Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB3879

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Full Text of SB3879 102nd General Assembly

Introduced
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SB3879 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2021 and 2022
SB3879

Introduced 1/21/2022, by Sen. Karina Villa

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27-22   from Ch. 122, par. 27-22
    Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code with respect to high school course requirements. Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, provides that foreign language courses may include courses in machine control language. Effective immediately.

LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT
MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

SB3879 LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

1     AN ACT concerning education.

2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:

4     Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section
5 27-22 as follows:

6     (105 ILCS 5/27-22)  (from Ch. 122, par. 27-22)
7     (Text of Section from P.A. 101-654, Article 50, Section
8 50-5)
9     Sec. 27-22. Required high school courses.
10     (a) (Blank).
11     (b) (Blank).
12     (c) (Blank).
13     (d) (Blank).
14     (e) Through the 2023-2024 school year, as a prerequisite
15 to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the
16 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements,
17 successfully complete all of the following courses:
18         (1) Four years of language arts.
19         (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
20     which must be English and the other of which may be English
21     or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive
22     courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other
23     graduation requirements.

SB3879 - 2 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

1         (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
2     Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and
3     one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science
4     course. A mathematics course that includes geometry
5     content may be offered as an integrated, applied,
6     interdisciplinary, or career and technical education
7     course that prepares a student for a career readiness
8     path.
9         (4) Two years of science.
10         (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one
11     year must be history of the United States or a combination
12     of history of the United States and American government
13     and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the
14     2016-2017 school year and each school year thereafter, at
15     least one semester must be civics, which shall help young
16     people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and
17     attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and
18     responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course
19     content shall focus on government institutions, the
20     discussion of current and controversial issues, service
21     learning, and simulations of the democratic process.
22     School districts may utilize private funding available for
23     the purposes of offering civics education.
24         (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)
25     foreign language, which shall be deemed to include
26     American Sign Language, or (D) vocational education.

SB3879 - 3 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

1     (e-5) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, as a
2 prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil
3 entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course
4 requirements, successfully complete all of the following
5 courses:
6         (1) Four years of language arts.
7         (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
8     which must be English and the other of which may be English
9     or any other subject. If applicable, writing-intensive
10     courses may be counted toward the fulfillment of other
11     graduation requirements.
12         (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
13     Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and
14     one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science
15     course. A mathematics course that includes geometry
16     content may be offered as an integrated, applied,
17     interdisciplinary, or career and technical education
18     course that prepares a student for a career readiness
19     path.
20         (4) Two years of laboratory science.
21         (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one
22     year must be history of the United States or a combination
23     of history of the United States and American government
24     and at least one semester must be civics, which shall help
25     young people acquire and learn to use the skills,
26     knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be

SB3879 - 4 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

1     competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives.
2     Civics course content shall focus on government
3     institutions, the discussion of current and controversial
4     issues, service learning, and simulations of the
5     democratic process. School districts may utilize private
6     funding available for the purposes of offering civics
7     education.
8         (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)
9     foreign language, which shall be deemed to include
10     American Sign Language, or (D) vocational education.
11     (e-10) Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a
12 prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil
13 entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course
14 requirements, successfully complete 2 years of foreign
15 language courses, which may include American Sign Language or
16 machine control language. A pupil may choose a third year of
17 foreign language to satisfy the requirement under paragraph
18 (6) of subsection (e-5).
19     (f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform
20 school districts of standards for writing-intensive
21 coursework.
22     (f-5) If a school district offers an Advanced Placement
23 computer science course to high school students, then the
24 school board must designate that course as equivalent to a
25 high school mathematics course and must denote on the
26 student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer

