HB4411 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 16739 LNS 30146 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4411

Introduced 1/14/2026, by Rep. Laura Faver Dias

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/10-20.88 new
105 ILCS 5/21B-25
105 ILCS 5/27-605	was 105 ILCS 5/27-22
105 ILCS 5/34-18.88 new

Amends the School Code. Requires, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, school boards to report specified data to the State Board of Education regarding computer science courses in schools maintaining any of grades kindergarten through 8. Requires the State Board to make the data publicly available. With respect to a Professional Educator License, provides that the State Board shall create an introductory content area endorsement for teaching computer science in grades 5 through 12 that allows licensed educators to teach introductory computer science courses. In provisions concerning required high school courses, provides that a computer science course (rather than an Advanced Placement computer science course) qualifies under the mathematics requirement. Requires each pupil entering the 9th grade beginning with the 2028-2029 school year to successfully complete one year of high school computer science and artificial intelligence as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, which may be taken in any of grades 7 through 12 and shall count toward the fulfillment of certain other high school graduation requirements. Requires the State Board to create guidelines for school districts. Provides that the computer science course requirement does not apply to a pupil transferring to a high school in this State from another state after the pupil's 11th grade year. Allows a school to enter into a cooperative resource sharing agreement to ensure that its students can enroll in a computer science course. Makes other changes.

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 Sections 10-20.88 and 34-18.88 and by changing Sections 21B-25 and 27-605 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/10-20.88 new)

Sec. 10-20.88. Computer science course reporting.

(a) Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, the school board of a school district that maintains any of grades kindergarten through 8 shall report, for each school maintaining any of grades kindergarten through 5, the following data to the State Board of Education:

(1) the computer science content offered in those grades, including the minutes of instructional time dedicated to computer science, descriptions of instructional content, and, if available, which State learning standards for computer science are covered in the instruction; and

(2) the students receiving computer science instruction in those grades and the grade level, gender, race and ethnicity, eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals, disability and individualized education program or federal Section 504 plan status, and English learner status of those students.

(b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, the school board of a school district that maintains any of grades kindergarten through 8 shall report, for each school maintaining any of grades 6 through 8, the following data to the State Board of Education:

(1) the computer science courses or content offered in those grades, including the course codes, if any, descriptions, and, if available, which State learning standards for computer science are covered in each course; and

(2) the students in those grades enrolled in computer science courses and the grade level, gender, race and ethnicity, eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals, disability and individualized education program or federal Section 504 plan status, and English learner status of those students.

(c) The State Board of Education shall disaggregate the data collected under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) and paragraph (2) of subsection (b) by grade level, gender, race and ethnicity, eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals, disability and individualized education program or federal Section 504 plan status, and English learner status and make the data available publicly, along with the data collected under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and paragraph (1) of subsection (b).

(105 ILCS 5/21B-25)

Sec. 21B-25. Endorsement on licenses. All licenses issued under paragraph (1) of Section 21B-20 of this Code shall be specifically endorsed by the State Board of Education for each content area, school support area, and administrative area for which the holder of the license is qualified. Recognized institutions approved to offer educator preparation programs shall be trained to add endorsements to licenses issued to applicants who meet all of the requirements for the endorsement or endorsements, including passing any required tests. The State Superintendent of Education shall randomly audit institutions to ensure that all rules and standards are being followed for entitlement or when endorsements are being recommended.

(1) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall establish, by rule, the grade level and subject area endorsements to be added to the Professional Educator License. These rules shall outline the requirements for obtaining each endorsement.

(1.5) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall create an introductory content area endorsement for teaching computer science in grades 5 through 12 that allows licensed educators to teach introductory computer science courses, as defined by the State Board. This endorsement shall require no more than 8 credit hours of graduate-level preparation and include instruction in introductory computer science concepts and computer science pedagogy. Educators seeking the introductory content area endorsement for teaching computer science may substitute a State Board-approved, one-week professional development program in introductory high school computer science education for 4 credit hours of the graduate-level preparation. This one-week professional development program may count as 4 credit hours toward the full endorsement.

(2) In addition to any and all grade level and content area endorsements developed by rule, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall develop the requirements for the following endorsements:

(A) (Blank).

