Section 2405.20  Juvenile Educational Programs

a)         The opportunity for educational programs shall be available in the Department and through the Department of Juvenile Justice School District #428.  Nothing in this Part shall be construed to require educational opportunities for all committed persons, except as otherwise provided in Section 2405.60 or in Sections 3-6-2 and 3-9-1 of the Unified Code of Corrections.   Department of Juvenile Justice educational programs shall include:

1)         Basic education and GED;

2)         High school credits;

3)         Special education;

4)         CTE; and

5)         Post-secondary education, when possible.

b)         Committed youth shall be assessed upon being received in the Department to determine academic abilities.

c)         In determining the most appropriate educational programs, the Department shall consider, among other factors, the committed youth's composite scores on achievement tests, the safety and security of the facility or any person, staff recommendations, requirements for admission to specific programs, administrative concerns, and the committed youth's institutional behavior, disciplinary record, educational record and projected release date.

d)         In youth centers, committed youth may be eligible to enroll in:

1)         Basic Education if they test below the eighth grade level.

2)         GED training if they test at the eighth grade level or above and they do not have a verified diploma.

3)         High School credits if they test at the eighth grade level or above and they do not have a verified diploma.

4)         Special Education regardless of test scores.

5)         School District #428 CTE if they test at the third grade level or above.

6)         College CTE programs if they have a verified diploma or as otherwise approved in writing by the Superintendent.

7)         Two-year college academic programs (associate level courses) if they have a verified diploma.

8)         Four-year college or university academic programs (Bachelor's level courses) if they have a verified diploma.

f)         Committed youth shall be required to attend and actively participate in classes for which they are enrolled and shall be subject to discipline under 20 Ill. Adm. Code 2504 (Discipline and Grievances), unless absent due to verified illnesses, approved visits, court writs, furloughs, discipline, lockdowns or other reasons approved by the Chief Administrative Officer.  Active participation shall mean, but shall not be limited to, instances in which the committed youth is attentive, responsive and cooperative and completes assigned work.

g)         Committed youth shall adhere to attendance requirements of the educational program in which they are enrolled:

1)         Committed youth enrolled in non-college academic programs in  youth centers shall be required to attend and to actively participate in the number of instructional days specified to complete the program and shall not be absent from the program or shall not be documented as not actively participating in the program for more than 30 instructional days, not including days absent due to lockdowns.

2)         Youth committed in the Aftercare Services Division and committed youth enrolled in college academic courses shall attend scheduled classes and shall not be absent more than allowed under the requirements of the educational provider or the correctional facility policy.  Committed youth shall be advised of the specific requirements of the program in which they are enrolled.

h)         Committed youth may be removed from educational programs due to:

1)         Disciplinary action;

2)         Failure to adhere to attendance requirements;

3)         Administrative reasons approved by the Principal or the Chief Administrative Officer, including, but not limited to, disruptive behavior, lack of active participation, termination or suspension of the program, and safety and security reasons; or

4)         The committed youth's transfer to another facility or program.

(Source:  Amended at 43 Ill. Reg. 14170, effective November 25, 2019)