(105 ILCS 5/2-3.117a)

Sec. 2-3.117a. School Technology Revolving Loan Program.

(a) The State Board of Education is authorized to administer a School Technology Revolving Loan Program from funds appropriated from the School Technology Revolving Loan Fund for the purpose of making the financing of school technology hardware improvements affordable and making the integration of technology in the classroom possible. School technology loans shall be made available to public school districts, charter schools, area vocational centers, laboratory schools, and State-recognized, non-public schools to purchase technology hardware for eligible grade levels on a 2-year rotating basis: grades 9 through 12 in fiscal year 2004 and each second year thereafter and grades K through 8 in fiscal year 2005 and each second year thereafter. However, priority shall be given to public school districts, charter schools, area vocational centers, and laboratory schools that apply prior to October 1 of each year.

The State Board of Education shall determine the interest rate the loans shall bear which shall not be greater than 50% of the rate for the most recent date shown in the 20 G.O. Bonds Index of average municipal bond yields as published in the most recent edition of The Bond Buyer, published in New York, New York. The repayment period for School Technology Revolving Loans shall not exceed 3 years. Participants shall use at least 90% of the loan proceeds for technology hardware investments for students and staff (including computer hardware, technology networks, related wiring, and other items as defined in rules adopted by the State Board of Education) and up to 10% of the loan proceeds for computer furniture. No participant whose equalized assessed valuation per pupil in average daily attendance is at the 99th percentile and above for all districts of the same type shall be eligible to receive a School Technology Revolving Loan under the provisions of this Section for that year.

The State Board of Education shall have the authority to adopt all rules necessary for the implementation and administration of the School Technology Revolving Loan Program, including, but not limited to, rules defining application procedures, prescribing a maximum amount per pupil that may be requested annually, requiring appropriate local commitments for technology investments, prescribing a mechanism for disbursing loan funds in the event requests exceed available funds, specifying collateral, prescribing actions necessary to protect the State's interest in the event of default, foreclosure, or noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the loans, and prescribing a mechanism for reclaiming any items or equipment purchased with the loan funds in the case of the closure of a non-public school.

(b) There is created in the State treasury the School Technology Revolving Loan Fund. The State Board shall have the authority to make expenditures from the Fund pursuant to appropriations made for the purposes of this Section, including refunds. There shall be deposited into the Fund such amounts, including but not limited to:

(1) Transfers from the School Infrastructure Fund;

(2) All receipts, including principal and interest payments, from any loan made from the Fund;

(3) All proceeds of assets of whatever nature received by the State Board as a result of default or delinquency with respect to loans made from the Fund;

(4) Any appropriations, grants, or gifts made to the Fund; and

(5) Any income received from interest on investments of money in the Fund.

(Source: P.A. 96-734, eff. 8-25-09; 96-783, eff. 8-28-09; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.118)

Sec. 2-3.118. Technology utilization. The State Superintendent of Education shall, from funds appropriated for that purpose, provide assistance to public schools for the implementation or improved utilization of technology, such as support for the development of communication networks and infrastructure, efforts to promote the use of technology in the classroom, and the initiation of technology leadership and capacity-building activities. Assistance may include the provision of staff development resources, curriculum planning and implementation resources, the establishment of demonstration sites, and the integration of technology into school improvement activities.

(Source: P.A. 89-397, eff. 8-20-95.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.119)

Sec. 2-3.119. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 89-610, eff. 8-6-96. Repealed by P.A. 89-698, eff. 1-14-97.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.119a)

Sec. 2-3.119a. School STEAM Grant Program.

(a) The State Board of Education shall administer the School STEAM Grant Program from the funds appropriated from the School STEAM Grant Program Fund for the purpose of making science, technology, engineering, art, and math programming available to low-income students in disadvantaged neighborhoods. School STEAM grants shall be made available to public schools, charter schools, area vocational centers, and laboratory schools in which the percentage of students classified as low income exceeds the State average. Grant recipients shall use grant proceeds to conduct, or contract with a third party to conduct, programming that educates, encourages, and promotes obtaining skills and career opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Priority shall be given to programs that provide hands-on experience and programs that focus on promoting young women to enter into the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

(b) The State Board of Education may adopt all rules necessary for the implementation and administration of the STEAM Grant Program, including, but not limited to, rules defining application procedures and prescribing a mechanism for disbursing grant funds if requests exceed available funds.

(c) There is created in the State treasury the School STEAM Grant Program Fund. The State Board shall have the authority to make expenditures from the Fund pursuant to appropriations made for the purposes of this Section. There shall be deposited into the Fund such amounts, including, but not limited to:

(1) transfers from the State Lottery Fund pursuant to Section 21.12 of the Illinois Lottery Law; and

(2) any appropriations, grants, or gifts made to the Fund.

(Source: P.A. 101-561, eff. 8-23-19.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.120)

Sec. 2-3.120. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05. Repealed by P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.121)

Sec. 2-3.121. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 90-463, eff. 8-17-97. Repealed by P.A. 94-91, eff. 7-1-05.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.122)

Sec. 2-3.122. Dissection alternatives. The State Board of Education shall make available to school districts sources of information concerning alternatives to the dissection of animals. Such information may include, but need not be limited to, names, addresses, and contact personnel of organizations that offer free instructional and teaching materials as alternatives to dissection.

(Source: P.A. 90-566, eff. 1-2-98.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.123)

Sec. 2-3.123. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 94-196, eff. 7-12-05. Repealed by P.A. 102-894, eff. 5-20-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.124)

Sec. 2-3.124. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 90-548, eff. 1-1-98. Repealed by P.A. 95-793, eff. 1-1-09.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.125)

Sec. 2-3.125. Arts and humanities organizations and cultural institutions. The State Board of Education is authorized to reimburse not-for-profit arts and humanities organizations and cultural institutions of Illinois, including but not limited to, museums and theater or dance companies, for the costs of providing educational programs to public elementary and secondary school students.

(Source: P.A. 90-361, eff. 1-1-98; 90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.126)

Sec. 2-3.126. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 92-16, eff. 6-28-01. Repealed internally, eff. 7-16-03.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.127)

Sec. 2-3.127. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 91-143, eff. 7-16-99. Repealed internally, eff. 7-16-03.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.127a)

Sec. 2-3.127a. The State Board of Education Special Purpose Trust Fund. The State Board of Education Special Purpose Trust Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. The State Board of Education shall deposit all indirect costs recovered from federal programs into the State Board of Education Special Purpose Trust Fund. These funds may be used by the State Board of Education for its ordinary and contingent expenses. Additionally and unless specifically directed to be deposited into other funds, all moneys received by the State Board of Education from gifts, grants, royalty payments, or donations from any source, public or private, shall be deposited into the State Board of Education Special Purpose Trust Fund. These funds shall be used, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, by the State Board of Education for the purposes established by the gifts, grants, royalty payments, or donations. Any royalty payments received by the State Board of Education as a result of licensing agreements or any other agreements entered into by the State Board of Education, regardless of the original fund source, shall be deposited into the State Board of Education Special Purpose Trust Fund and, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly, shall be expended in a manner consistent with law.

(Source: P.A. 102-792, eff. 5-13-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.128)

Sec. 2-3.128. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 92-16, eff. 6-28-01. Repealed by P.A. 102-894, eff. 5-20-22; 102-1071, eff. 6-10-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.129)

Sec. 2-3.129. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 92-16, eff. 6-28-01. Repealed by P.A. 94-600, eff. 8-16-05.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.130)

Sec. 2-3.130. Isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint rules; grant program; third-party assistance; goals and plans.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "isolated time out", "physical restraint", and "time out" have the meanings given to those terms under Section 10-20.33.

