HB4070 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 32002 RJT 60816 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4070

Introduced 5/4/2023, by Rep. Dave Severin - Dan Swanson - Kevin Schmidt - David Friess, Travis Weaver, et al.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/2-3.196 new

Amends the School Code. Provides that in consultation with education stakeholders, the State Board of Education shall develop a comprehensive literacy plan for the State that at a minimum, addresses specified areas. Provides that the State Board shall develop and adopt a comprehensive literacy plan for the State on or before January 31, 2024. Provides that the State Board shall adopt rules necessary to implement this Section. Effective immediately.

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 2-3.196 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.196 new)

Sec. 2-3.196. Comprehensive literacy plan.

(a) In consultation with education stakeholders, the State Board of Education shall develop a comprehensive literacy plan for the State that at a minimum, addresses the following areas:

(1) developing goals for the optimal number of students assigned to each kindergarten through grade 6 classroom.

(2) developing a comprehensive reading teacher content area test that shall be taken by any candidate for an endorsement as a reading teacher or reading specialist that addresses the following foundations:

(A) phonological and phonemic awareness;

(B) concepts of print and the alphabetic principle;

(C) the role of phonics in promoting reading development;

(D) word analysis skills and strategies;

(E) vocabulary development;

(F) linguistics;

(G) morphology;

(H) application of reading comprehension skills and strategies; and

(I) methods for assessing reading development;

(3) establishing a grant program that makes funding available to school districts to hire reading teachers, reading specialists, literacy specialists, or reading and literacy coaches; and

(4) establishing a grant program that may be used by a school district to provide additional bonuses to any educator that has achieved or is seeking a Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist Endorsement on their Professional Educator License.

(b) The State Board of Education shall develop and adopt a comprehensive literacy plan on or before January 31, 2024.

(c) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules necessary to implement this Section.

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