105 ILCS 5/ School Code.

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    (105 ILCS 5/prec. Sec. 27-605 heading)
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
(Source: P.A. 104-391, eff. 8-15-25.)

    (105 ILCS 5/27-605) (was 105 ILCS 5/27-22)
    (Text of Section from P.A. 104-387)
    Sec. 27-605. Required high school courses.
    (a) (Blank).
    (b) (Blank).
    (c) (Blank).
    (d) (Blank).
    (e) Through the 2023-2024 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:
        (1) Four years of language arts.
        (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
    
which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.
        (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
    
Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course. A mathematics course that includes geometry content may be offered as an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education course that prepares a student for a career readiness path.
        (3.5) For pupils entering the 9th grade in the
    
2022-2023 school year and 2023-2024 school year, one year of a course that includes intensive instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and which may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.
        (4) Two years of science.
        (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least
    
one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2016-2017 school year and each school year thereafter, at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. Beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year, one semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course.
        (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)
    
foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, (D) vocational education, or (E) forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech course used to satisfy the course requirement under subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course requirement under this subdivision (6).
    (e-5) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:
        (1) Four years of language arts.
        (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
    
which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. If applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.
        (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
    
Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course. A mathematics course that includes geometry content may be offered as an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education course that prepares a student for a career readiness path.
        (3.5) One year of a course that includes intensive
    
instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and which may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.
        (4) Two years of laboratory science.
        (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least
    
one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. One semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course.
        (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)
    
foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, (D) career and technical education, or (E) forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech course used to satisfy the course requirement under subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course requirement under this subdivision (6).
    (e-10) Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete 2 years of foreign language courses, which may include American Sign Language. A pupil may choose a third year of foreign language to satisfy the requirement under subdivision (6) of subsection (e-5).
    (f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform school districts of standards for writing-intensive coursework.
    (f-5) If a school district offers an Advanced Placement computer science course to high school students, then the school board must designate that course as equivalent to a high school mathematics course and must denote on the student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of this Section.
    (g) Public Act 83-1082 does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in 1983-1984 school year and prior school years or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.
    Public Act 94-676 does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.
    Subdivision (3.5) of subsection (e) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.
    Subsection (e-5) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2023-2024 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program. Subsection (e-10) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2027-2028 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.
    (h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the provisions of Sections 14A-32 and 27-22.05 of this Code and the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
    (i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
(Source: P.A. 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-743, eff. 8-2-24; 104-387, eff. 8-15-25.)
 
    (Text of Section from P.A. 104-391)
    Sec. 27-605. Required high school courses.
    (a) (Blank).
    (b) (Blank).
    (c) (Blank).
    (d) (Blank).
    (e) Through the 2023-2024 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:
        (1) Four years of language arts.
        (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
    
which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.
        (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
    
Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course. A mathematics course that includes geometry content may be offered as an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education course that prepares a student for a career readiness path.
        (3.5) For pupils entering the 9th grade in the
    
2022-2023 school year and 2023-2024 school year, one year of a course that includes intensive instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and which may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.
        (4) Two years of science.
        (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least
    
one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2016-2017 school year and each school year thereafter, at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. Beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year, one semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course.
        (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)
    
foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, (D) vocational education, or (E) forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech course used to satisfy the course requirement under subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course requirement under this subdivision (6).
    (e-5) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:
        (1) Four years of language arts.
        (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
    
which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. If applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.
        (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
    
Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course. A mathematics course that includes geometry content may be offered as an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education course that prepares a student for a career readiness path.
        (3.5) One year of a course that includes intensive
    
instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and which may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.
        (4) Two years of laboratory science.
        (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least
    
one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. One semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course.
        (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)
    
foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, (D) vocational education, or (E) forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech course used to satisfy the course requirement under subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course requirement under this subdivision (6).
    (e-10) Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete 2 years of foreign language courses, which may include American Sign Language. A pupil may choose a third year of foreign language to satisfy the requirement under subdivision (6) of subsection (e-5).
    (f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform school districts of standards for writing-intensive coursework.
    (f-5) If a school district offers an Advanced Placement computer science course to high school students, then the school board must designate that course as equivalent to a high school mathematics course and must denote on the student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of this Section.
    (g) Public Act 83-1082 does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in 1983-1984 school year and prior school years or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.
    Public Act 94-676 does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.
    Subdivision (3.5) of subsection (e) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.
    Subsection (e-5) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2023-2024 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program. Subsection (e-10) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2027-2028 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.
    (h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the provisions of Sections 14A-32 and 27-610 of this Code and the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
    (i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
(Source: P.A. 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-743, eff. 8-2-24; 104-391, eff. 8-15-25.)

