093_SB0201
LRB093 07446 NHT 07611 b
1 AN ACT concerning education.
2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
4 Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Article
5 1G as follows:
6 (105 ILCS 5/Art. 1G heading new)
7 ARTICLE 1G. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE
8 BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
9 (105 ILCS 5/1G-1 new)
10 Sec. 1G-1. Purpose. The purpose of this Article is to
11 permit greater flexibility and efficiency in the
12 distribution and use of certain State funds available to
13 local education agencies in order to ensure that students
14 meet or exceed the Illinois Learning Standards in mathematics
15 and science. The State Board of Education shall administer a
16 Mathematics and Science Block Grant Program and award Program
17 funds to eligible recipients upon application. As used in
18 this Section, "school district" shall include those schools
19 designated as "laboratory schools".
20 (105 ILCS 5/1G-5 new)
21 Sec. 1G-5. Authorized Uses. Mathematics and Science
22 Block Grant Program funds shall be used in the following
23 manner consistent with application requirements established
24 by the State Board of Education as provided in Section 1G-15
25 of this Article:
26 (1) To expand learning opportunities in grades
27 kindergarten through 8, to ensure that every student
28 meets the Illinois Learning Standards for mathematics, as
29 defined by the learning benchmarks and relevant
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1 performance standards for middle and junior high schools,
2 by the end of eighth grade, including standards related
3 to number sense, estimation and measurement, algebra and
4 analytical methods, geometry, data analysis, and
5 probability;
6 (2) To expand learning opportunities in grades
7 kindergarten through 8, to ensure that every student
8 meets the Illinois Learning Standards for mathematics, as
9 defined by the learning benchmarks and relevant
10 performance standards for middle and junior high schools,
11 by the end of eighth grade, including standards related
12 to inquiry and design; concepts and principles of
13 science; and science, technology, and society;
14 (3) To train and retrain teachers of grades
15 kindergarten through 12 to be more proficient in the
16 teaching of mathematics and science by providing
17 professional development opportunities;
18 (4) To improve curriculum, instruction, and
19 assessment relevant to the Illinois Learning Standards
20 for grades kindergarten through 12; and
21 (5) To supply classrooms with materials and
22 equipment related to the teaching and learning of
23 mathematics and science.
24 (105 ILCS 5/1G-10 new)
25 Sec. 1G-10. Allocation. Mathematics and Science Block
26 Grant Program funds shall be distributed to school districts
27 based upon available appropriations and rules established by
28 the State Board of Education. Distribution of moneys to
29 school districts shall be made in semi-annual installment
30 payments, one payment to be made on or before October 30, and
31 one payment to be made prior to April 30 of each year.
32 (105 ILCS 5/1G-15 new)
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1 Sec. 1G-15. Application. Mathematics and Science Block
2 Grant Program funds shall be made available to each eligible
3 school district upon completion of an application process
4 that is consistent with rules established by the State Board
5 of Education. The application shall include the planned use
6 of the funds.
7 (105 ILCS 5/1G-20 new)
8 Sec. 1G-20. Rules. The State Board of Education shall
9 adopt rules as may be necessary to implement the provisions
10 of this Article.
11 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July
12 1, 2003.