Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB2832

LRB104 16976 LNS 30390 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2832

Introduced 1/13/2026, by Sen. Lakesia Collins

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27-325 new
105 ILCS 5/27-605	was 105 ILCS 5/27-22

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, the State Board of Education shall establish a pilot program in 5 school districts requiring pupils in prekindergarten through grade 12 to receive developmental etiquette education. Provides that, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, every school district in this State shall require pupils in prekindergarten through grade 12 to receive developmental etiquette education. Sets forth the grades and instruction for developmental etiquette education, and requires feedback and evaluations. Provides that, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil in grade 12 must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete developmental etiquette education.

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY

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 27-325 and by changing Section 27-605 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-325 new)

Sec. 27-325. Developmental etiquette education.

(a) Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, the State Board of Education shall establish a pilot program in 5 school districts with a diverse student population requiring pupils in prekindergarten through grade 12 to receive developmental etiquette education, including instruction on critical interpersonal skills, conflict resolution skills, and professional conduct skills. The goals of the pilot program include reduced classroom disruptions, improved peer relationships, safer digital behavior, and greater preparedness for adulthood and the workforce.

(b) Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, every school district in this State shall require pupils in prekindergarten through grade 12 to receive developmental etiquette education, including instruction on critical interpersonal skills, conflict resolution skills, and professional conduct skills.

(c) Developmental etiquette education under this Section shall be offered in the following grades:

(1) Prekindergarten and kindergarten. Instruction in these grades shall include sharing basic manners and greeting others.

(2) Grades one through 3. Instruction in these grades shall include listening, apologizing, taking turns, and cooperation.

(3) Grade 6. Instruction in this grade shall include peer communication, empathy, and personal responsibility.

(4) Grade 8. Instruction in this grade shall include cyber etiquette, resolving disputes, and bystander skills.

(5) Grade 9. Instruction in this grade shall include first impressions, posture, and polite conversation.

(6) Grade 12. Instruction in this grade shall include interviewing, networking, and workplace etiquette and a capstone project to showcase the etiquette skills acquired.

Developmental etiquette education under this Section shall be comprised of practical activities, including role-playing exercises, discussions, and presentations by guest speakers.

(d) The State Board of Education shall annually receive feedback from school districts about and evaluate the implementation of developmental etiquette education in schools.

(105 ILCS 5/27-605) (was 105 ILCS 5/27-22)

Sec. 27-605. Required high school courses.

(a) (Blank).

(b) (Blank).

(c) (Blank).

(d) (Blank).

(e) Through the 2023-2024 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:

(1) Four years of language arts.

(2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course. A mathematics course that includes geometry content may be offered as an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education course that prepares a student for a career readiness path.

(3.5) For pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2022-2023 school year and 2023-2024 school year, one year of a course that includes intensive instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and which may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(4) Two years of science.

(5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2016-2017 school year and each school year thereafter, at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. Beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year, one semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course.

(6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C) foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, (D) vocational education, or (E) forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech course used to satisfy the course requirement under subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course requirement under this subdivision (6).

(e-5) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:

(1) Four years of language arts.

(2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. If applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course. A mathematics course that includes geometry content may be offered as an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education course that prepares a student for a career readiness path.

(3.5) One year of a course that includes intensive instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and which may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(4) Two years of laboratory science.

(5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. One semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course.

(6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C) foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, (D) career and technical education, or (E) forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech course used to satisfy the course requirement under subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course requirement under this subdivision (6).

(e-10) Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete 2 years of foreign language courses, which may include American Sign Language. A pupil may choose a third year of foreign language to satisfy the requirement under subdivision (6) of subsection (e-5).

(e-15) Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil in grade 12 must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete developmental etiquette education under paragraph (6) of subsection (c) of Section 27-325.

(f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform school districts of standards for writing-intensive coursework.

(f-5) If a school district offers an Advanced Placement computer science course to high school students, then the school board must designate that course as equivalent to a high school mathematics course and must denote on the student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of this Section.

(g) Public Act 83-1082 does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in 1983-1984 school year and prior school years or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

Public Act 94-676 does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

Subdivision (3.5) of subsection (e) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

Subsection (e-5) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2023-2024 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

Subsection (e-10) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2027-2028 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

Subsection (e-15) does not apply to pupils in grade 12 in the 2027-2028 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individual education program.

(h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the provisions of Sections 14A-32 and 27-610 of this Code and the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.

(Source: P.A. 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-743, eff. 8-2-24; 104-387, eff. 8-15-25; 104-391, eff. 8-15-25; revised 9-24-25.)