(B) Principal endorsement. A principal endorsement shall be affixed to a Professional Educator License of any holder who qualifies by having all of the following:

(i) Successful completion of a principal preparation program approved in accordance with Section 21B-60 of this Code and any applicable rules.

(ii) At least 4 total years of teaching or 4 total years of working in the capacity of school support personnel in an Illinois public school or nonpublic school recognized by the State Board of Education, in a school under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, or in an out-of-state public school or out-of-state nonpublic school meeting out-of-state recognition standards comparable to those approved by the State Superintendent of Education; however, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall allow, by rules, for fewer than 4 years of experience based on meeting standards set forth in such rules, including without limitation a review of performance evaluations or other evidence of demonstrated qualifications.

(iii) A master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.

(C) Chief school business official endorsement. A chief school business official endorsement shall be affixed to the Professional Educator License of any holder who qualifies by having a master's degree or higher, 2 years of full-time administrative experience in school business management or 2 years of university-approved practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the State Board of Education for the preparation of school business administrators and by passage of the applicable State tests. The chief school business official endorsement may also be affixed to the Professional Educator License of any holder who qualifies by having a master's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or public administration and who completes an additional 6 semester hours of internship in school business management from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and passes the applicable State tests. This endorsement shall be required for any individual employed as a chief school business official.

(D) Superintendent endorsement. A superintendent endorsement shall be affixed to the Professional Educator License of any holder who has completed a program approved by the State Board of Education for the preparation of superintendents of schools, has had at least 2 years of experience employed full-time in a general administrative position or as a full-time principal, director of special education, or chief school business official in the public schools or in a State-recognized nonpublic school in which the chief administrator is required to have the licensure necessary to be a principal in a public school in this State and where a majority of the teachers are required to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a public school in this State, and has passed the required State tests; or of any holder who has completed a program that is not an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education and that has recognition standards comparable to those approved by the State Superintendent of Education and holds the general administrative, principal, or chief school business official endorsement and who has had 2 years of experience as a principal, director of special education, or chief school business official while holding a valid educator license or certificate comparable in validity and educational and experience requirements and has passed the appropriate State tests, as provided in Section 21B-30 of this Code. The superintendent endorsement shall allow individuals to serve only as a superintendent or assistant superintendent.

(E) Teacher leader endorsement. It shall be the policy of this State to improve the quality of instructional leaders by providing a career pathway for teachers interested in serving in leadership roles, but not as principals. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may issue a teacher leader endorsement under this subdivision (E). Persons who meet and successfully complete the requirements of the endorsement shall be issued a teacher leader endorsement on the Professional Educator License for serving in schools in this State. Teacher leaders may qualify to serve in such positions as department chairs, coaches, mentors, curriculum and instruction leaders, or other leadership positions as defined by the district. The endorsement shall be available to those teachers who (i) hold a Professional Educator License, (ii) hold a master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution, (iii) have completed a program of study that has been approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and (iv) have successfully demonstrated competencies as defined by rule.

A teacher who meets the requirements set forth in this Section and holds a teacher leader endorsement may evaluate teachers pursuant to Section 24A-5 of this Code, provided that the individual has completed the evaluation component required by Section 24A-3 of this Code and a teacher leader is allowed to evaluate personnel under the respective school district's collective bargaining agreement.

The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish and implement the teacher leader endorsement program and to specify the positions for which this endorsement shall be required.

(F) Special education endorsement. A special education endorsement in one or more areas shall be affixed to a Professional Educator License for any individual that meets those requirements established by the State Board of Education in rules. Special education endorsement areas shall include without limitation the following:

(i) Learning Behavior Specialist I;

(ii) Learning Behavior Specialist II;

(iii) Speech Language Pathologist;

(iv) Blind or Visually Impaired;

(v) Deaf-Hard of Hearing;

(vi) Early Childhood Special Education; and

(vii) Director of Special Education.

Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the contrary, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may add additional areas of special education by rule.

(G) School support personnel endorsement. School support personnel endorsement areas shall include, but are not limited to, school counselor, marriage and family therapist, school psychologist, school speech and language pathologist, school nurse, and school social worker. This endorsement is for individuals who are not teachers or administrators, but still require licensure to work in an instructional support position in a public or State-operated elementary school, secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement with a governing body or board of control or a charter school operating in compliance with the Charter Schools Law. The school support personnel endorsement shall be affixed to the Professional Educator License and shall meet all of the requirements established in any rules adopted to implement this subdivision (G). The holder of such an endorsement is entitled to all of the rights and privileges granted holders of any other Professional Educator License, including teacher benefits, compensation, and working conditions.

