HB0139 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 05197 NHT 45246 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB0139

Introduced 1/18/2011, by Rep. LaShawn K. Ford

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/34-18.45 new

Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Requires the Chicago Board of Education to establish a basic skills class for students in each of grades 4, 5, and 6. Provides that if a 3rd grade student is at least 2 grade levels behind in reading or mathematics, based on an assessment of the student's reading and mathematics skills, the student must be placed in a basic skills class when he or she is in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades until he or she completes 6th grade or attains reading or mathematics skills that are at or above the 6th grade level, whichever occurs first. Requires the State Board of Education to create the appropriate curriculum for the basic skills class, establish learning objectives for students in a basic skills class, and provide lesson plans for the basic skills class.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning 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 adding Section 34-18.45 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/34-18.45 new)

Sec. 34-18.45. Basic skills class.

(a) The board shall establish a basic skills class for students in each of grades 4, 5, and 6. If a 3rd grade student is at least 2 grade levels behind in reading or mathematics, based on an assessment of the student's reading and mathematics skills, the student must be placed in a basic skills class when he or she is in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades until he or she completes 6th grade or attains reading or mathematics skills that are at or above the 6th grade level, whichever occurs first.

(b) The basic skills class shall serve those students who at the end of 3rd grade are not performing at grade level in reading or mathematics by furnishing those students with a separate classroom environment in which they can be given additional assistance and instruction in reading or mathematics with the goal of attaining reading or mathematics skills at or above the 6th grade level upon the completion of 6th grade. The basic skills class must not be classified as a special education class.

(c) The State Board of Education shall create the appropriate curriculum for the basic skills class, establish learning objectives for students in a basic skills class, and provide lesson plans for the basic skills class.