(b) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules governing the use of isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint in special education nonpublic facilities and the public schools. The rules shall include provisions governing the documentation and reporting that is required each time these interventions are used.

The rules adopted by the State Board shall include a procedure by which a person who believes a violation of Section 10-20.33 or 34-18.20 has occurred may file a complaint. The rules adopted by the State Board shall include training requirements that must be included in training programs used to train and certify school personnel.

The State Board shall establish procedures for progressive enforcement actions to ensure that schools fully comply with the documentation and reporting requirements for isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint established by rule, which shall include meaningful and appropriate sanctions for the failure to comply, including the failure to report to the parent or guardian and to the State Board, the failure to timely report, and the failure to provide detailed documentation.

(c) Subject to appropriation, the State Board shall, by adoption of emergency rules under subsection (rr) of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act if it so chooses, create a grant program for school districts, special education nonpublic facilities approved under Section 14-7.02 of this Code, and special education cooperatives to implement school-wide, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed practices, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and restorative practices within a multi-tiered system of support aimed at reducing the need for interventions, such as isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint. The State Board shall give priority in grant funding to those school districts, special education nonpublic facilities approved under Section 14-7.02 of this Code, and special education cooperatives that submit a plan to achieve a significant reduction or elimination in the use of isolated time out and physical restraint in less than 3 years.

(d) Subject to the Illinois Procurement Code, the Illinois School Student Records Act, the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act, and the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the State Board may contract with a third party to provide assistance with the oversight and monitoring of the use of isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint by school districts.

(e) For the purpose of this subsection and subsection (f), "entity" means a school district, a special education nonpublic school approved under Section 14-7.02 of this Code and located in this State, or a special education cooperative to the extent the cooperative operates separate schools or programs within schools.

The State Board shall establish goals within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, with specific benchmarks, for entities to accomplish the systemic reduction of isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint within 3 years after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly. The State Board shall engage in meaningful consultation with stakeholders to establish the goals, including in the review and evaluation of the data submitted. The State Board shall also consult stakeholders in efforts to develop strategies to measure and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the use of isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint. Each entity shall create a time out and physical restraint oversight team that includes, but is not limited to, teachers, paraprofessionals, school service personnel, and administrators to develop (i) an entity-specific plan for reducing and eventually eliminating the use of isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint in accordance with the goals and benchmarks established by the State Board and (ii) procedures to implement the plan developed by the team.

The progress toward the reduction and eventual elimination of the use of isolated time out and physical restraint shall be measured by the reduction in the overall number of incidents of those interventions and the total number of students subjected to those interventions. In limited cases, upon written application made by an entity and approved by the State Board based on criteria developed by the State Board to show good cause, the reduction in the use of those interventions may be measured by the frequency of the use of those interventions on individual students and the student population as a whole. The State Board shall specify a date for submission of the plans. Entities shall submit a report once each year for 3 years after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly to the State Board on the progress made toward achieving the goals and benchmarks established by the State Board and modify their plans as necessary to satisfy those goals and benchmarks. Entities shall notify parents and guardians that the plans and reports are available for review. On or before June 30, 2023, the State Board shall issue a report to the General Assembly on the progress made by entities to achieve those goals and benchmarks. The required plans shall include, but not be limited to, the specific actions that are to be taken to:

(1) reduce and eventually eliminate a reliance on isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint for behavioral interventions and develop noncoercive environments;

(2) develop individualized student plans that are oriented toward prevention of the use of isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint with the intent that a plan be separate and apart from a student's individualized education program or a student's plan for services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973;

(3) ensure that appropriate personnel are fully informed of the student's history, including any history of physical or sexual abuse, and other relevant medical and mental health information, except that any disclosure of student information must be consistent with federal and State laws and rules governing student confidentiality and privacy rights; and

(4) support a vision for cultural change that reinforces the following:

(A) positive behavioral interventions and support rather than isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint;

(B) effective ways to de-escalate situations to avoid isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint;

(C) crisis intervention techniques that use alternatives to isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint; and

(D) use of debriefing meetings to reassess what occurred and why it occurred and to think through ways to prevent use of the intervention the next time.

(f) An entity, as defined in subsection (e), is exempt from the requirement to submit a plan and the annual reports under subsection (e) if the entity is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the State Board that (i) within the previous 3 years, the entity has never engaged in the use of isolated time out, time out, or physical restraint and (ii) the entity has adopted a written policy that prohibits the use isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint on a student and is able to demonstrate the enforcement of that policy.

(g) The State Board shall establish a system of ongoing review, auditing, and monitoring to ensure that entities comply with the documentation and reporting requirements and meet the State Board's established goals and benchmarks for reducing and eventually eliminating the use of isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint.

(Source: P.A. 102-339, eff. 8-13-21; 103-175, eff. 6-30-23.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.131)

Sec. 2-3.131. Transitional assistance payments.

(a) If the amount that the State Board of Education will pay to a school district from fiscal year 2004 appropriations, as estimated by the State Board of Education on April 1, 2004, is less than the amount that the State Board of Education paid to the school district from fiscal year 2003 appropriations, then, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall make a fiscal year 2004 transitional assistance payment to the school district in an amount equal to the difference between the estimated amount to be paid from fiscal year 2004 appropriations and the amount paid from fiscal year 2003 appropriations.

(b) If the amount that the State Board of Education will pay to a school district from fiscal year 2005 appropriations, as estimated by the State Board of Education on April 1, 2005, is less than the amount that the State Board of Education paid to the school district from fiscal year 2004 appropriations, then the State Board of Education shall make a fiscal year 2005 transitional assistance payment to the school district in an amount equal to the difference between the estimated amount to be paid from fiscal year 2005 appropriations and the amount paid from fiscal year 2004 appropriations.

(c) If the amount that the State Board of Education will pay to a school district from fiscal year 2006 appropriations, as estimated by the State Board of Education on April 1, 2006, is less than the amount that the State Board of Education paid to the school district from fiscal year 2005 appropriations, then the State Board of Education shall make a fiscal year 2006 transitional assistance payment to the school district in an amount equal to the difference between the estimated amount to be paid from fiscal year 2006 appropriations and the amount paid from fiscal year 2005 appropriations.

(d) If the amount that the State Board of Education will pay to a school district from fiscal year 2007 appropriations, as estimated by the State Board of Education on April 1, 2007, is less than the amount that the State Board of Education paid to the school district from fiscal year 2006 appropriations, then the State Board of Education, subject to appropriation, shall make a fiscal year 2007 transitional assistance payment to the school district in an amount equal to the difference between the estimated amount to be paid from fiscal year 2007 appropriations and the amount paid from fiscal year 2006 appropriations.

(e) Subject to appropriation, beginning on July 1, 2007, the State Board of Education shall adjust prior year information for the transitional assistance calculations under this Section in the event of the creation or reorganization of any school district pursuant to Article 11E of this Code, the dissolution of an entire district and the annexation of all of its territory to one or more other districts pursuant to Article 7 of this Code, or a boundary change whereby the enrollment of the annexing district increases by 90% or more as a result of annexing territory detached from another district pursuant to Article 7 of this Code.

(f) If the amount that the State Board of Education will pay to a school district from fiscal year 2008 appropriations, as estimated by the State Board of Education on April 1, 2008, is less than the amount that the State Board of Education paid to the school district from fiscal year 2007 appropriations, then the State Board of Education, subject to appropriation, shall make a fiscal year 2008 transitional assistance payment to the school district in an amount equal to the difference between the estimated amount to be paid from fiscal year 2008 appropriations and the amount paid from fiscal year 2007 appropriations.

