Public Act 93-0050

SB201 Enrolled                       LRB093 07446 NHT 07611 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 adding Article
1G as follows:

    (105 ILCS 5/Art. 1G heading new)
             ARTICLE 1G. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE
                     BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

    (105 ILCS 5/1G-1 new)
    Sec. 1G-1.  Purpose.  The purpose of this Article  is  to
permit   greater   flexibility    and   efficiency   in   the
distribution  and  use  of  certain  State funds available to
local education agencies in order  to  ensure  that  students
meet or exceed the Illinois Learning Standards in mathematics
and science.  The State Board of Education shall administer a
Mathematics and Science Block Grant Program and award Program
funds  to  eligible  recipients upon application.  As used in
this Section, "school district" shall include  those  schools
designated as "laboratory schools".

    (105 ILCS 5/1G-5 new)
    Sec.  1G-5.  Authorized  Uses.   Mathematics  and Science
Block Grant Program funds shall  be  used  in  the  following
manner  consistent  with application requirements established
by the State Board of Education as provided in Section  1G-15
of this Article:
         (1)  To  expand  learning  opportunities  in  grades
    kindergarten  through  8,  to  ensure  that every student
    meets the Illinois Learning Standards for mathematics, as
    defined  by  the   learning   benchmarks   and   relevant
    performance standards for middle and junior high schools,
    by  the  end of eighth grade, including standards related
    to number sense, estimation and measurement, algebra  and
    analytical   methods,   geometry,   data   analysis,  and
    probability;
         (2)  To  expand  learning  opportunities  in  grades
    kindergarten through 8,  to  ensure  that  every  student
    meets  the  Illinois  Learning  Standards for science, as
    defined  by  the   learning   benchmarks   and   relevant
    performance standards for middle and junior high schools,
    by  the  end of eighth grade, including standards related
    to  inquiry  and  design;  concepts  and  principles   of
    science; and science, technology, and society;
         (3)  To   train   and  retrain  teachers  of  grades
    kindergarten through 12 to  be  more  proficient  in  the
    teaching   of   mathematics   and  science  by  providing
    professional development opportunities;
         (4)  To   improve   curriculum,   instruction,   and
    assessment relevant to the  Illinois  Learning  Standards
    for grades kindergarten through 12; and
         (5)  To   supply   classrooms   with  materials  and
    equipment  related  to  the  teaching  and  learning   of
    mathematics and science.

    (105 ILCS 5/1G-10 new)
    Sec.  1G-10.  Allocation.   Mathematics and Science Block
Grant Program funds shall be distributed to school districts,
subject to appropriation and based upon rules established  by
the  State  Board  of  Education.   Distribution of moneys to
school districts shall be  made  in  semi-annual  installment
payments, one payment to be made on or before October 30, and
one payment to be made prior to April 30 of each year.

    (105 ILCS 5/1G-15 new)
    Sec.  1G-15.  Application.  Mathematics and Science Block
Grant Program funds shall be made available to each  eligible
school  district  upon  completion  of an application process
that is consistent with rules established by the State  Board
of  Education.  The application shall include the planned use
of the funds.

    (105 ILCS 5/1G-20 new)
    Sec. 1G-20.  Rules.  The State Board of  Education  shall
adopt  rules  as may be necessary to implement the provisions
of this Article.

    Section 99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect  July
1, 2003.