102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB4418

 

Introduced 1/21/2022, by Rep. Chris Miller

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/27-3.10
105 ILCS 5/27-22  from Ch. 122, par. 27-22

    Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires course content in civics education to include a comparative study and discussion of certain political ideologies, including communism and totalitarianism, that conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy that are essential to the founding of the United States. Sets forth requirements concerning the content. Effective immediately.


LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT
MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB4418LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
527-3.10 and 27-22 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/27-3.10)
7    Sec. 27-3.10. Elementary school civics course of study. In
8addition to the instruction required to be provided under
9Section 27-3 of this Code, every public elementary school
10shall include in its 6th, 7th, or 8th grade curriculum,
11beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, at least one
12semester of civics education, which shall help young people
13acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes
14that will prepare them to be competent and responsible
15citizens throughout their lives. Civics education course
16content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion
17of current and societal issues, service learning, and
18simulations of the democratic process. Civics education course
19content shall include a comparative study and discussion of
20certain political ideologies, including communism and
21totalitarianism, that conflict with the principles of freedom
22and democracy that are essential to the founding of the United
23States. The comparative study and discussion shall be

 

 

HB4418- 2 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1accurate, relevant, and accessible to promote the
2understanding of such political ideologies. Civics education
3course content shall include the use of oral history resources
4from diverse individuals, including those individuals who (i)
5demonstrate civic-minded qualities, (ii) are victims of the
6political ideologies of communism and totalitarianism, and
7(iii) are able to compare the political ideologies of
8communism and totalitarianism with the political ideology of
9the United States. Civics education in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade
10shall be in accordance with Illinois Learning Standards for
11social science. Additionally, school districts may consult
12with civics education stakeholders, deemed appropriate by the
13State Board of Education, with regard to civics education
14curriculum for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. School districts may
15utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering
16civics education.
17(Source: P.A. 101-254, eff. 7-1-20.)
 
18    (105 ILCS 5/27-22)  (from Ch. 122, par. 27-22)
19    (Text of Section from P.A. 101-654, Article 50, Section
2050-5)
21    Sec. 27-22. Required high school courses.
22    (a) (Blank).
23    (b) (Blank).
24    (c) (Blank).
25    (d) (Blank).

 

 

HB4418- 3 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1    (e) Through the 2023-2024 school year, as a prerequisite
2to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the
39th grade must, in addition to other course requirements,
4successfully complete all of the following courses:
5        (1) Four years of language arts.
6        (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
7    which must be English and the other of which may be English
8    or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive
9    courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other
10    graduation requirements.
11        (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
12    Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and
13    one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science
14    course. A mathematics course that includes geometry
15    content may be offered as an integrated, applied,
16    interdisciplinary, or career and technical education
17    course that prepares a student for a career readiness
18    path.
19        (4) Two years of science.
20        (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one
21    year must be history of the United States or a combination
22    of history of the United States and American government
23    and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the
24    2016-2017 school year and each school year thereafter, at
25    least one semester must be civics, which shall help young
26    people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and

 

 

HB4418- 4 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1    attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and
2    responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course
3    content shall focus on government institutions, the
4    discussion of current and controversial issues, service
5    learning, and simulations of the democratic process.
6    Civics course content shall include a comparative study
7    and discussion of certain political ideologies, including
8    communism and totalitarianism, that conflict with the
9    principles of freedom and democracy that are essential to
10    the founding of the United States. The comparative study
11    and discussion shall be accurate, relevant, and accessible
12    to promote the understanding of such political ideologies.
13    Civics course content shall include the use of oral
14    history resources from diverse individuals, including
15    those individuals who (i) demonstrate civic-minded
16    qualities, (ii) are victims of the political ideologies of
17    communism and totalitarianism, and (iii) are able to
18    compare the political ideologies of communism and
19    totalitarianism with the political ideology of the United
20    States. School districts may utilize private funding
21    available for the purposes of offering civics education.
22        (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)
23    foreign language, which shall be deemed to include
24    American Sign Language, or (D) vocational education.
25    (e-5) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, as a
26prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil

 

 