(g) If the amount that the State Board of Education will pay to a school district from fiscal year 2009 appropriations, as estimated by the State Board of Education on April 1, 2009, is less than the amount that the State Board of Education paid to the school district from fiscal year 2008 appropriations, then the State Board of Education, subject to appropriation, shall make a fiscal year 2009 transitional assistance payment to the school district in an amount equal to the difference between the estimated amount to be paid from fiscal year 2009 appropriations and the amount paid from fiscal year 2008 appropriations.

(Source: P.A. 94-69, eff. 7-1-05; 94-835, eff. 6-6-06; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 95-707, eff. 1-11-08; 95-744, eff. 7-18-08.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.132)

Sec. 2-3.132. Sharing information on school lunch applicants. The State Board of Education shall, whenever requested by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid), agree in writing with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (as the State agency that administers the State Medical Assistance Program as provided in Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act and the State Children's Health Insurance Program as provided in Title XXI of the federal Social Security Act) to share with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services information on applicants for free or reduced-price lunches. This sharing of information shall be for the sole purpose of helping the Department of Healthcare and Family Services identify and enroll children in the State Medical Assistance Program or the State Children's Health Insurance Program or both as allowed under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1758(b)(2)(C)(iii)(IV) and under the restrictions set forth in 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1758(b)(2)(C)(vi) and (vii). The State Board of Education may not adopt any rule that would prohibit a child from receiving any form of subsidy or benefit due to his or her parent or guardian withholding consent under Section 22-35 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.133)

Sec. 2-3.133. Homework assistance information for parents. The State Board of Education shall provide information on its Internet web site regarding strategies that parents can use to assist their children in successfully completing homework assignments. The State Board of Education shall notify all school districts about this information's availability on the State Board of Education's Internet web site.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.134)

Sec. 2-3.134. Persistently dangerous schools. The State Board of Education shall maintain data and publish a list of persistently dangerous schools on an annual basis.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.135)

Sec. 2-3.135. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 95-949, eff. 8-29-08. Repealed internally, eff. 8-31-10.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.136)

Sec. 2-3.136. Funding for class size reduction.

(a) Class size reduction funding shall assist schools that meet the criteria established by this Section for the award of funds.

(a-5) Funds shall be awarded pursuant to application. The form and manner of applications and the criteria for the award of funds shall be prescribed by the State Board of Education.

Funding awarded to eligible schools under this Section shall be used and applied by the schools to defray the costs and expenses of reducing class size to a level that is evidence-based. If a school's facilities are inadequate to allow for the specified class size, then funding may be used for, but is not limited to, support for professional learning.

(b) (Blank).

(c) (Blank).

(d) The State Board of Education shall adopt any rules, consistent with the requirements of this Section, that are necessary to implement and administer this Section.

(Source: P.A. 99-193, eff. 7-30-15; 100-1046, eff. 8-23-18.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.136a)

Sec. 2-3.136a. Class size report.

(a) In this Section:

"Class" means a setting in which organized instruction of academic course content is regularly provided to a group of students for a given scheduled period of time.

"Class instructor" means a teacher who has been assigned to teach students in a class at a public school.

"Class section" means a single class where a class instructor is assigned to teach more than one class per school day.

"Class size" means the number of students in a class who appear on the class roster and for whom the class instructor is primarily responsible and accountable.

"Pupil-teacher ratio" means the total number of students in a school divided by the total number of teachers working in that school.

"Teacher" means an individual instructing students at a public school.

(b) No later than January 31, 2021, and annually thereafter, the State Board of Education must make available on its website all of the following information:

(1) The total number of teachers actively employed within each school district, listed by individual school.

(2) The pupil-teacher ratios for each school district.

(3) The number of class instructors, by grade level and subject, in each school district.

(4) The class size for each class and class section at each school in a school district and the total number of classes or class sections in each school that exceeds the class size guidelines under paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Section 18-8.15.

(Source: P.A. 101-451, eff. 1-1-20.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.137)

Sec. 2-3.137. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 96-734, eff. 8-25-09. Repealed by P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.138)

Sec. 2-3.138. School health recognition program. The State Board of Education shall establish a school health recognition program that:

(1) publicly identifies those schools that have implemented programs to increase the level of physical activity of their students;

(2) publicly identifies those schools that have adopted policies or implemented programs to promote healthy nutritional choices for their students; and

(3) allows recognized schools to share best practices and model services with other schools throughout the State.

(Source: P.A. 94-190, eff. 7-12-05; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.139)

Sec. 2-3.139. School wellness policies; taskforce.

(a) The State Board of Education shall establish a State goal that all school districts have a wellness policy that is consistent with recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recommendations include the following:

(1) nutrition guidelines for all foods sold on school campus during the school day;

(2) setting school goals for nutrition education and physical activity;

(3) establishing community participation in creating local wellness policies; and

(4) creating a plan for measuring implementation of these wellness policies.

The Department of Public Health, the Department of Human Services, and the State Board of Education shall form an interagency working group to publish model wellness policies and recommendations. Sample policies shall be based on CDC recommendations for nutrition and physical activity. The State Board of Education shall distribute the model wellness policies to all school districts before June 1, 2006.

(b) There is created the School Wellness Policy Taskforce, consisting of the following members:

(1) One member representing the State Board of Education, appointed by the State Board of Education.

(2) One member representing the Department of Public Health, appointed by the Director of Public Health.

(3) One member representing the Department of Human Services, appointed by the Secretary of Human Services.

(4) One member of an organization representing the interests of school nurses in this State, appointed by the interagency working group.

(5) One member of an organization representing the interests of school administrators in this State, appointed by the interagency working group.

(6) One member of an organization representing the interests of school boards in this State, appointed by the interagency working group.

(7) One member of an organization representing the interests of regional superintendents of schools in this State, appointed by the interagency working group.

(8) One member of an organization representing the interests of parent-teacher associations in this State, appointed by the interagency working group.

(9) One member of an organization representing the interests of pediatricians in this State, appointed by the interagency working group.

(10) One member of an organization representing the interests of dentists in this State, appointed by the interagency working group.

(11) One member of an organization representing the interests of dieticians in this State, appointed by the interagency working group.

(12) One member of an organization that has an interest and expertise in heart disease, appointed by the interagency working group.

(13) One member of an organization that has an interest and expertise in cancer, appointed by the interagency working group.

(14) One member of an organization that has an interest and expertise in childhood obesity, appointed by the interagency working group.

(15) One member of an organization that has an interest and expertise in the importance of physical education and recreation in preventing disease, appointed by the interagency working group.

(16) One member of an organization that has an interest and expertise in school food service, appointed by the interagency working group.

(17) One member of an organization that has an interest and expertise in school health, appointed by the interagency working group.

(18) One member of an organization that campaigns for programs and policies for healthier school environments, appointed by the interagency working group.

(19) One at-large member with a doctorate in nutrition, appointed by the State Board of Education.

Members of the taskforce shall serve without compensation. The taskforce shall meet at the call of the State Board of Education. The taskforce shall report its identification of barriers to implementing school wellness policies and its recommendations to reduce those barriers to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before January 1, 2006. The taskforce shall report its recommendations on statewide school nutrition standards to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before January 1, 2007. The taskforce shall report its evaluation of the effectiveness of school wellness policies to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before January 1, 2008. The evaluation shall review a sample size of 5 to 10 school districts. Reports shall be made to the General Assembly by filing copies of each report as provided in Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act. Upon the filing of the last report, the taskforce is dissolved.

(c) The State Board of Education may adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section.

(d) Nothing in this Section may be construed as a curricular mandate on any school district.

