Ilic, M. (2013). Dropouts, Student Mobility, and the Common Core.Unpublished Manuscript.

Ilic, M., (2013, January). Elements for Success in the Pivotal Year. Paper presented at the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Every Child Counts Symposium, Monterey, CA, January 17, 2013.

Ilic, M., (2012, November). Elements for Success in the Pivotal Year. Paper presented at the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Leadership Summit in San Diego, CA, November 8, 2012.

Ilic, M., (2012, April). Reducing County Charge-Backs with Suspended Expulsions. Paper presented at the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) annual conference in North Hollywood, CA, April 27, 2012.

Ilic, M., (2011). Effects of a summer bridge intervention program on 9th grade academic performance (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (Publication No. AAT 3461680).

Ilic, M., (2011, May). Graduation Portfolio as a Capstone Project. Paper presented at the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) annual conference in Oakland, CA, May 8, 2011.

Ilic, M., (2010, May). Credit Recovery for Alternative Education: Using the California Standards Test as a Common Summative Assessment. Paper presented at the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) annual conference in Los Angeles, CA, May 1, 2010.

Ilic, M., (2008). Proposal for a four-week middle school summer bridge intervention program. Unpublished manuscript.

Ilic, M., (1993). The Balkan Mass (Master’s thesis). Retrieved from http://www.worldcat.org/title/balkan-mass/oclc/29191964

Ilic, M., (1993). Some elements of musical style in two Tchaikovsky waltzes. In D. Cope (Ed.), Studies in musical style analysis. (pp. 23-31). Santa Cruz: University of California.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
Broadcast Music Inc (BMI)
California Association of Supervisors of Child, Welfare and Attendance (CASCWA)
California Continuation Education Association (CCEA)
National Alternative Education Association (NAEA)•
Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)