SB3879 - 5 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

1 science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative
2 course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of
3 subsection (e) of this Section.
4     (g) This amendatory Act of 1983 does not apply to pupils
5 entering the 9th grade in 1983-1984 school year and prior
6 school years or to students with disabilities whose course of
7 study is determined by an individualized education program.
8     This amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly does not
9 apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school
10 year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities
11 whose course of study is determined by an individualized
12 education program.
13     Subsection (e-5) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th
14 grade in the 2023-2024 school year or a prior school year or to
15 students with disabilities whose course of study is determined
16 by an individualized education program. Subsection (e-10) does
17 not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2027-2028
18 school year or a prior school year or to students with
19 disabilities whose course of study is determined by an
20 individualized education program.
21     (h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the
22 provisions of Section 27-22.05 of this Code and the
23 Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
24     (i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify
25 the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in
26 grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due

SB3879 - 6 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

1 to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
2 Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
3 (Source: P.A. 100-443, eff. 8-25-17; 101-464, eff. 1-1-20;
4 101-643, eff. 6-18-20; 101-654, Article 50, Section 50-5, eff.
5 3-8-21.)

6     (Text of Section from P.A. 101-654, Article 60, Section
7 60-5)
8     Sec. 27-22. Required high school courses.
9     (a) (Blank).
10     (b) (Blank).
11     (c) (Blank).
12     (d) (Blank).
13     (e) As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma,
14 each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other
15 course requirements, successfully complete all of the
16 following courses:
17         (1) Four years of language arts.
18         (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
19     which must be English and the other of which may be English
20     or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive
21     courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other
22     graduation requirements.
23         (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
24     Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and
25     one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science

SB3879 - 7 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

1     course. A mathematics course that includes geometry
2     content may be offered as an integrated, applied,
3     interdisciplinary, or career and technical education
4     course that prepares a student for a career readiness
5     path.
6         (3.5) For pupils entering the 9th grade in the
7     2022-2023 school year and each school year thereafter, one
8     year of a course that includes intensive instruction in
9     computer literacy, which may be English, social studies,
10     or any other subject and which may be counted toward the
11     fulfillment of other graduation requirements.
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     School districts may utilize private funding available for
26     the purposes of offering civics education.

SB3879 - 8 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

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

SB3879 - 9 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

1 whose course of study is determined by an individualized
2 education program.
3     (h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the
4 provisions of Section 27-22.05 of this Code and the
5 Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
6     (i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify
7 the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in
8 grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due
9 to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
10 Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
11 (Source: P.A. 100-443, eff. 8-25-17; 101-464, eff. 1-1-20;
12 101-643, eff. 6-18-20; 101-654, Article 60, Section 60-5, eff.
13 3-8-21.)

14     (Text of Section from P.A. 102-366)
15     Sec. 27-22. Required high school courses.
16     (a) (Blank).
17     (b) (Blank).
18     (c) (Blank).
19     (d) (Blank).
20     (e) As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma,
21 each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other
22 course requirements, successfully complete all of the
23 following courses:
24         (1) Four years of language arts.
25         (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of

SB3879 - 10 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

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

SB3879 - 11 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

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

SB3879 - 12 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

1 education program.
2     (h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the
3 provisions of Section 27-22.05 of this Code and the
4 Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
5     (i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify
6 the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in
7 grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due
8 to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
9 Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
10 (Source: P.A. 101-464, eff. 1-1-20; 101-643, eff. 6-18-20;
11 102-366, eff. 8-13-21.)

12     (Text of Section from P.A. 102-551)
13     Sec. 27-22. Required high school courses.
14     (a) (Blank).
15     (b) (Blank).
16     (c) (Blank).
17     (d) (Blank).
18     (e) As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma,
19 each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other
20 course requirements, successfully complete all of the
21 following courses:
22         (1) Four years of language arts.
23         (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
24     which must be English and the other of which may be English
25     or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive

SB3879 - 13 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

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

SB3879 - 14 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

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

SB3879 - 15 - LRB102 23481 CMG 32657 b

1     (h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the
2 provisions of Section 27-22.05 of this Code and the
3 Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
4     (i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify
5 the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in
6 grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due
7 to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
8 Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
9 (Source: P.A. 101-464, eff. 1-1-20; 101-643, eff. 6-18-20;
10 102-551, eff. 1-1-22.)

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

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