HB5481eng 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5481 Engrossed LRB096 17129 MJR 32454 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 changing Sections 14A-30 and 14A-45 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/14A-30)

Sec. 14A-30. Funding of local gifted education programs Local programs; requirements. A In order for a local program for the education of gifted and talented children may to be approved for funding by the State Board of Education, pursuant to a request for proposals process in order to qualify for State funding, if funds for that purpose are available and, beginning with , as of the beginning of the 2010-2011 2006-2007 academic year, if the local program submits an application for funds that includes a comprehensive plan (i) showing that the applicant is capable of meeting a portion of must meet the following minimum requirements, (ii) showing the program elements currently in place and a timeline for implementation of other elements, and (iii) demonstrating to the satisfaction of the State Board of Education that the applicant is capable of implementing a program of gifted education consistent with this Article and demonstrate the fulfillment of these requirements in a written program description submitted to the State Board of Education by the local educational agency operating the program and modified if the program is substantively altered:

(1) The use of a minimum of 3 assessment measures used to identify gifted and talented children in each area in which a program for gifted and talented children is established, which may include without limitation scores on standardized achievement tests, observation checklists, portfolios, and currently-used district assessments.

(2) A priority emphasis on language arts and mathematics.

(3) An identification method that uses the definition of gifted and talented children as defined in Section 14A-20 of this Code.

(4) Assessment instruments sensitive to the inclusion of underrepresented groups, including low-income students, minority students, and English language learners.

(5) A process of identification of gifted and talented children that is of equal rigor in each area of aptitude addressed by the program.

(6) The use of identification procedures that appropriately correspond with the planned programs, curricula, and services.

(7) A fair and equitable decision-making process.

(8) The availability of a fair and impartial appeal process within the school, school district, or cooperative of school districts operating a program for parents or guardians whose children are aggrieved by a decision of the school, school district, or cooperative of school districts regarding eligibility for participation in a program.

(9) Procedures for annually informing the community at-large, including parents, about the program and the methods used for the identification of gifted and talented children.

(10) Procedures for notifying parents or guardians of a child of a decision affecting that child's participation in a program.

(11) A description of how gifted and talented children will be grouped and instructed in order to maximize the educational benefits the children derive from participation in the program, including curriculum modifications and options that accelerate and add depth and complexity to the curriculum content.

(12) An explanation of how the program emphasizes higher-level skills attainment, including problem-solving, critical thinking, creative thinking, and research skills, as embedded within relevant content areas.

(13) A methodology for measuring academic growth for gifted and talented children and a procedure for communicating a child's progress to his or her parents or guardian, including, but not limited to, a report card.

(14) The collection of data on growth in learning for children in a program for gifted and talented children and the reporting of the data to the State Board of Education.

(15) The designation of a supervisor responsible for overseeing the educational program for gifted and talented children.

(16) A showing that the certified teachers who are assigned to teach gifted and talented children understand the characteristics and educational needs of children and are able to differentiate the curriculum and apply instructional methods to meet the needs of the children.

(17) Plans for the continuation of professional development for staff assigned to the program serving gifted and talented children.

(Source: P.A. 94-151, eff. 7-8-05; 94-410, eff. 8-2-05; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/14A-45)

Sec. 14A-45. Grants for services and materials. Subject to the availability of categorical grant funding or other funding appropriated for such purposes, the State Board of Education shall make grants available to fund educational programs for gifted and talented children. A request-for-proposal process shall be used in awarding grants for services and materials, with carry over to the next fiscal year, under this Section. A proposal may be submitted to the State Board of Education by a school district, 2 or more cooperating school districts, a county, 2 or more cooperating counties, an established professional organization in gifted education, or a regional office of education. The proposals shall include a statement of the qualifications and duties of the personnel required in the field of diagnostic, counseling, and consultative services and the educational materials necessary. Upon receipt, the State Board of Education shall evaluate the proposals in accordance with criteria developed by the State Board of Education that is consistent with this Article and shall award grants to the extent funding is available. Educational programs for gifted and talented children may be offered during the regular school term and may include optional summer programs. As a condition for State funding, a grantee must comply with the requirements of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 94-151, eff. 7-8-05; 94-410, eff. 8-2-05.)

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