    (105 ILCS 5/27-610) (was 105 ILCS 5/27-22.05)
    Sec. 27-610. Required course substitute. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article or this Code, a school board that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 is authorized to adopt a policy under which a student who is enrolled in any of those grades may satisfy one or more high school course or graduation requirements, including, but not limited to, any requirements under Sections 27-605 and 27-710 of this Code, by successfully completing a registered apprenticeship program under rules adopted by the State Board of Education under Section 2-3.175 of this Code, or by substituting for and successfully completing in place of the high school course or graduation requirement a related vocational or technical education course. A vocational or technical education course shall not qualify as a related vocational or technical education course within the meaning of this Section unless it contains at least 50% of the content of the required course or graduation requirement for which it is substituted, as determined by the State Board of Education in accordance with standards that it shall adopt and uniformly apply for purposes of this Section. No vocational or technical education course may be substituted for a required course or graduation requirement under any policy adopted by a school board as authorized in this Section unless the pupil's parent or guardian first requests the substitution and approves it in writing on forms that the school district makes available for purposes of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 104-391, eff. 8-15-25.)

    (105 ILCS 5/27-615) (was 105 ILCS 5/27-22.10)
    (Text of Section from P.A. 104-267)
    Sec. 27-615. Course credit for high school diploma.
    (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, the school board of a school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 is authorized to adopt a policy under which a student enrolled in grade 7 or 8 who is enrolled in the unit school district or would be enrolled in the high school district upon completion of elementary school, whichever is applicable, may enroll in a course required under Section 27-22 of this Code, provided that the course is offered by the high school that the student would attend and (i) the student participates in the course at the location of the high school and the elementary student's enrollment in the course would not prevent a high school student from being able to enroll, or (ii) the student participates in the course where the student attends school as long as the student passes the course and the end-of-course examination given at the high school granting the credit for the same course, demonstrating proficiency at the high school level, or (iii) the course is taught by a teacher who holds a professional educator license issued under Article 21B of this Code and endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course.
    (b) A school board that adopts a policy pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section must grant academic credit to an elementary school student who successfully completes the high school course, and that credit shall satisfy the requirements of Section 27-22 of this Code for that course.
    (c) A school board must award high school course credit to a student transferring to its school district for any course that the student successfully completed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section, unless evidence about the course's rigor and content shows that it does not address the relevant Illinois Learning Standard at the level appropriate for the high school grade during which the course is usually taken, and that credit shall satisfy the requirements of Section 27-22 of this Code for that course.
    (d) A student's grade in any course successfully completed under this Section must be included in his or her grade point average in accordance with the school board's policy for making that calculation.
(Source: P.A. 104-267, eff. 1-1-26.)
 
    (Text of Section from P.A. 104-391)
    Sec. 27-615. Course credit for high school diploma.
    (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, the school board of a school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 is authorized to adopt a policy under which a student enrolled in grade 7 or 8 who is enrolled in the unit school district or would be enrolled in the high school district upon completion of elementary school, whichever is applicable, may enroll in a course required under Section 27-605 of this Code, provided that the course is offered by the high school that the student would attend, and (i) the student participates in the course at the location of the high school, and the elementary student's enrollment in the course would not prevent a high school student from being able to enroll, or (ii) the student participates in the course where the student attends school as long as the course is taught by a teacher who holds a professional educator license issued under Article 21B of this Code and endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course.
    (b) A school board that adopts a policy pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section must grant academic credit to an elementary school student who successfully completes the high school course, and that credit shall satisfy the requirements of Section 27-605 of this Code for that course.
    (c) A school board must award high school course credit to a student transferring to its school district for any course that the student successfully completed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section, unless evidence about the course's rigor and content shows that it does not address the relevant Illinois Learning Standard at the level appropriate for the high school grade during which the course is usually taken, and that credit shall satisfy the requirements of Section 27-605 of this Code for that course.
    (d) A student's grade in any course successfully completed under this Section must be included in his or her grade point average in accordance with the school board's policy for making that calculation.
(Source: P.A. 104-391, eff. 8-15-25.)