HB3378 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB098 07708 NHT 37785 b

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB3378

Introduced , by Rep. Silvana Tabares

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Dual Enrollment and Dual Credit Act. Requires each school board of a school district that maintains a high school and each board of trustees of a community college district to establish a dual enrollment and dual credit option program under which potential or recent high school student dropouts may dually enroll in their home high school and the local community college in a dual credit program consisting of high school completion coursework and a community college credential, certificate, or degree program. Provides that students completing the program may obtain their high school diploma while obtaining a community college credential, certificate, or degree. Requires the Department of Employment Security to assist students who have successfully completed the program in securing a job upon the application of the student or the participating high school or community college. Requires the State Board of Education to establish criteria for the program. Sets forth other program requirements. Provides for State funding. Effective immediately.

STATE DEBT IMPACT 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 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Dual Enrollment and Dual Credit Act.

Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:

"Board of trustees" means the board of trustees of a public community college district in this State.

"Program" means a dual enrollment and dual credit option program for potential or recent high school student dropouts to dually enroll in their home high school and the local community college in a dual credit program consisting of high school completion coursework and a credential, certificate, or degree program at the community college.

"School board" means the school board of a public school district located in this State that maintains a high school.

Section 10. Establishment of program.

(a) Each school board and board of trustees shall establish a dual enrollment and dual credit option program under which potential or recent high school student dropouts may dually enroll in their home high school and the local community college in a dual credit program consisting of high school completion coursework and a community college credential, certificate, or degree program. Students completing the program may obtain their high school diploma while obtaining a community college credential, certificate, or degree.

(b) The Department of Employment Security shall assist students who have successfully completed the program in securing a job upon the application of the student or the participating high school or community college.

(c) The program shall be implemented statewide in the 2013-2014 school year and thereafter.

(d) The State Board of Education shall establish criteria for the program.

(e) Students enrolled in the program are not eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics or other extracurricular activities at the home school district.

(f) Tuition and costs for community college courses offered under the program must not be charged to the student or the student's parents or legal guardians.

(g) If dually enrolled, the student shall be counted in the average daily attendance of the school district in which the student attends high school under Section 18-8.05 of the School Code.

(h) Any transportation required by the student to participate in the program is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian of the student, and transportation costs may be paid from any available public or private sources, including the school district.

(i) Grades and college credits earned by a student admitted to the program must be recorded on the high school student record and on the college transcript at the community college and high school where the student attends classes. The transcript of the community college coursework may be released to another institution or applied toward college graduation requirements. Any course that is required for graduation from high school is eligible for dual credit, and courses eligible for dual credit shall also include career, technical, and degree program courses. All courses eligible for dual credit must be approved by the superintendent of the school district and the chief instructional officer at the participating community college in order for college credit to be awarded. A community college shall make the final decision on what courses are eligible for semester hour credits, and the superintendent of the school district, subject to approval by the State Board of Education, shall make the final decision on the transfer of college courses credited to the student's high school transcript.

(j) The State Board of Education shall make payments for programs to the home high school in which the student is enrolled, in accordance with rules adopted by the State Board of Education. The community college providing services to students in a program shall require payment from the home school district for services provided to such students at a rate as determined by the State Board of Education. All State funding shall cease upon completion of a student's high school graduation requirements.

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