HB4064 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 17953 CMG 24667 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB4064

Introduced 4/13/2021, by Rep. Thomas Morrison

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 the social studies prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, provides that the civics requirement applies only to pupils entering the 9th grade through the 2020-2021 school year. Provides that for pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year and each school year thereafter, the social studies prerequisite shall include instruction on citizenship. Provides that as part of this instruction, a pupil shall be required to complete the civics test component of the Naturalization Interview and Test administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Allows school districts to utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering citizenship education. Effective July 1, 2021.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

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

(105 ILCS 5/27-22) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-22)

Sec. 27-22. Required high school courses.

(a) (Blank).

(b) (Blank).

(c) (Blank).

(d) (Blank).

(e) 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.

(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 through the 2020-2021 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. For pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year and each school year thereafter, social studies under this paragraph (5) shall include instruction on citizenship. As part of this instruction, a pupil shall be required to complete the civics test component of the Naturalization Interview and Test administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics and citizenship education.

(6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C) foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, or (D) vocational education.

(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) This amendatory Act of 1983 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.

This amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly 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.

(h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the provisions of Section 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. 100-443, eff. 8-25-17; 101-464, eff. 1-1-20; 101-643, eff. 6-18-20.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2021.