HB5722 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 19473 NHT 35187 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB5722

Introduced 2/9/2010, by Rep. Roger L. Eddy

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Re-enrollment Academics Act. Provides for grants to a school district that, in cooperation with community colleges, local employers, and community-based organizations, establishes a re-enrollment academy that meets specified criteria. Requires the State Board of Education to compile annual evaluations, in cooperation with school districts operating re-enrollment academy programs, and to prepare an annual report on re-enrollment academies. Provides that the grants are subject to appropriation or other available federal or private funding. Effective immediately.

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 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Re-enrollment Academics Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to re-enroll and successfully teach students who are at risk of or have dropped out of school through comprehensive programs that operate year-round, have at least 6 hours of instruction, and offer after-school programs with strong support services necessary to re-enroll, engage, and graduate students.

Section 10. Establishment. A school district, in cooperation with community colleges, local employers, and community-based organizations, may establish a re-enrollment academy that is eligible for a grant under this Act if the re-enrollment academy meets all of the following requirements:

(1) The re-enrollment academy must at a minimum provide for a 5-clock-hour day and be under the direct supervision of teachers.

(2) The re-enrollment academy must be at a 2-year school within a school program for grades 10 through 12 that is organized around a career theme to educate, graduate, and help students who entered the program as a student at risk of dropping out of school or a student that had dropped out of school make the transition into postsecondary education, training, or employment.

(3) The re-enrollment academy must be a standards-based educational program that prepares students both academically and technically for entrance into postsecondary education or careers.

(4) The re-enrollment academy must be a voluntary program with small classes, an experienced teaching staff, comprehensive support services, and innovative educational approaches that include student learning opportunities that incorporate action into study.

(5) The re-enrollment academy must integrate work experience and education, including during the school year and after school, and include summer school programs that link internships, work, and learning.

Section 15. Evaluation; report. The State Board of Education shall compile annual evaluations, in cooperation with school districts operating re-enrollment academy programs, and shall prepare an annual report on re-enrollment academies.

On or before the second Wednesday of every even-numbered year, the State Board of Education shall issue a report to the General Assembly and the Governor on its findings for the previous 2 school years. In the report required by this Section, the State Board of Education shall report on, without limitation, program enrollment, attendance, academic achievement, skill gains, credit gains, graduations, and entrance into jobs or college.

Section 20. Grants. Subject to appropriation or other available federal or private funding, the State Board of Education may provide grants to re-enrollment academies that meet the requirements of this Act.

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