(Source: P.A. 94-199, eff. 7-12-05; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.140)

Sec. 2-3.140. Child abduction prevention instruction. The State Board of Education, in coordination with the Illinois State Police, shall develop child abduction prevention instruction for inclusion in elementary and secondary school curricula throughout the State. The State Board of Education and the Illinois State Police shall encourage the inclusion of the child abduction prevention instruction in private elementary and secondary school curricula throughout the State.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.141)

Sec. 2-3.141. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07. Repealed internally, eff. 12-31-10.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.142)

Sec. 2-3.142. Grants to Illinois School Psychology Internship Consortium. Subject to appropriations for this purpose, the State Board of Education shall provide grants to the Illinois School Psychology Internship Consortium for aid in providing training programs and facilitating interns to improve the educational and mental health services of children in this State.

(Source: P.A. 95-102, eff. 1-1-08; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.143)

Sec. 2-3.143. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 95-707, eff. 1-11-08. Repealed by P.A. 103-175, eff. 6-30-23.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.144)

Sec. 2-3.144. Community college enrollments. The State Board of Education shall annually assemble all data reported to the State Board of Education under Section 10-21.4 or 34-8 of this Code by district superintendents, relating to the number of high school students in the educational service region who are enrolled in accredited courses at any community college, together with the name and number of the course or courses that each such student is taking, assembled both by individual school district and by educational service region totals.

(Source: P.A. 95-496, eff. 8-28-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.145)

Sec. 2-3.145. Special education expenditure and receipt report. The State Board of Education shall issue an annual report to the General Assembly and Governor identifying each school district's special education expenditures; receipts received from State, federal, and local sources; and net special education expenditures over receipts received, if applicable. Expenditures and receipts shall be calculated in a manner specified by the State Board using data obtained from the Annual Financial Report, the Funding and Child Tracking System, and district enrollment information. This report must be issued on or before May 1, 2008 and on or before each May 1 thereafter.

(Source: P.A. 95-555, eff. 8-30-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.146)

Sec. 2-3.146. Severely overcrowded schools grant program. There is created a grant program, subject to appropriation, for severely overcrowded schools. The State Board of Education shall administer the program. Grant funds may be used for purposes of relieving overcrowding. In order for a school district to be eligible for a grant under this Section, (i) the main administrative office of the district must be located in a city of 85,000 or more in population, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, and (ii) the school district must have a district-wide percentage of low-income students of 70% or more, as identified by the 2005-2006 School Report Cards published by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall distribute the funds on a proportional basis with no single district receiving more than 75% of the funds in any given year. The State Board of Education may adopt rules as needed for the implementation and distribution of grants under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-894, eff. 5-20-22; 102-1071, eff. 6-10-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.147)

Sec. 2-3.147. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 96-1551, eff. 7-1-11. Repealed by P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.148)

Sec. 2-3.148. Disability history and awareness campaign. The State Board of Education shall promote an annual campaign about disability history and awareness in this State. The campaign shall be designed to increase public awareness and respect for people with disabilities who comprise a substantial percentage of this State's population, teach future generations that people with disabilities have a rich history and have made valuable contributions throughout this State and the United States, and teach future generations that disability is a natural part of life and that people with disabilities have a right to be treated with civil, legal, and human rights and as full human beings above all else.

(Source: P.A. 96-191, eff. 1-1-10; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.149)

Sec. 2-3.149. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10. Repealed by P.A. 102-413, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.150)

Sec. 2-3.150. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10. Repealed internally, eff. 1-16-13.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.151)

Sec. 2-3.151. Green career and technical education programs.

(a) As used in this Section, "green industries" means industries that contribute directly to preserving or enhancing environmental quality by reducing waste and pollution or producing sustainable products using sustainable processes and materials and that provide opportunities for advancement along a career track of increasing skills and wages. Green industries include any of the following:

(1) Energy system retrofits to increase energy efficiency and conservation.

(2) The production and distribution of biofuels and vehicle retrofits for biofuels.

(3) Building design and construction that meet the equivalent of the best available technology in energy and environmental design standards.

(4) Organic and community food production.

(5) The manufacture of products from non-toxic, environmentally certified or recycled materials.

(6) The manufacture and production of sustainable technologies, including, but not limited to, solar panels, wind turbines, and fuel cells.

(7) Solar technology installation and maintenance.

(8) Recycling, green composting, and large-scale reuse of construction and demolition materials and debris.

(9) Water system retrofits to increase water efficiency and conservation.

(10) Horticulture.

(b) It is the purpose and intent of this Section to establish a State grant program that develops secondary programs that introduce students to developing green industries.

(c) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall establish a State grant program that develops, through a competitive process, 2-year pilot programs to assist in the creation and promotion of green career and technical education programs in public secondary schools in this State. Preference must be given to proposals that include the integration of academic and career and technical education content, arranged in sequences of courses that lead to post-secondary completion.

(d) The State Board of Education may adopt any rules necessary for the implementation of this Section.

(e) The State Board of Education may use up to 5% of the funds appropriated for the purposes of this Section for administrative costs, including the hiring of positions for the implementation and administration of the grant program, provided that if no appropriation is made to the State Board for a given fiscal year for the purposes of the grant program, then the State Board is not required to make any expenditures in support of the program during that fiscal year.

(Source: P.A. 96-659, eff. 8-25-09; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.152)

Sec. 2-3.152. Community schools.

(a) This Section applies beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.

(b) The General Assembly finds all of the following:

(1) All children are capable of success.

(2) Schools are the centers of vibrant communities.

(3) Strong families build strong educational communities.

(4) Children succeed when adults work together to foster positive educational outcomes.

(5) Schools work best when families take active roles in the education of children.

(6) Schools today are limited in their ability to dedicate time and resources to provide a wide range of educational opportunities to students because of the focus on standardized test outcomes.

(7) By providing learning opportunities outside of normal school hours, including programs on life skills and health, students are more successful academically, more engaged in their communities, safer, and better prepared to make a successful transition from school to adulthood.

(8) A community school is a public school or nonpublic school that establishes a set of strategic partnerships between the school and other community resources that promote student achievement, positive learning conditions, and the well-being of students by providing wraparound services and that actively partners with its community to leverage existing resources and identify new resources to support the transformation of the school to provide enrichment and additional life skill opportunities for students, parents, and community members at-large. Each community school is unique because its programming is designed by and for the school staff, in partnership with parents, community stakeholders, and students.

(9) Community schools currently exist in this State in urban, rural, and suburban communities.

(10) Research shows that community schools have a powerful positive impact on students, as demonstrated by increased academic success, a positive change in attitudes toward school and learning, and decreased behavioral problems.

(11) After-school and evening programs offered by community schools provide academic enrichment consistent with the Illinois Learning Standards and general school curriculum; an opportunity for physical fitness activities for students, fine arts programs, structured learning "play" time, and other recreational opportunities; a safe haven for students; and work supports for working families.

(12) Community schools are cost-effective because they leverage existing resources provided by local, State, federal, and private sources and bring programs to the schools, where the students are already congregated.

(c) Subject to an appropriation or the availability of State or federal funding for such purposes, the State Board of Education shall make grants available to fund community schools and to enhance programs at community schools. A request-for-proposal process must be used in awarding grants under this subsection (c). Proposals may be submitted on behalf of a school, a school district, or a consortium of 2 or more schools or school districts. Proposals must be evaluated and scored on the basis of criteria consistent with this Section and other factors developed and adopted by the State Board of Education. Technical assistance in grant writing must be made available to schools, school districts, or consortia of school districts through the State Board of Education directly or through a resource and referral directory established and maintained by the State Board of Education.

(d) As used in this subsection (d), "trauma-informed intervention" means a method for understanding and responding to an individual with symptoms of chronic interpersonal trauma or traumatic stress.

