SB3259sam001 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford

Filed: 3/26/2012

09700SB3259sam001 LRB097 19781 NHT 68000 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 3259

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 3259 as follows:

on page 1, line 5, by replacing "and 26-14" with "26-14, and 26-16"; and

on page 12, immediately below line 17, by inserting the following:

"(105 ILCS 5/26-16)

Sec. 26-16. Graduation incentives program.

(a) The General Assembly finds that:

(1) it is critical to provide options for children to succeed in school;

(2) family involvement is essential to keeping children in school, with parents and families serving as valuable resources;

(3) educational success promotes workforce opportunity and development and builds a strong economic future for Illinois as the economy demands a highly skilled workforce that requires a high school diploma at a minimum;

(4) dropping out of school has a profound negative impact on an individual's future potential, resulting in limited job choices, lower wages, and less earned over a person's lifetime than high school graduates;

(5) the State currently has programs, including the Illinois Pathways Initiative, the Illinois Shared Learning Environment and Infrastructure, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Learning Exchanges, college and career readiness programs, college and university bridge programs, dual credit and dual enrollment programs, advanced placement courses, alternative schools, and regional safe schools, that are capable of engaging students in learning, providing students with a sense of relevancy in academics, and motivating students to succeed in school in order to earn a high school diploma; and

(6) it is also necessary for the State to continue to explore diverse instructional delivery strategies, with the above-mentioned programs, to accommodate various learning styles and focus on statewide dropout intervention and prevention.

(a-5) The purpose of this Section is to provide incentives for and encourage all Illinois students who have experienced or are experiencing difficulty in the traditional education system to enroll in alternative programs. it is critical to provide options for children to succeed in school. The purpose of this Section is to provide incentives for and encourage all Illinois students who have experienced or are experiencing difficulty in the traditional education system to enroll in alternative programs.

(b) Any student who is below the age of 20 years is eligible to enroll in a graduation incentives program if he or she:

(1) is considered a dropout pursuant to Section 26-2a of this Code;

(2) has been suspended or expelled pursuant to Section 10-22.6 or 34-19 of this Code;

(3) is pregnant or is a parent;

(4) has been assessed as chemically dependent; or

(5) is enrolled in a bilingual education or LEP program.

(c) The following programs qualify as graduation incentives programs for students meeting the criteria established in this Section:

(1) Any public elementary or secondary education graduation incentives program established by a school district or by a regional office of education.

(2) Any alternative learning opportunities program established pursuant to Article 13B of this Code.

(3) Vocational or job training courses approved by the State Superintendent of Education that are available through the Illinois public community college system. Students may apply for reimbursement of 50% of tuition costs for one course per semester or a maximum of 3 courses per school year. Subject to available funds, students may apply for reimbursement of up to 100% of tuition costs upon a showing of employment within 6 months after completion of a vocational or job training program. The qualifications for reimbursement shall be established by the State Superintendent of Education by rule.

(4) Job and career programs approved by the State Superintendent of Education that are available through Illinois-accredited private business and vocational schools. Subject to available funds, pupils may apply for reimbursement of up to 100% of tuition costs upon a showing of employment within 6 months after completion of a job or career program. The State Superintendent of Education shall establish, by rule, the qualifications for reimbursement, criteria for determining reimbursement amounts, and limits on reimbursement.

(5) Adult education courses that offer preparation for the General Educational Development Test.

(d) Graduation incentives programs established by school districts are entitled to claim general State aid, subject to Sections 13B-50, 13B-50.5, and 13B-50.10 of this Code. Graduation incentives programs operated by regional offices of education are entitled to receive general State aid at the foundation level of support per pupil enrolled. A school district must ensure that its graduation incentives program receives supplemental general State aid, transportation reimbursements, and special education resources, if appropriate, for students enrolled in the program.

(Source: P.A. 93-858, eff. 1-1-05; 93-1079, eff. 1-21-05.)".