HB4418- 5 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course
2requirements, successfully complete all of the following
3courses:
4        (1) Four years of language arts.
5        (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
6    which must be English and the other of which may be English
7    or any other subject. If applicable, writing-intensive
8    courses may be counted toward the fulfillment of other
9    graduation requirements.
10        (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
11    Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and
12    one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science
13    course. A mathematics course that includes geometry
14    content may be offered as an integrated, applied,
15    interdisciplinary, or career and technical education
16    course that prepares a student for a career readiness
17    path.
18        (4) Two years of laboratory science.
19        (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one
20    year must be history of the United States or a combination
21    of history of the United States and American government
22    and at least one semester must be civics, which shall help
23    young people acquire and learn to use the skills,
24    knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be
25    competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives.
26    Civics course content shall focus on government

 

 

HB4418- 6 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1    institutions, the discussion of current and controversial
2    issues, service learning, and simulations of the
3    democratic process. Civics course content shall include a
4    comparative study and discussion of certain political
5    ideologies, including communism and totalitarianism, that
6    conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy that
7    are essential to the founding of the United States. The
8    comparative study and discussion shall be accurate,
9    relevant, and accessible to promote the understanding of
10    such political ideologies. Civics course content shall
11    include the use of oral history resources from diverse
12    individuals, including those individuals who (i)
13    demonstrate civic-minded qualities, (ii) are victims of
14    the political ideologies of communism and totalitarianism,
15    and (iii) are able to compare the political ideologies of
16    communism and totalitarianism with the political ideology
17    of the United States. School districts may utilize private
18    funding available for the purposes of offering civics
19    education.
20        (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)
21    foreign language, which shall be deemed to include
22    American Sign Language, or (D) vocational education.
23    (e-10) Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a
24prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil
25entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course
26requirements, successfully complete 2 years of foreign

 

 

HB4418- 7 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1language courses, which may include American Sign Language. A
2pupil may choose a third year of foreign language to satisfy
3the requirement under paragraph (6) of subsection (e-5).
4    (f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform
5school districts of standards for writing-intensive
6coursework.
7    (f-5) If a school district offers an Advanced Placement
8computer science course to high school students, then the
9school board must designate that course as equivalent to a
10high school mathematics course and must denote on the
11student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer
12science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative
13course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of
14subsection (e) of this Section.
15    (g) This amendatory Act of 1983 does not apply to pupils
16entering the 9th grade in 1983-1984 school year and prior
17school years or to students with disabilities whose course of
18study is determined by an individualized education program.
19    This amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly does not
20apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school
21year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities
22whose course of study is determined by an individualized
23education program.
24    Subsection (e-5) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th
25grade in the 2023-2024 school year or a prior school year or to
26students with disabilities whose course of study is determined

 

 

HB4418- 8 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1by an individualized education program. Subsection (e-10) does
2not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2027-2028
3school year or a prior school year or to students with
4disabilities whose course of study is determined by an
5individualized education program.
6    (h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the
7provisions of Section 27-22.05 of this Code and the
8Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
9    (i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify
10the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in
11grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due
12to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
13Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
14(Source: P.A. 100-443, eff. 8-25-17; 101-464, eff. 1-1-20;
15101-643, eff. 6-18-20; 101-654, Article 50, Section 50-5, eff.
163-8-21.)
 
17    (Text of Section from P.A. 101-654, Article 60, Section
1860-5)
19    Sec. 27-22. Required high school courses.
20    (a) (Blank).
21    (b) (Blank).
22    (c) (Blank).
23    (d) (Blank).
24    (e) As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma,
25each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other

 

 

HB4418- 9 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1course requirements, successfully complete all of the
2following courses:
3        (1) Four years of language arts.
4        (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
5    which must be English and the other of which may be English
6    or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive
7    courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other
8    graduation requirements.
9        (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
10    Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and
11    one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science
12    course. A mathematics course that includes geometry
13    content may be offered as an integrated, applied,
14    interdisciplinary, or career and technical education
15    course that prepares a student for a career readiness
16    path.
17        (3.5) For pupils entering the 9th grade in the
18    2022-2023 school year and each school year thereafter, one
19    year of a course that includes intensive instruction in
20    computer literacy, which may be English, social studies,
21    or any other subject and which may be counted toward the
22    fulfillment of other graduation requirements.
23        (4) Two years of science.
24        (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one
25    year must be history of the United States or a combination
26    of history of the United States and American government

