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1    AN ACT concerning education.

 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly: 



 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended  by changing Section 
514A-30 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/14A-30)
7    Sec. 14A-30. Funding of local gifted education programs. A 
8local program for the education of gifted and talented children 
9may be approved for funding by the State Board of Education, 
10pursuant to a request for proposals process, if funds for that 
11purpose are available and, beginning with the beginning of the 
122010-2011 academic year, if the local program submits an 
13application for funds that includes a comprehensive plan (i) 
14showing that the applicant is capable of meeting a portion of 
15the following requirements, (ii) showing the program elements 
16currently in place and a timeline for implementation of other 
17elements, and (iii) demonstrating to the satisfaction of the 
18State Board of Education that the applicant is capable of 
19implementing a program of gifted education consistent with this 
20Article:
21        (1) The use of assessment instruments, such as 
22    nonverbal ability tests and tests in students' native 
23    languages, and a selection process that is equitable to and 
 
 
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1    inclusive of underrepresented groups, including low-income 
2    students, minority students, students with disabilities, 
3    twice-exceptional students, and English learners. The use 
4    of a minimum of 3 assessment measures used to identify 
5    gifted and talented children in each area in which a 
6    program for gifted and talented children is established, 
7    which may include without limitation scores on 
8    standardized achievement tests, observation checklists, 
9    portfolios, and currently-used district assessments.
10        (2) A priority emphasis on language arts and 
11    mathematics.
12        (3) The use of multiple valid assessments that assess 
13    both demonstrated achievement and potential for 
14    achievement, including cognitive ability tests and general 
15    or subject specific achievement tests, applied universally 
16    to all students, and appropriate for the content focus of 
17    the gifted services that will be provided.  School districts 
18    and schools may add other local, valid assessments, such as 
19    portfolios.  Assessments and selection processes must 
20    ensure multiple pathways into the program.   An 
21    identification method that uses the definition of gifted 
22    and talented children as defined in Section 14A-20 of this 
23    Code.
24        (4) The use of score ranges on assessments that are 
25    appropriate for the school or district population, 
26    including the use of local norms for achievement to 
 
 
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1    identify high potential students. Assessment instruments 
2    sensitive to the inclusion of underrepresented groups, 
3    including low-income students, minority students, and 
4    English language learners.
5        (5) A process of identification of gifted and talented 
6    children that is of equal rigor in each area of aptitude 
7    addressed by the program.
8        (6) The use of identification procedures that 
9    appropriately correspond with the planned programs, 
10    curricula, and services.
11        (7) A fair and equitable decision-making process.
12        (8) The availability of a fair and impartial appeal 
13    process within the school, school district, or cooperative 
14    of school districts operating a program for parents or 
15    guardians whose children are aggrieved by a decision of the 
16    school, school district, or cooperative of school 
17    districts regarding eligibility for participation in a 
18    program.
19        (9) Procedures for annually informing the community 
20    at-large, including parents, about the program and the 
21    methods used for the identification of gifted and talented 
22    children.
23        (10) Procedures for notifying parents or guardians of a 
24    child of a decision affecting that child's participation in 
25    a program.
26        (11) A description of how gifted and talented children 
 
 
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1    will be grouped and instructed in order to maximize the 
2    educational benefits the children derive from 
3    participation in the program, including curriculum 
4    modifications and options that accelerate and add depth and 
5    complexity to the curriculum content.
6        (12) An explanation of how the program emphasizes 
7    higher-level skills attainment,

including problem-solving, 
8    critical thinking, creative thinking, and research skills, 
9    as embedded within relevant content areas.
10        (13) A methodology for measuring academic growth for 
11    gifted and talented children and a procedure for 
12    communicating a child's progress to his or her parents or 
13    guardian, including, but not limited to, a report card.
14        (14) The collection of data on growth in learning for 
15    children in a program for gifted and talented children and 
16    the reporting of the data to the State Board of Education.
17        (15) The designation of a supervisor responsible for 
18    overseeing the educational program for gifted and talented 
19    children.
20        (16) A showing that the certified teachers who are 
21    assigned to teach gifted and talented children understand 
22    the characteristics and educational needs of children and 
23    are able to differentiate the curriculum and apply 
24    instructional methods to meet the needs of the children.
25        (17) Plans for the continuation of professional 
26    development for staff assigned to the program serving 
 
 
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1    gifted and talented children.

2(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 96-1152, eff. 7-21-10.)
 

3    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
4becoming law.