HB3500eng 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3500 Engrossed LRB094 07158 NHT 37312 b

AN ACT relating to education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section 2-3.25d as follows:

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

Sec. 2-3.25d. Academic early warning and watch status.

(a) Those schools that do not meet adequate yearly progress criteria, as specified by the State Board of Education through the adoption of rules, for 2 consecutive annual calculations, shall be placed on academic early warning status for the next school year. Schools on academic early warning status that do not meet adequate yearly progress criteria for a third annual calculation shall remain on academic early warning status. Schools on academic early warning status that do not meet adequate yearly progress criteria for a fourth annual calculation shall be placed on initial academic watch status. Schools on academic watch status that do not meet adequate yearly progress criteria for a fifth or subsequent annual calculation shall remain on academic watch status. Schools on academic early warning or academic watch status that meet adequate yearly progress criteria for one annual calculation shall be acknowledged for making improvement and shall maintain their current statuses for the next school year. Schools on academic early warning or academic watch status that meet adequate yearly progress criteria for 2 consecutive annual calculations shall be considered as having met expectations and shall be removed from any status designation.

The school district of a school placed on either academic early warning status or academic watch status may appeal the status to the State Board of Education in accordance with Section 2-3.25m of this Code.

A school district that has one or more schools on academic early warning or academic watch status shall prepare a revised School Improvement Plan or amendments thereto setting forth the district's expectations for removing each school from academic early warning or academic watch status and for improving student performance in the affected school or schools. Districts operating under Article 34 of this Code may prepare the School Improvement Plan required under Section 34-2.4 of this Code.

The revised School Improvement Plan for a school that is initially placed on academic early warning status or that remains on academic early warning status after a third annual calculation must be approved by the school board (and by the school's local school council in a district operating under Article 34 of this Code, unless the school is on probation pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 34-8.3 of this Code).

The revised School Improvement Plan for a school placed on initial academic watch status after a fourth annual calculation must be approved by the school board (and by the school's local school council in a district operating under Article 34 of this Code, unless the school is on probation pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 34-8.3 of this Code) and the State Superintendent of Education.

The revised School Improvement Plan for a school that remains on academic watch status after a fifth annual calculation must be approved by the school board (and by the school's local school council in a district operating under Article 34 of this Code, unless the school is on probation pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 34-8.3 of this Code) and the State Superintendent of Education. In addition, the district must develop a school restructuring plan for the school that must be approved by the school board (and by the school's local school council in a district operating under Article 34 of this Code) and subsequently approved by the State Superintendent of Education.

A school on academic watch status that does not meet adequate yearly progress criteria for a sixth annual calculation shall implement its approved school restructuring plan beginning with the next school year, subject to the State interventions specified in Section 2-3.25f of this Code.

(b) Those school districts that do not meet adequate yearly progress criteria, as specified by the State Board of Education through the adoption of rules, for 2 consecutive annual calculations, shall be placed on academic early warning status for the next school year. Districts on academic early warning status that do not meet adequate yearly progress criteria for a third annual calculation shall remain on academic early warning status. Districts on academic early warning status that do not meet adequate yearly progress criteria for a fourth annual calculation shall be placed on initial academic watch status. Districts on academic watch status that do not meet adequate yearly progress criteria for a fifth or subsequent annual calculation shall remain on academic watch status. Districts on academic early warning or academic watch status that meet adequate yearly progress criteria for one annual calculation shall be acknowledged for making improvement and shall maintain their current statuses for the next school year. Districts on academic early warning or academic watch status that meet adequate yearly progress criteria for 2 consecutive annual calculations shall be considered as having met expectations and shall be removed from any status designation.

A district placed on either academic early warning status or academic watch status may appeal the status to the State Board of Education in accordance with Section 2-3.25m of this Code.

Districts on academic early warning or academic watch status shall prepare a District Improvement Plan or amendments thereto setting forth the district's expectations for removing the district from academic early warning or academic watch status and for improving student performance in the district.

The District Improvement Plan for a district that is initially placed on academic early warning status must be approved by the school board.

The revised District Improvement Plan for a district that remains on academic early warning status after a third annual calculation must be approved by the school board.

The revised District Improvement Plan for a district on initial academic watch status after a fourth annual calculation must be approved by the school board and the State Superintendent of Education.

The revised District Improvement Plan for a district that remains on academic watch status after a fifth annual calculation must be approved by the school board and the State Superintendent of Education. In addition, the district must develop a district restructuring plan that must be approved by the school board and the State Superintendent of Education.

A district on academic watch status that does not meet adequate yearly progress criteria for a sixth annual calculation shall implement its approved district restructuring plan beginning with the next school year, subject to the State interventions specified in Section 2-3.25f of this Code.

(b-5) For the purpose of calculating adequate yearly progress under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section by the State, a school district, or a school, a full academic year must be defined as continuous enrollment of a student in the district or school for 176 days of pupil attendance prior to the date of the administration of State assessments. Nothing in this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly prohibits a school district or school from administering a State assessment to any student for the purpose of assessing the student's mastery of the curriculum.

(c) All revised School and District Improvement Plans shall be developed in collaboration with staff in the affected school or school district. All revised School and District Improvement Plans shall be developed, submitted, and approved pursuant to rules adopted by the State Board of Education. The revised Improvement Plan shall address measurable outcomes for improving student performance so that such performance meets adequate yearly progress criteria as specified by the State Board of Education.

(d) All federal requirements apply to schools and school districts utilizing federal funds under Title I, Part A of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

(e) The State Board of Education, from any moneys it may have available for this purpose, must implement and administer a grant program that provides 2-year grants to school districts on the academic watch list and other school districts that have the lowest achieving students, as determined by the State Board of Education, to be used to improve student achievement. In order to receive a grant under this program, a school district must establish an accountability program. The accountability program must involve the use of statewide testing standards and local evaluation measures. A grant shall be automatically renewed when achievement goals are met. The Board may adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer this grant program.

(Source: P.A. 93-470, eff. 8-8-03; 93-890, eff. 8-9-04.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.