SB3851sam001 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Laura M. Murphy

Filed: 2/18/2022

10200SB3851sam001 LRB102 23655 RJT 36644 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 3851

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 3851 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 1. This Act may be referred to as the Supporting Special Needs Students Act.

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 2-3.11e and by changing Section 2-3.25 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.11e new)

Sec. 2-3.11e. Adult students receiving special education services; computation of completion rates. The General Assembly finds that for the purposes of calculating completion rates, certain adult students receiving special education services have completed the requirements for graduation and are eligible for a diploma with their cohort, but the withholding of graduate status at the school level permits a continuation of special education services in a population that would otherwise have received a standard diploma and be considered graduates. Relating to the inclusion of certain adult students receiving special education services in the computation of completion rates for purposes of public school accountability, when computing completion rates under Section 10-17a, the State Superintendent of Education shall include students who:

(1) are at least 18 years of age as of September 1 of the school year as reported for the fall semester and have satisfied the credit requirements for high school graduation;

(2) have not completed their individualized education program in accordance with Section 14-1.02 of this Code and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.); and

(3) are enrolled and receiving individualized education program services.

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.25) (from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.25)

Sec. 2-3.25. Standards for schools.

(a) To determine for all types of schools conducted under this Act efficient and adequate standards for the physical plant, heating, lighting, ventilation, sanitation, safety, equipment and supplies, instruction and teaching, curriculum, library, operation, maintenance, administration and supervision, and to issue, refuse to issue or revoke certificates of recognition for schools or school districts pursuant to standards established hereunder; to determine and establish efficient and adequate standards for approval of credit for courses given and conducted by schools outside of the regular school term.

(a-5) On or before July 1, 2021, the State Board of Education must adopt revised social science learning standards that are inclusive and reflective of all individuals in this country.

(b) Whenever it appears that a secondary or unit school district may be unable to offer courses enabling students in grades 9 through 12 to meet the minimum preparation and admission requirements for public colleges and universities adopted by the Board of Higher Education, the State Board of Education shall assist the district in reviewing and analyzing its existing curriculum with particular reference to the educational needs of all pupils of the district and the sufficiency of existing and future revenues and payments available to the district for development of a curriculum which will provide maximum educational opportunity to pupils of the district. The review and analysis may consider achievement of this goal not only through implementation of traditional classroom methods but also through development of and participation in joint educational programs with other school districts or institutions of higher education, or alternative programs employing modern technological methods including but not limited to the use of television, telephones, computers, radio and other electronic devices.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, in high school districts providing transition services in counties with populations greater than 800,000 but less than 4,000,000 where there are 2 high schools individually serving grades 9 through 12 and where enrollment is less than 2,500 at any school, enrollment shall be balanced across high schools within the district equally, not to exceed a 15% enrollment difference when averaged over the previous 3 consecutive years.

(Source: P.A. 101-654, eff. 3-8-21.)".