Public Act 096-1152
 
HB5481 EnrolledLRB096 17129 MJR 32454 b

    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 changing Sections
14A-30 and 14A-45 as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 5/14A-30)
    Sec. 14A-30. Funding of local gifted education programs
Local programs; requirements. A In order for a local program
for the education of gifted and talented children may to be
approved for funding by the State Board of Education, pursuant
to a request for proposals process in order to qualify for
State funding, if funds for that purpose are available and,
beginning with , as of the beginning of the 2010-2011 2006-2007
academic year, if the local program submits an application for
funds that includes a comprehensive plan (i) showing that the
applicant is capable of meeting a portion of must meet the
following minimum requirements, (ii) showing the program
elements currently in place and a timeline for implementation
of other elements, and (iii) demonstrating to the satisfaction
of the State Board of Education that the applicant is capable
of implementing a program of gifted education consistent with
this Article and demonstrate the fulfillment of these
requirements in a written program description submitted to the
State Board of Education by the local educational agency
operating the program and modified if the program is
substantively altered:
        (1) The use of a minimum of 3 assessment measures used
    to identify gifted and talented children in each area in
    which a program for gifted and talented children is
    established, which may include without limitation scores
    on standardized achievement tests, observation checklists,
    portfolios, and currently-used district assessments.
        (2) A priority emphasis on language arts and
    mathematics.
        (3) An identification method that uses the definition
    of gifted and talented children as defined in Section
    14A-20 of this Code.
        (4) Assessment instruments sensitive to the inclusion
    of underrepresented groups, including low-income students,
    minority students, and English language learners.
        (5) A process of identification of gifted and talented
    children that is of equal rigor in each area of aptitude
    addressed by the program.
        (6) The use of identification procedures that
    appropriately correspond with the planned programs,
    curricula, and services.
        (7) A fair and equitable decision-making process.
        (8) The availability of a fair and impartial appeal
    process within the school, school district, or cooperative
    of school districts operating a program for parents or
    guardians whose children are aggrieved by a decision of the
    school, school district, or cooperative of school
    districts regarding eligibility for participation in a
    program.
        (9) Procedures for annually informing the community
    at-large, including parents, about the program and the
    methods used for the identification of gifted and talented
    children.
        (10) Procedures for notifying parents or guardians of a
    child of a decision affecting that child's participation in
    a program.
        (11) A description of how gifted and talented children
    will be grouped and instructed in order to maximize the
    educational benefits the children derive from
    participation in the program, including curriculum
    modifications and options that accelerate and add depth and
    complexity to the curriculum content.
        (12) An explanation of how the program emphasizes
    higher-level skills attainment, including problem-solving,
    critical thinking, creative thinking, and research skills,
    as embedded within relevant content areas.
        (13) A methodology for measuring academic growth for
    gifted and talented children and a procedure for
    communicating a child's progress to his or her parents or
    guardian, including, but not limited to, a report card.
        (14) The collection of data on growth in learning for
    children in a program for gifted and talented children and
    the reporting of the data to the State Board of Education.
        (15) The designation of a supervisor responsible for
    overseeing the educational program for gifted and talented
    children.
        (16) A showing that the certified teachers who are
    assigned to teach gifted and talented children understand
    the characteristics and educational needs of children and
    are able to differentiate the curriculum and apply
    instructional methods to meet the needs of the children.
        (17) Plans for the continuation of professional
    development for staff assigned to the program serving
    gifted and talented children.
(Source: P.A. 94-151, eff. 7-8-05; 94-410, eff. 8-2-05; 95-331,
eff. 8-21-07.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/14A-45)
    Sec. 14A-45. Grants for services and materials. Subject to
the availability of categorical grant funding or other funding
appropriated for such purposes, the State Board of Education
shall make grants available to fund educational programs for
gifted and talented children. A request-for-proposal process
shall be used in awarding grants for services and materials,
with carry over to the next fiscal year, under this Section. A
proposal may be submitted to the State Board of Education by a
school district, 2 or more cooperating school districts, a
county, 2 or more cooperating counties, an established
professional organization in gifted education, or a regional
office of education. The proposals shall include a statement of
the qualifications and duties of the personnel required in the
field of diagnostic, counseling, and consultative services and
the educational materials necessary. Upon receipt, the State
Board of Education shall evaluate the proposals in accordance
with criteria developed by the State Board of Education that is
consistent with this Article and shall award grants to the
extent funding is available. Educational programs for gifted
and talented children may be offered during the regular school
term and may include optional summer programs. As a condition
for State funding, a grantee must comply with the requirements
of this Article.
(Source: P.A. 94-151, eff. 7-8-05; 94-410, eff. 8-2-05.)
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.