 

 

HB4418- 10 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1    and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the
2    2016-2017 school year and each school year thereafter, at
3    least one semester must be civics, which shall help young
4    people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and
5    attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and
6    responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course
7    content shall focus on government institutions, the
8    discussion of current and controversial issues, service
9    learning, and simulations of the democratic process.
10    Civics course content shall include a comparative study
11    and discussion of certain political ideologies, including
12    communism and totalitarianism, that conflict with the
13    principles of freedom and democracy that are essential to
14    the founding of the United States. The comparative study
15    and discussion shall be accurate, relevant, and accessible
16    to promote the understanding of such political ideologies.
17    Civics course content shall include the use of oral
18    history resources from diverse individuals, including
19    those individuals who (i) demonstrate civic-minded
20    qualities, (ii) are victims of the political ideologies of
21    communism and totalitarianism, and (iii) are able to
22    compare the political ideologies of communism and
23    totalitarianism with the political ideology of the United
24    States. School districts may utilize private funding
25    available for the purposes of offering civics education.
26        (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)

 

 

HB4418- 11 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1    foreign language, which shall be deemed to include
2    American Sign Language, or (D) vocational education.
3    (f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform
4school districts of standards for writing-intensive
5coursework.
6    (f-5) If a school district offers an Advanced Placement
7computer science course to high school students, then the
8school board must designate that course as equivalent to a
9high school mathematics course and must denote on the
10student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer
11science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative
12course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of
13subsection (e) of this Section.
14    (g) This amendatory Act of 1983 does not apply to pupils
15entering the 9th grade in 1983-1984 school year and prior
16school years or to students with disabilities whose course of
17study is determined by an individualized education program.
18    This amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly does not
19apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school
20year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities
21whose course of study is determined by an individualized
22education program.
23    This amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly does not
24apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school
25year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities
26whose course of study is determined by an individualized

 

 

HB4418- 12 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1education program.
2    (h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the
3provisions of Section 27-22.05 of this Code and the
4Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
5    (i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify
6the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in
7grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due
8to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
9Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
10(Source: P.A. 100-443, eff. 8-25-17; 101-464, eff. 1-1-20;
11101-643, eff. 6-18-20; 101-654, Article 60, Section 60-5, eff.
123-8-21.)
 
13    (Text of Section from P.A. 102-366)
14    Sec. 27-22. Required high school courses.
15    (a) (Blank).
16    (b) (Blank).
17    (c) (Blank).
18    (d) (Blank).
19    (e) As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma,
20each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other
21course requirements, successfully complete all of the
22following courses:
23        (1) Four years of language arts.
24        (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
25    which must be English and the other of which may be English

 

 

HB4418- 13 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1    or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive
2    courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other
3    graduation requirements.
4        (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
5    Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and
6    one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science
7    course. A mathematics course that includes geometry
8    content may be offered as an integrated, applied,
9    interdisciplinary, or career and technical education
10    course that prepares a student for a career readiness
11    path.
12        (4) Two years of science.
13        (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one
14    year must be history of the United States or a combination
15    of history of the United States and American government
16    and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the
17    2016-2017 school year and each school year thereafter, at
18    least one semester must be civics, which shall help young
19    people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and
20    attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and
21    responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course
22    content shall focus on government institutions, the
23    discussion of current and controversial issues, service
24    learning, and simulations of the democratic process.
25    Civics course content shall include a comparative study
26    and discussion of certain political ideologies, including

 

 

HB4418- 14 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1    communism and totalitarianism, that conflict with the
2    principles of freedom and democracy that are essential to
3    the founding of the United States. The comparative study
4    and discussion shall be accurate, relevant, and accessible
5    to promote the understanding of such political ideologies.
6    Civics course content shall include the use of oral
7    history resources from diverse individuals, including
8    those individuals who (i) demonstrate civic-minded
9    qualities, (ii) are victims of the political ideologies of
10    communism and totalitarianism, and (iii) are able to
11    compare the political ideologies of communism and
12    totalitarianism with the political ideology of the United
13    States. School districts may utilize private funding
14    available for the purposes of offering civics education.
15    Beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the
16    2021-2022 school year and each school year thereafter, one
17    semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial
18    literacy course.
19        (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)
20    foreign language, which shall be deemed to include
21    American Sign Language, or (D) vocational education.
22    (f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform
23school districts of standards for writing-intensive
24coursework.
25    (f-5) If a school district offers an Advanced Placement
26computer science course to high school students, then the

