HB5811 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 40185 RJT 72013 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5811

Introduced 4/10/2024, by Rep. Amy Elik

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/22-100 new

Amends the School Code. Creates the Task Force on Foreign Language Education Requirements to review public policy options relating to foreign language education requirements for secondary education in this State. Sets forth the membership of the task force. Provides for expense reimbursement, meetings, and administrative support. Provides that the task force shall review policy offerings for the education of students in a foreign language and alternatives that may benefit students as students age into the workforce and offer policymaking recommendations related to alternatives to current foreign language education requirements. Sets forth other duties of the task force. Provides that the task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor by July 1, 2025. Provides that the task force is dissolved and the provisions are repealed on August 1, 2025.

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 22-100 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/22-100 new)

Sec. 22-100. Task Force on Foreign Language Education Requirements.

(a) The Task Force on Foreign Language Education Requirements is created for the purpose of reviewing public policy options relating to foreign language education requirements for secondary education in this State.

(b) The task force shall be comprised of the following members:

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

(2) One member of the General Assembly, appointed by the President of the Senate.

(3) One member of the General Assembly, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

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

(5) One representative from a rural school district recommended by a statewide advisory council representing rural school districts, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(6) The State Superintendent of Education or the State Superintendent's designee.

(7) One representative of a statewide organization representing regional superintendents of schools, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(8) One school district superintendent who represents a large region of this State and one school district superintendent who represents a small region of this State, each recommended by an association representing school district superintendents and each appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

Task force members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated to the State Board of Education for that purpose, subject to the rules of the appropriate travel control board.

(c) The task force shall meet initially at the call of the State Superintendent of Education not later than 90 days from the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly, shall select one member as chairperson at its initial meeting, and shall thereafter meet quarterly.

(d) The State Board of Education shall provide administrative support to the task force.

(e) The task force shall review policy offerings for the education of students in a foreign language and alternatives that may benefit students as students age into the workforce and offer policymaking recommendations related to alternatives to current foreign language education requirements. The task force shall work cooperatively with educators, school boards, and school districts across this State, advocacy groups, and appropriate State agencies to develop policy options related to foreign language education and alternatives that may serve students better throughout their lives.

In addition, the task force shall do all of the following:

(1) Review existing statutes relating to foreign language education requirements.

(2) Review legislation relating to foreign language education requirements and how, if at all, classes may be taken instead of foreign language courses.

(3) Gather and analyze information on the current capacity of foreign language educators in the school system.

(4) Gather and analyze information about foreign language endorsements on educator licenses.

(f) The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor by July 1, 2025.

(g) The task force is dissolved and this Section is repealed on August 1, 2025.