In order to qualify for a community school grant under this Section, a school may, at a minimum, provide the following:

(1) Before and after-school programming each school day to meet the identified needs of students.

(2) Weekend programming.

(3) Summer programming.

(4) A local advisory group comprised of school leadership, parents, and community stakeholders that establishes school-specific programming goals, assesses program needs, and oversees the process of implementing expanded programming.

(5) A program director, resource coordinator, or community school coordinator who is responsible for establishing a local advisory group, assessing the needs of students and community members, identifying programs to meet those needs, developing the before and after-school, weekend, and summer programming and overseeing the implementation of programming to ensure high quality, efficiency, and robust participation.

(6) Programming that includes academic excellence aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards, life skills, healthy minds and bodies, parental support, trauma-informed intervention, and community engagement and that promotes staying in school and non-violent behavior and non-violent conflict resolution.

(7) Maintenance of attendance records in all programming components.

(8) Maintenance of measurable data showing annual participation and the impact of programming on the participating children and adults.

(9) Documentation of true collaboration between the school and community stakeholders, including local governmental units, civic organizations, families, businesses, and social service providers.

(10) A non-discrimination policy ensuring that the community school does not condition participation upon race, ethnic origin, religion, sex, or disability.

(11) Wraparound services, including:

(A) safe transportation to school;

(B) vision and dental care services;

(C) established or expanded school-based health center services;

(D) additional social workers, mentors, counselors, psychologists, and restorative practice coaches and enhancing physical wellness, including providing healthy food for in-school and out-of-school time and linkages to community providers;

(E) enhanced behavioral health services, including access to mental health practitioners and providing professional development to school staff to provide trauma-informed interventions;

(F) family and community engagement and support, including informing parents of academic course offerings, language classes, workforce development training, opportunities for children, and available social services, as well as educating families on how to monitor a child's learning;

(G) student enrichment experiences; and

(H) professional development for teachers and school staff to quickly identify students who are in need of these resources.

(Source: P.A. 103-265, eff. 6-1-24.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.153)

Sec. 2-3.153. Survey of learning conditions.

(a) The State Board of Education shall administer a climate survey, identified by and paid for by the State Board of Education, to provide feedback from, at a minimum, students in grades 4 through 12 and teachers on the instructional environment within a school. Each school district shall annually administer the climate survey in every public school attendance center by a date specified by the State Superintendent of Education, and data resulting from the instrument's administration must be provided to the State Board of Education. The survey component that requires completion by the teachers must be administered during teacher meetings or professional development days or at other times that would not interfere with the teachers' regular classroom and direct instructional duties. The State Superintendent shall publicly report on the survey indicators of learning conditions resulting from administration of the instrument at the individual school, district, and State levels and shall identify whether the indicators result from an anonymous administration of the instrument.

(b) A school district may elect to use, on a district-wide basis and at the school district's sole cost and expense, an alternate climate survey of learning conditions instrument pre-approved by the State Superintendent under subsection (c) of this Section in lieu of the State-adopted climate survey, provided that:

(1) the school district notifies the State Board of Education, on a form provided by the State Superintendent, of its intent to administer an alternate climate survey on or before a date established by the State Superintendent for each school;

(2) the notification submitted to the State Board under paragraph (1) of this subsection (b) must be accompanied by a certification signed by the president of the local teachers' exclusive bargaining representative and president of the school board indicating that the alternate survey has been agreed to by the teachers' exclusive bargaining representative and the school board;

(3) the school district's administration of the alternate instrument, including providing to the State Board of Education data and reports suitable to be published on school report cards and the State School Report Card Internet website, is performed in accordance with the requirements of subsection (a) of this Section; and

(4) the alternate instrument is administered each school year.

(c) The State Superintendent, in consultation with teachers, principals, superintendents, and other appropriate stakeholders, shall administer an approval process through which at least 2, but not more than 3, alternate survey of learning conditions instruments will be approved by the State Superintendent following a determination by the State Superintendent that each approved instrument:

(1) meets all requirements of subsection (a) of this Section;

(2) provides a summation of indicator results of the alternative survey by a date established by the State Superintendent in a manner that allows the indicator results to be included on school report cards pursuant to Section 10-17a of this Code by October 31 of the school year following the instrument's administration;

(3) provides summary reports for each district and attendance center intended for parents and community stakeholders;

(4) meets scale reliability requirements using accepted testing measures;

(5) provides research-based evidence linking instrument content to one or more improved student outcomes; and

(6) has undergone and documented testing to prove validity and reliability.

The State Superintendent shall periodically review and update the list of approved alternate survey instruments, provided that at least 2, but no more than 3, alternate survey instruments shall be approved for use during any school year.

(d) Nothing contained in this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly repeals, supersedes, invalidates, or nullifies final decisions in lawsuits pending on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly in Illinois courts involving the interpretation of Public Act 97-8.

(Source: P.A. 100-1046, eff. 8-23-18.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.154)

Sec. 2-3.154. Low Performing Schools Intervention Program. From any funds appropriated to the State Board of Education for the purposes of intervening in low performing schools, the State Superintendent may, in his or her discretion, select school districts and schools in which to directly or indirectly intervene; provided however that such school districts and schools are within the lowest 5% in terms of performance in the State as determined by the State Superintendent. Intervention may take the form of a needs assessment or additional, more intensive intervention, as determined by the State Superintendent. Expenditures from funds appropriated for this purpose may include, without limitation, contracts, grants and travel to support the intervention.

(Source: P.A. 97-72, eff. 7-1-11; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.155)

Sec. 2-3.155. Textbook block grant program.

(a) The provisions of this Section are in the public interest, for the public benefit, and serve secular public purposes.

(b) As used in this Section, "textbook" means any book or book substitute that a pupil uses as a text or text substitute, including electronic textbooks. "Textbook" includes books, reusable workbooks, manuals, whether bound or in loose-leaf form, instructional computer software, and electronic textbooks and the technological equipment necessary to gain access to and use electronic textbooks intended as a principal source of study material for a given class or group of students. "Textbook" also includes science curriculum materials in a kit format that includes pre-packaged consumable materials if (i) it is shown that the materials serve as a textbook substitute, (ii) the materials are for use by the pupils as a principal learning source, (iii) each component of the materials is integrally necessary to teach the requirements of the intended course, (iv) the kit includes teacher guidance materials, and (v) the purchase of individual consumable materials is not allowed.

(c) Subject to annual appropriation by the General Assembly, the State Board of Education is authorized to provide annual funding to public school districts and State-recognized, non-public schools serving students in grades kindergarten through 12 for the purchase of selected textbooks. The textbooks authorized to be purchased under this Section are limited without exception to textbooks for use in any public school and that are secular, non-religious, non-sectarian, and non-discriminatory as to any of the characteristics under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Textbooks authorized to be purchased under this Section must include the roles and contributions of all people protected under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Each public school district and State-recognized, non-public school shall, subject to appropriations for that purpose, receive a per pupil grant for the purchase of secular and non-discriminatory textbooks. The per pupil grant amount must be calculated by the State Board of Education utilizing the total appropriation made for these purposes divided by the most current student enrollment data available.

(d) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as necessary for the implementation of this Section and to ensure the religious neutrality of the textbook block grant program, as well as provide for the monitoring of all textbooks authorized in this Section to be purchased directly by State-recognized, nonpublic schools serving students in grades kindergarten through 12.

(Source: P.A. 101-17, eff. 6-14-19; 101-227, eff. 7-1-20; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.156)

Sec. 2-3.156. Mathematics curriculum models.