 

 

HB4418- 15 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1school board must designate that course as equivalent to a
2high school mathematics course and must denote on the
3student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer
4science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative
5course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of
6subsection (e) of this Section.
7    (g) This amendatory Act of 1983 does not apply to pupils
8entering the 9th grade in 1983-1984 school year and prior
9school years or to students with disabilities whose course of
10study is determined by an individualized education program.
11    This amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly does not
12apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school
13year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities
14whose course of study is determined by an individualized
15education program.
16    (h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the
17provisions of Section 27-22.05 of this Code and the
18Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
19    (i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify
20the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in
21grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due
22to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
23Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
24(Source: P.A. 101-464, eff. 1-1-20; 101-643, eff. 6-18-20;
25102-366, eff. 8-13-21.)
 

 

 

HB4418- 16 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1    (Text of Section from P.A. 102-551)
2    Sec. 27-22. Required high school courses.
3    (a) (Blank).
4    (b) (Blank).
5    (c) (Blank).
6    (d) (Blank).
7    (e) As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma,
8each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other
9course requirements, successfully complete all of the
10following courses:
11        (1) Four years of language arts.
12        (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
13    which must be English and the other of which may be English
14    or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive
15    courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other
16    graduation requirements.
17        (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
18    Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and
19    one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science
20    course. A mathematics course that includes geometry
21    content may be offered as an integrated, applied,
22    interdisciplinary, or career and technical education
23    course that prepares a student for a career readiness
24    path.
25        (4) Two years of science.
26        (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one

 

 

HB4418- 17 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1    year must be history of the United States or a combination
2    of history of the United States and American government
3    and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the
4    2016-2017 school year and each school year thereafter, at
5    least one semester must be civics, which shall help young
6    people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and
7    attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and
8    responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course
9    content shall focus on government institutions, the
10    discussion of current and controversial issues, service
11    learning, and simulations of the democratic process.
12    Civics course content shall include a comparative study
13    and discussion of certain political ideologies, including
14    communism and totalitarianism, that conflict with the
15    principles of freedom and democracy that are essential to
16    the founding of the United States. The comparative study
17    and discussion shall be accurate, relevant, and accessible
18    to promote the understanding of such political ideologies.
19    Civics course content shall include the use of oral
20    history resources from diverse individuals, including
21    those individuals who (i) demonstrate civic-minded
22    qualities, (ii) are victims of the political ideologies of
23    communism and totalitarianism, and (iii) are able to
24    compare the political ideologies of communism and
25    totalitarianism with the political ideology of the United
26    States. School districts may utilize private funding

 

 

HB4418- 18 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1    available for the purposes of offering civics education.
2        (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)
3    foreign language, which shall be deemed to include
4    American Sign Language, (D) vocational education, or (E)
5    forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech
6    course used to satisfy the course requirement under
7    subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course
8    requirement under this subdivision (6).
9    (f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform
10school districts of standards for writing-intensive
11coursework.
12    (f-5) If a school district offers an Advanced Placement
13computer science course to high school students, then the
14school board must designate that course as equivalent to a
15high school mathematics course and must denote on the
16student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer
17science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative
18course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of
19subsection (e) of this Section.
20    (g) This amendatory Act of 1983 does not apply to pupils
21entering the 9th grade in 1983-1984 school year and prior
22school years or to students with disabilities whose course of
23study is determined by an individualized education program.
24    This amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly does not
25apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school
26year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities

 

 

HB4418- 19 -LRB102 22324 CMG 31461 b

1whose course of study is determined by an individualized
2education program.
3    (h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the
4provisions of Section 27-22.05 of this Code and the
5Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
6    (i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify
7the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in
8grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due
9to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
10Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
11(Source: P.A. 101-464, eff. 1-1-20; 101-643, eff. 6-18-20;
12102-551, eff. 1-1-22.)
 
13    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
14becoming law.