(Source: P.A. 100-13, eff. 7-1-17; 100-267, eff. 8-22-17; 100-288, eff. 8-24-17; 100-596, eff. 7-1-18; 100-780, eff. 1-1-19; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-220, eff. 8-7-19.)

(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 a 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 entering the 9th grade must successfully complete one year of high school computer science and artificial intelligence, which may be taken in any of grades 7 through 12 and shall count toward the fulfillment of either (i) one year of the foreign language requirement under subsection (e-10), (ii) the third year of mathematics requirement under subdivision (3) of subsection (e-5), or (iii) the requirement under subdivision (6) of subsection (e-5). A computer science course counted toward the fulfillment of a requirement under item (i), (ii), or (iii) of this subsection (e-15) may also be used to fulfill the computer literacy requirement under subdivision (3.5) of subsection (e-5).

(1) The State Board of Education shall create guidelines for school districts regarding which courses fulfill a requirement under item (i) or (ii) of this subsection (e-15). Eligible courses must include instruction in evolving computer science technologies, such as artificial intelligence, including what artificial intelligence is, how artificial intelligence works, and ethical considerations related to the use of artificial intelligence.

(2) Any computer science course taken by students in grade 7 or 8 that is used for credit toward the requirement must be taught by an educator with an introductory content area endorsement for teaching computer science under Section 21B-25.

(3) If a student uses a computer science course to fulfill the foreign language requirement under item (i) of this subsection (e-15), then the school board must designate that computer science course as equivalent to a high school foreign language course and must denote on the student's transcript that the computer science course qualifies as a foreign language course for students under item (i) of this subsection (e-15) for the purpose of admission to an institution of higher education in this State.

(4) If a student uses a computer science course to fulfill the mathematics requirement under item (ii) of this subsection (e-15), then the school board must designate that computer science course as equivalent to a high school mathematics course and must denote on the student's transcript that the computer science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of subsection (e-5).

(5) By June 30, 2027, the State Board of Education shall update its existing list of course titles recommended for computer science under Section 2-3.185 with a list of courses that can be used to satisfy the requirements of this subsection (e-15); however, each school district shall ensure that such courses align with the State learning standards for computer science and the State Board shall include on the list only courses that meet the definition of computer science under Section 10-17a. The State Board shall update its list of qualifying courses as needed to reflect changing State and regional economic and educational needs.

(6) The requirements of this subsection (e-15) do not apply to a pupil transferring to a high school in this State from another state after the pupil's 11th grade year.

(7) A school may enter into a cooperative resource sharing agreement to ensure that its students can enroll in a computer science course under this subsection (e-15).

(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 a 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 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.

(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.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-18.88 new)

Sec. 34-18.88. Computer science course reporting.

(a) Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, the board shall report, for each school maintaining any of grades kindergarten through 5, the following data to the State Board of Education:

(1) the computer science content offered in those grades, including the minutes of instructional time dedicated to computer science, descriptions of instructional content, and, if available, which State learning standards for computer science are covered in the instruction; and

(2) the students receiving computer science instruction in those grades and the grade level, gender, race and ethnicity, eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals, disability and individualized education program or federal Section 504 plan status, and English learner status of those students.

(b) Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, the board shall report, for each school maintaining any of grades 6 through 8, the following data to the State Board of Education:

(1) the computer science courses or content offered in those grades, including the course codes, if any, descriptions, and, if available, which State learning standards for computer science are covered in each course; and

(2) the students enrolled in computer science courses in those grades and the grade level, gender, race and ethnicity, eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals, disability and individualized education program or federal Section 504 plan status, and English learner status of those students.

(c) The State Board of Education shall disaggregate the data collected under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) and paragraph (2) of subsection (b) by grade level, gender, race and ethnicity, eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals, disability and individualized education program or federal Section 504 plan status, and English learner status and make the data available publicly, along with the data collected under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and paragraph (1) of subsection (b).