HB1631 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 25290 RJT 51635 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB1631

Introduced 2/1/2023, by Rep. Daniel Didech

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27-23.15

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education, subject to appropriation, shall establish a program that awards grants to eligible school districts to support computer science education professional development. Provides for how grant funds may be used. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate a request for applications to receive a grant under this program and funds shall be distributed annually. Sets forth criteria for applying for and awarding grants. Provides for rulemaking. Effective immediately.

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 changing Section 27-23.15 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-23.15)

Sec. 27-23.15. Computer science.

(a) In this Section: ,

"Computer computer science" means the study of computers, and algorithms, and the development of new technologies, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their implementation, and their impact on society. "Computer science" does not include the study of everyday uses of computers and computer applications, such as keyboarding or accessing the Internet.

"Computer science education professional development" means computer science training programs for licensed staff in schools, including, but not limited to, programs that assist in implementing new curriculum programs, provide data focused or academic assessment data training to help staff identify a student's weaknesses and strengths, target interventions, improve instruction, encompass instructional strategies for English learner, gifted, or at-risk students, address inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, or implicit bias, or otherwise provide professional support for licensed staff.

(b) Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, the school board of a school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 shall provide an opportunity for every high school student to take at least one computer science course aligned to rigorous learning standards of the State Board of Education.

(c) The State Board of Education, subject to appropriation, shall establish a program that awards grants to eligible school districts to support computer science education professional development. Grant funds may be used to provide computer science education professional development by any entity approved to provide professional development activities pursuant to subsection (g) of Section 21B-45 of this Code.

Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall annually disseminate a request for applications to receive a grant under this program, and funds shall be distributed annually. The criteria to be considered by the State Board of Education in awarding grants shall be whether a school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 has a demonstrated shortage of teachers to provide every high school student an opportunity to take at least one course aligned to the State Board of Education's learning standards for computer science.

In distributing grant funds under this subsection (c), the following applications shall have priority:

(1) applications from school districts designated as Tier 1 or Tier 2 under Section 18-8.15;

(2) applications from school districts that are working in partnership with providers of high-quality professional learning for K-12 computer science;

(3) applications from school districts that describe strategies to enroll female students, students from marginalized racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in computer science, students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, students with disabilities, and English learners; and

(4) applications from rural or urban school districts with a low penetration of K-12 computer science offerings, including school districts that partner together to form cooperatives for implementation.

(d) Grants awarded under subsection (c) may be used for:

(1) professional learning supportive of the State Board of Education's learning standards for computer science;

(2) credentialing costs and fees associated with K-12 computer science teacher endorsements, including career and technical education and academic supplemental endorsements;

(3) supporting K-12 computer science classroom teaching and program administration, including mentoring and coaching;

(4) creating resources to support computer science education implementation;

(5) student recruitment, including promotional materials; and

(6) planning and coordination efforts for cooperative programs that are a partnership among school districts.

(e) To apply for a grant under subsection (c), a school district shall submit an application addressing, at a minimum, how the district will:

(1) reach new and existing teachers with little to no computer science background;

(2) use research or evidence-based practices for high-quality professional development;

(3) focus the professional learning on the conceptual foundations of computer science;

(4) reach and support marginalized racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in computer science;

(5) provide teachers who have concrete experience with hands-on, inquiry-based practices;

(6) accommodate the particular teacher and student needs in the district and each school; and

(7) ensure that the district begins offering the course or content within the same or next school year after the teacher receives the professional learning.

A school district's application must provide for an allocation of funds for the purpose of evaluating the school district's computer science programming, which must include, at a minimum:

(A) indicators for equity related to access and successful completion;

(B) postsecondary college and career placement; and

(C) program quality.

(f) The State Board of Education may adopt any rules necessary for implementation of the grant program established under subsection (c).

(Source: P.A. 101-654, eff. 3-8-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)

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