(a) The State Board of Education shall, immediately following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, coordinate the acquisition, adaptation, and development of middle and high school mathematics curriculum models to aid school districts and teachers in implementing standards for all students. The acquisition, adaptation, and development process shall include the input of representatives of statewide educational organizations and stakeholders, including without limitation all of the following:

(1) Representatives of a statewide mathematics professional organization.

(2) Representatives of statewide teacher organizations.

(3) Representatives of statewide school administrator organizations.

(4) Experts in higher education mathematics instruction.

(5) Experts in curriculum design.

(6) Experts in professional development design.

(7) State education policymakers and advisors.

(8) A representative from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

(9) Higher education faculty.

(10) Representatives of statewide school board organizations.

(11) Representatives of statewide principal organizations.

(b) The curriculum models under this Section shall include without limitation all of the following:

(1) Scope-and-sequence descriptions for middle and high school mathematics progressions, building content and skill acquisition across the grades.

(2) Recommendations of curricula for the final year of mathematics or math-equivalent instruction before graduation.

(3) Sample lesson plans to illustrate instructional materials and methods for specific standards.

(4) Model high school course designs that demonstrate effective student pathways to mathematics-standards attainment by graduation.

(5) Training programs for teachers and administrators, to be made available in both traditional and electronic formats for regional and local delivery.

(c) The curriculum models under this Section must be completed no later than March 1, 2013.

(d) The curriculum models and training programs under this Section must be made available to all school districts, which may choose to adopt or adapt the models in lieu of developing their own mathematics curricula. The Illinois P-20 Council shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the extent and effect of utilization of the curriculum models by school districts. Within 4 years after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, State mathematics test results and higher education mathematics remediation data must be used to gauge the effectiveness of high school mathematics instruction and the extent of standards attainment and be used to guide the continuous improvement of the mathematics curriculum and instruction.

(Source: P.A. 97-704, eff. 1-1-13.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.157)

Sec. 2-3.157. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14. Repealed internally, eff. 1-2-14.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.158)

Sec. 2-3.158. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 98-790, eff. 7-25-14. Repealed internally, eff. 12-31-15.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.159)

Sec. 2-3.159. State Seal of Biliteracy.

(a) In this Section, "foreign language" means any language other than English, including all modern languages, Latin, American Sign Language, Native American languages, and native languages.

(b) The State Seal of Biliteracy program is established to recognize public and non-public high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. School district and non-public school participation in this program is voluntary.

(c) The purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy are as follows:

(1) To encourage pupils to study languages.

(2) To certify attainment of biliteracy.

(3) To provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills.

(4) To provide universities with an additional method to recognize applicants seeking admission.

(5) To prepare pupils with 21st century skills.

(6) To recognize the value of foreign language and native language instruction in public and non-public schools.

(7) To strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community.

(d) The State Seal of Biliteracy certifies attainment of a high level of proficiency, sufficient for meaningful use in college and a career, by a graduating public or non-public high school pupil in one or more languages in addition to English.

(e) The State Board of Education shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish the criteria that pupils must achieve to earn a State Seal of Biliteracy, which may include without limitation attainment of units of credit in English language arts and languages other than English and passage of such assessments of foreign language proficiency as may be approved by the State Board of Education for this purpose. These rules shall ensure that the criteria that pupils must achieve to earn a State Seal of Biliteracy meet the course credit criteria established under subsection (i) of this Section.

(e-5) To demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency for eligibility to receive a State Seal of Biliteracy under this Section, the State Board of Education shall allow a pupil to provide his or her school district with evidence of completion of any of the following, in accordance with guidelines for proficiency adopted by the State Board:

(1) An AP (Advanced Placement) English Language and Composition Exam.

(2) An English language arts dual credit course.

(3) Transitional coursework in English language arts articulated in partnership with a public community college as an ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) College and Career Readiness Indicator.

(f) The State Board of Education shall do both of the following:

(1) Prepare and deliver to participating school districts and non-public schools an appropriate mechanism for designating the State Seal of Biliteracy on the diploma and transcript of the pupil indicating that the pupil has been awarded a State Seal of Biliteracy by the State Board of Education.

(2) Provide other information the State Board of Education deems necessary for school districts and non-public schools to successfully participate in the program.

(g) A school district or non-public school that participates in the program under this Section shall do both of the following:

(1) Maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a State Seal of Biliteracy.

(2) Make the appropriate designation on the diploma and transcript of each pupil who earns a State Seal of Biliteracy.

(h) No fee shall be charged to a pupil to receive the designation pursuant to this Section. Notwithstanding this prohibition, costs may be incurred by the pupil in demonstrating proficiency, including without limitation any assessments required under subsection (e) of this Section.

(i) For admissions purposes, each public university in this State shall accept the State Seal of Biliteracy as equivalent to 2 years of foreign language coursework taken during high school if a student's high school transcript indicates that he or she will be receiving or has received the State Seal of Biliteracy.

(j) Each public community college and public university in this State shall establish criteria to translate a State Seal of Biliteracy into course credit based on foreign language course equivalencies identified by the community college's or university's faculty and staff and, upon request from an enrolled student, the community college or university shall award foreign language course credit to a student who has received a State Seal of Biliteracy. Students enrolled in a public community college or public university who have received a State Seal of Biliteracy must request course credit for their seal within 3 academic years after graduating from high school.

(Source: P.A. 101-222, eff. 1-1-20; 101-503, eff. 8-23-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.160)

Sec. 2-3.160. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 99-78, eff. 7-20-15. Repealed internally, eff. July 1, 2015. P.A. 99-65 contained an extension of the internal repealer, but did not take effect until July 16, 2015.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.161)

Sec. 2-3.161. Definition of dyslexia; reading instruction advisory group; handbook.

(a) The State Board of Education shall incorporate, in both general education and special education, the following definition of dyslexia:

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. Dyslexia is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

(b) (Blank).

(c) The State Board of Education shall develop and maintain a handbook to be made available on its Internet website that provides guidance for pupils, parents or guardians, and teachers on the subject of dyslexia. The handbook shall include, but is not limited to:

(1) guidelines for teachers and parents or guardians on how to identify signs of dyslexia;

(2) a description of educational strategies that have been shown to improve the academic performance of pupils with dyslexia; and

(3) a description of resources and services available to pupils with dyslexia, parents or guardians of pupils with dyslexia, and teachers.

The State Board shall review the handbook once every 4 years to update, if necessary, the guidelines, educational strategies, or resources and services made available in the handbook.

(Source: P.A. 102-539, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.162)

Sec. 2-3.162. Student discipline report; school discipline improvement plan.

(a) On or before October 31, 2015 and on or before October 31 of each subsequent year, the State Board of Education, through the State Superintendent of Education, shall prepare a report on student discipline in all school districts in this State, including State-authorized charter schools. This report shall include data from all public schools within school districts, including district-authorized charter schools. This report must be posted on the Internet website of the State Board of Education. The report shall include data on the issuance of out-of-school suspensions, expulsions, and removals to alternative settings in lieu of another disciplinary action, disaggregated by race and ethnicity, gender, age, grade level, whether a student is an English learner, incident type, and discipline duration.

(b) The State Board of Education shall analyze the data under subsection (a) of this Section on an annual basis and determine the top 20% of school districts for the following metrics:

(1) Total number of out-of-school suspensions divided by the total district enrollment by the last school day in September for the year in which the data was collected, multiplied by 100.

(2) Total number of out-of-school expulsions divided by the total district enrollment by the last school day in September for the year in which the data was collected, multiplied by 100.

(3) Racial disproportionality, defined as the overrepresentation of students of color or white students in comparison to the total number of students of color or white students on October 1st of the school year in which data are collected, with respect to the use of out-of-school suspensions and expulsions, which must be calculated using the same method as the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights uses.

