Public Act 0721 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB6136 Enrolled LRB099 18158 NHT 45062 b

Public Act 099-0721

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 2-3.167 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.167 new)

Sec. 2-3.167. Advisory Council on At-Risk Students.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "at-risk students" means students served by the Department of Human Services who receive services through Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Children's Health Insurance Program, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, as well as students under the legal custody of the Department of Children and Family Services. Students may not be counted more than once for receiving multiple services from the Department of Human Services or if they receive those services and are under the legal custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

(b) The Advisory Council on At-Risk Students is created within the State Board of Education. The Advisory Council shall consist of all of the following members:

(1) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(2) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(3) One member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.

(4) One member of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(5) The following members appointed by the State Superintendent of Education:

(A) One member who is an educator representing a statewide professional teachers' organization.

(B) One member who is an educator representing a different statewide professional teachers' organization.

(C) One member who is an educator representing a professional teachers' organization in a city having a population exceeding 500,000.

(D) One member from an organization that works for economic, educational, and social progress for African Americans and promotes strong sustainable communities through advocacy, collaboration, and innovation.

(E) One member from an organization that facilitates the involvement of Latino Americans at all levels of public decision-making.

(F) One member from an organization focused on research-based education policy to support a school system that prepares all students for college, a career, and democratic citizenship.

(G) One member from an organization dedicated to advocating for public policies to prevent homelessness.

(H) One member from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

(I) One member from an organization that works to ensure the health and safety of Illinois youth and families by providing capacity building services.

(J) One member from an organization that provides public high school students with opportunities to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college, and beyond.

(K) One member from an organization that promotes the strengths and abilities of youth and families by providing community-based services that empower each to face life's challenges with confidence, competence, and dignity.

(L) One member from an organization that connects former members of the foster care system with current children in the foster care system.

(M) One member who has experience with research and statistics.

(N) Three members who are parents of at-risk students.

(O) One member from an organization that optimizes the positive growth of at-risk youth and individuals working with at-risk youth through support services.

(P) One member from a statewide organization representing regional offices of education. Members of the Council shall, to the extent possible, be selected on the basis of experience with or knowledge of various programs for at-risk students. The Council shall, to the extent possible, include diverse membership from a variety of socio-economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.

(c) Initial members of the Council shall serve terms determined by lot as follows:

(1) Seven members shall serve for one year.

(2) Seven members shall serve for 2 years.

(3) The remaining members shall serve for 3 years. Successors shall serve 3-year terms. Members must serve until their successors are appointed and have qualified.

(d) Members of the Council shall not receive compensation for the performance of their duties on the Council.

(e) The Council shall initially meet at the call of the State Superintendent of Education. At the initial meeting, members shall select a chairperson from among their number by majority vote; a representative from the State Board of Education may cast a deciding vote if there is a tie. The Council shall select a chairperson annually, who may be the same chairperson as the year prior. The Council shall meet at the call of the chairperson after the initial meeting.

(f) The State Board of Education and City of Chicago School District 299 shall provide administrative support to the Council.

(g) The Council shall accept and consider public comments when making its recommendations.

(h) By no later than December 15, 2017, the Council shall submit a report to the State Superintendent of Education, the Governor, and the General Assembly addressing, at a minimum, the following with respect to school districts where racial minorities comprise a majority of the student population:

(1) What are the barriers to success present for at-risk students?

(2) How much does socio-economic status impact academic and career achievement?

(3) How do at-risk students perform academically?

(4) How do at-risk students perform academically compared to students from higher socio-economic statuses?

(5) What programs are shown to help at-risk students reach higher levels of academic and career achievement?

(6) What specific curriculums help the academic success of at-risk students?

(7) Of curriculums that help at-risk students, which of these need to be implemented within the Illinois Learning Standards?

(8) To what degree do school districts teach cultural history, and how can this be improved?

(9) Specific policy recommendations to improve the academic success of at-risk students.

(10) Any other information that the Council determines will assist in the understanding of the barriers to success for or increase the academic performance of at-risk students. The Council shall submit an annual report with updated information on the barriers to academic success and the academic progress of at-risk students by no later than December 15 of each year beginning the year after the initial report is submitted.

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

Effective Date: 8/5/2016