HB1142 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 08079 NHT 28241 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB1142

Introduced , by Rep. Charles E. Jefferson

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/2-3.66

from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.66

Amends the School Code. Provides that in the awarding of grants for truants' alternative and optional education programs, the chronic truant and dropout rates of the areas served by the projects as compared to State averages must be taken into consideration first, and the population of the areas served, striving to serve as many students as possible with the funds available, must be taken into consideration second. Effective July 1, 2007.

FISCAL NOTE ACT 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 changing Section 2-3.66 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.66) (from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.66)

Sec. 2-3.66. Truants' alternative and optional education programs. To establish pilot projects to offer modified instructional programs or other services designed to prevent students from dropping out of school, including programs pursuant to Section 2-3.41, and to serve as a part time or full time option in lieu of regular school attendance and to award grants to local school districts, educational service regions or community college districts from appropriated funds to assist districts in establishing such projects. In the awarding of grants, the chronic truant and dropout rates of the areas served by the projects as compared to State averages must be taken into consideration first, and the population of the areas served, striving to serve as many students as possible with the funds available, must be taken into consideration second. The education agency may operate its own program or enter into a contract with another not-for-profit entity to implement the program. The pilot projects shall allow dropouts, up to and including age 21, potential dropouts, including truants, uninvolved, unmotivated and disaffected students, as defined by State Board of Education rules and regulations, to enroll, as an alternative to regular school attendance, in an optional education program which may be established by school board policy and is in conformance with rules adopted by the State Board of Education. Truants' Alternative and Optional Education programs funded pursuant to this Section shall be planned by a student, the student's parents or legal guardians, unless the student is 18 years or older, and school officials and shall culminate in an individualized optional education plan. Such plan shall focus on academic or vocational skills, or both, and may include, but not be limited to, evening school, summer school, community college courses, adult education, preparation courses for the high school level test of General Educational Development, vocational training, work experience, programs to enhance self concept and parenting courses. School districts which are awarded grants pursuant to this Section shall be authorized to provide day care services to children of students who are eligible and desire to enroll in programs established and funded under this Section, but only if and to the extent that such day care is necessary to enable those eligible students to attend and participate in the programs and courses which are conducted pursuant to this Section. The Board shall report on the status of the pilot projects pursuant to Section 1A-4. School districts and regional offices of education may claim general State aid under Section 18-8.05 for students enrolled in truants' alternative and optional education programs, provided that such students are receiving services that are supplemental to a program leading to a high school diploma and are otherwise eligible to be claimed for general State aid under Section 18-8.05.

(Source: P.A. 90-802, eff. 12-15-98.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2007.