The analysis must be based on data collected over 3 consecutive school years, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, the State Board of Education shall require each of the school districts that are identified in the top 20% of any of the metrics described in this subsection (b) for 3 consecutive years to submit a plan identifying the strategies the school district will implement to reduce the use of exclusionary disciplinary practices or racial disproportionality or both, if applicable. School districts that no longer meet the criteria described in any of the metrics described in this subsection (b) for 3 consecutive years shall no longer be required to submit a plan.

This plan may be combined with any other improvement plans required under federal or State law.

The calculation of the top 20% of any of the metrics described in this subsection (b) shall exclude all school districts, State-authorized charter schools, and special charter districts that issued fewer than a total of 10 out-of-school suspensions or expulsions, whichever is applicable, during the school year. The calculation of the top 20% of the metric described in subdivision (3) of this subsection (b) shall exclude all school districts with an enrollment of fewer than 50 white students or fewer than 50 students of color.

The plan must be approved at a public school board meeting and posted on the school district's Internet website. Within one year after being identified, the school district shall submit to the State Board of Education and post on the district's Internet website a progress report describing the implementation of the plan and the results achieved.

(Source: P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.163)

Sec. 2-3.163. PUNS database information for students and parents or guardians.

(a) The General Assembly makes all of the following findings:

(1) Pursuant to Section 10-26 of the Department of Human Services Act, the Department of Human Services maintains a statewide database known as the PUNS database that records information about individuals with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities who are potentially in need of services.

(2) The Department of Human Services uses the data on PUNS to select individuals for services as funding becomes available, to develop proposals and materials for budgeting, and to plan for future needs.

(3) The PUNS database is available for adults with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities who have unmet service needs anticipated in the next 5 years. The PUNS database is also available for children with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities with unmet service needs.

(4) Registration to be included on the PUNS database is the first step toward receiving developmental disabilities services in this State. A child or an adult who is not on the PUNS database will not be in queue for State developmental disabilities services.

(5) Lack of awareness and information about the PUNS database results in underutilization or delays in registration for the PUNS database by students with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities and their parents or guardians.

(a-5) The purpose of this Section is to ensure that each student with an intellectual disability or a developmental disability who has an individualized education program ("IEP") and the student's parents or guardian are informed about the PUNS database, where to register for the PUNS database, and whom they can contact for information about the PUNS database and the PUNS database registration process. This Section is not intended to change the PUNS database registration process established by the Department of Human Services or to impose any responsibility on the State Board of Education or a school district to register students for the PUNS database.

(a-10) As used in this Section, "PUNS" means the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services database or PUNS database developed and maintained by the Department of Human Services pursuant to Section 10-26 of the Department of Human Services Act.

(b) The State Board of Education may work in consultation with the Department of Human Services and with school districts to ensure that all students with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities and their parents or guardians are informed about the PUNS database, as described in subsections (c), (c-5), and (d) of this Section.

(c) The Department of Human Services, in consultation with the State Board of Education, shall develop and implement an online, computer-based training program for at least one designated employee in every public school in this State to educate the designated employee or employees about the PUNS database and steps required to register students for the PUNS database, including the documentation and information parents or guardians will need for the registration process. The training shall include instruction on identifying and contacting the appropriate developmental disabilities Independent Service Coordination agency ("ISC") to register students for the PUNS database. The training of the designated employee or employees shall also include information about organizations and programs available in this State that offer assistance to families in understanding the PUNS database and navigating the PUNS database registration process. Each school district shall post on its public website and include in its student handbook the names of the designated trained employee or employees in each school within the school district.

(c-5) During the student's annual IEP review meeting, if the student has an intellectual disability or a developmental disability, the student's IEP team shall determine the student's PUNS database registration status based upon information provided by the student's parents or guardian or by the student. If it is determined that the student is not registered for the PUNS database or if it is unclear whether the student is registered for the PUNS database, the parents or guardian and the student shall be referred to a designated employee of the public school who has completed the training described in subsection (c). The designated trained employee shall provide the student's parents or guardian and the student with the name, location, and contact information of the appropriate ISC to contact in order to register the student for the PUNS database. The designated trained employee shall also identify for the parents or guardian and the student the information and documentation they will need to complete the PUNS database registration process with the ISC, and shall also provide information to the parents or guardian and the student about organizations and programs available in this State that offer information to families about the PUNS database and the PUNS database registration process.

(d) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, through school districts, shall provide to the parents and guardians of each student with an IEP a copy of the latest version of the Department of Human Services's guide titled "Understanding PUNS: A Guide to Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services" each year at the annual review meeting for the student's individualized education program.

(e) (Blank).

(f) Subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall expand its selection of individuals from the PUNS database to include individuals who receive services through the Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities - Support Waiver.

(Source: P.A. 102-57, eff. 7-9-21; 103-504, eff. 1-1-24; 103-546, eff. 8-11-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.164)

Sec. 2-3.164. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 99-642, eff. 7-28-16. Repealed internally, eff. 12-16-20.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.165)

Sec. 2-3.165. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 99-642, eff. 7-28-16. Repealed internally, eff. 6-1-16)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.166)

Sec. 2-3.166. Youth suicide awareness and prevention.

(a) This Section may be referred to as Ann Marie's Law.

(b) The State Board of Education shall do both of the following:

(1) In consultation with a youth suicide prevention organization operating in this State and organizations representing school boards and school personnel, develop a model youth suicide awareness and prevention policy that is consistent with subsection (c) of this Section.

(2) Compile, develop, and post on its publicly accessible Internet website both of the following, which may include materials already publicly available:

(A) Recommended guidelines and educational materials for training and professional development.

(B) Recommended resources and age-appropriate educational materials on youth suicide awareness and prevention.

(c) The model policy developed by the State Board of Education under subsection (b) of this Section and any policy adopted by a school board under subsection (d) of this Section shall include all of the following:

(1) A statement on youth suicide awareness and prevention.

(2) Protocols for administering youth suicide awareness and prevention education to staff and students.

(3) Methods of prevention, including procedures for early identification and referral of students at risk of suicide.

(4) Methods of intervention, including procedures that address an emotional or mental health safety plan for students identified as being at increased risk of suicide, including those students who:

(A) suffer from a mental health disorder;

(B) suffer from a substance abuse disorder;

(C) engage in self-harm or have previously attempted suicide;

(D) reside in an out-of-home placement;

(E) are experiencing homelessness;

(F) are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ);

(G) are bereaved by suicide; or

(H) have a medical condition or certain types of disabilities.

(5) Methods of responding to a student or staff suicide or suicide attempt.

(6) Reporting procedures.

(7) Recommended resources on youth suicide awareness and prevention programs, including current contact information for such programs.

(d) Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, each school board shall review and update its current suicide awareness and prevention policy to be consistent with subsection (c) of this Section or adopt an age-appropriate youth suicide awareness and prevention policy consistent with subsection (c) of this Section, inform each school district employee and the parent or legal guardian of each student enrolled in the school district of such policy, and post such policy on the school district's publicly accessible Internet website. The policy adopted by a school board under this subsection (d) may be based upon the model policy developed by the State Board of Education under subsection (b) of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-267, eff. 7-1-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.167)

Sec. 2-3.167. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17. Repealed internally, eff. 7-1-18.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.168)

Sec. 2-3.168. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17. Repealed by P.A. 102-458, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.169)

(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-979)

Sec. 2-3.169. State Global Scholar Certification.

(a) The State Global Scholar Certification Program is established to recognized public and nonpublic high school graduates who have attained global competence. State Global Scholar Certification shall be awarded beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. School district or nonpublic school participation in this certification is voluntary.

(b) The purposes of State Global Scholar Certification are as follows:

(1) To recognize the value of a global education.

(2) To certify attainment of global competence.

(3) To provide employers with a method of identifying globally competent employees.

(4) To provide colleges and universities with an additional method to recognize applicants seeking admission.

(5) To prepare students with 21st century skills.

(6) To encourage the development of a globally ready workforce in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), manufacturing, agriculture, and service sectors.

(c) State Global Scholar Certification confirms attainment of global competence, sufficient for meaningful use in college and a career, by a graduating public or nonpublic high school student.

(d) The State Board of Education shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish the criteria that students must achieve to earn State Global Scholar Certification, which shall minimally include attainment of units of credit in globally focused courses, service learning experiences, global collaboration and dialogue, and passage of a capstone project demonstrating global competency, as approved by the participating school district or nonpublic school for this purpose.

(e) The State Board of Education shall do both of the following:

(1) Prepare and deliver to participating school districts or nonpublic schools an appropriate mechanism for designating State Global Scholar Certification on the diploma and transcript of a student indicating that the student has been awarded State Global Scholar Certification by the State Board of Education.

(2) Provide other information the State Board of Education deems necessary for school districts or nonpublic schools to successfully participate in the certification.

(f) A school district or nonpublic school that participates in certification under this Section shall do both of the following:

(1) Maintain appropriate records in order to identify students who have earned State Global Scholar Certification.

(2) Make the appropriate designation on the diploma and transcript of each student who earns State Global Scholar Certification.

(g) No fee may be charged to a student to receive the designation pursuant to the Section. Notwithstanding this prohibition, costs may be incurred by the student in demonstrating proficiency.

(Source: P.A. 103-352, eff. 7-28-23.)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-979)

Sec. 2-3.169. State Global Scholar Certification.

(a) The State Global Scholar Certification Program is established to recognized public and nonpublic high school graduates who have attained global competence. State Global Scholar Certification shall be awarded beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. School district or nonpublic school participation in this certification is voluntary.

(b) The purposes of State Global Scholar Certification are as follows:

(1) To recognize the value of a global education.

(2) To certify attainment of global competence.

(3) To provide employers with a method of identifying globally competent employees.

(4) To provide colleges and universities with an additional method to recognize applicants seeking admission.

(5) To prepare students with 21st century skills.

(6) To encourage the development of a globally ready workforce in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), manufacturing, agriculture, and service sectors.

(c) State Global Scholar Certification confirms attainment of global competence, sufficient for meaningful use in college and a career, by a graduating public or nonpublic high school student.

(d) The State Board of Education shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish the criteria that students must achieve to earn State Global Scholar Certification, which shall minimally include attainment of 6 globally focused courses, service learning experiences, global collaboration or dialogue, and passage of a capstone project demonstrating global competency, as approved by the participating school district or nonpublic school for this purpose.

(e) The State Board of Education shall do both of the following:

(1) Prepare and deliver to participating school districts or nonpublic schools an appropriate mechanism for designating State Global Scholar Certification on the diploma and transcript of a student indicating that the student has been awarded State Global Scholar Certification by the State Board of Education.

(2) Provide other information the State Board of Education deems necessary for school districts or nonpublic schools to successfully participate in the certification.

(f) A school district or nonpublic school that participates in certification under this Section shall do both of the following:

(1) Maintain appropriate records in order to identify students who have earned State Global Scholar Certification.

(2) Make the appropriate designation on the diploma and transcript of each student who earns State Global Scholar Certification.

(g) No fee may be charged to a student to receive the designation pursuant to the Section. Notwithstanding this prohibition, costs may be incurred by the student in demonstrating proficiency.

(h) The State Board of Education shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to provide students attending schools that do not offer State Global Scholar Certification the opportunity to earn State Global Scholar Certification remotely beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. These rules shall include, but are not limited to, a list of all school courses and course codes derived from the State Board of Education's Illinois State Course Catalog and Illinois Virtual Course Catalog that are designated as and qualify as globally focused coursework.

If the provider of the online course determines and can demonstrate that a student meets all of the criteria required to earn State Global Scholar Certification, then the school district or nonpublic school shall designate that the student has earned State Global Scholar Certification on the student's diploma and transcript.

A school district or nonpublic school shall provide, upon the request of a student, evidence to the student that the student has completed at least 6 globally focused courses required to earn State Global Scholar Certification for the student to submit to the provider of the online course.

A student enrolled in a school district or nonpublic school that awarded State Global Scholar Certification prior to the 2026-2027 school year and offered a course to complete the capstone project requirement prior to the 2026-2027 school year may not earn State Global Scholar Certification remotely under this subsection (h).

(Source: P.A. 103-352, eff. 7-28-23; 103-979, eff. 1-1-25.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.170)

Sec. 2-3.170. Property tax relief pool grants.

(a) As used in this Section,

"EAV" means equalized assessed valuation as defined under Section 18-8.15 of this Code.

"Property tax multiplier" equals one minus the square of the school district's Local Capacity Percentage, as defined in Section 18-8.15 of this Code.

"Local capacity percentage multiplier" means one minus the school district's Local Capacity Percentage, as defined in Section 18-8.15.

"State Board" means the State Board of Education.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the State Board shall provide grants to eligible school districts that provide tax relief to the school district's residents, which may be no greater than 1% of EAV for a unit district, 0.69% of EAV for an elementary school district, or 0.31% of EAV for a high school district, as provided in this Section.

(b-5) School districts may apply for property tax relief under this Section concurrently to setting their levy for the fiscal year. The intended relief may not be greater than 1% of the EAV for a unit district, 0.69% of the EAV for an elementary school district, or 0.31% of the EAV for a high school district, multiplied by the school district's local capacity percentage multiplier. The State Board shall process applications for relief, providing a grant to those districts with the highest adjusted operating tax rate, as determined by those districts with the highest percentage of the simple average adjusted operating tax rate of districts of the same type, either elementary, high school, or unit, first, in an amount equal to the intended relief multiplied by the property tax multiplier. The State Board shall provide grants to school districts in order of priority until the property tax relief pool is exhausted. If more school districts apply for relief under this subsection than there are funds available, the State Board must distribute the grants and prorate any remaining funds to the final school district that qualifies for grant relief. The abatement amount for that district must be equal to the grant amount divided by the property tax multiplier.

If a school district receives the State Board's approval of a grant under this Section by March 1 of the fiscal year, the school district shall present a duly authorized and approved abatement resolution by March 30 of the fiscal year to the county clerk of each county in which the school files its levy, authorizing the county clerk to lower the school district's levy by the amount designated in its application to the State Board. When the preceding requisites are satisfied, the county clerk shall reduce the amount collected for the school district by the amount indicated in the school district's abatement resolution for that fiscal year.

(c) (Blank).

(d) School districts seeking grants under this Section shall apply to the State Board each year. All applications to the State Board for grants shall include the amount of the tax relief intended by the school district.

(e) Each year, based on the most recent available data provided by school districts pursuant to Section 18-8.15 of this Code, the State Board shall calculate the order of priority for grant eligibility under subsection (b-5) and publish a list of the school districts eligible for relief. The State Board shall provide grants in the manner provided under subsection (b-5).

(f) The State Board shall publish a final list of eligible grant recipients and provide payment of the grants by March 1 of each year.

(g) If notice of eligibility from the State Board is received by a school district by March 1, then by March 30, the school district shall file an abatement of its property tax levy in an amount equal to the grant received under this Section divided by the property tax multiplier. Payment of all grant amounts shall be made by June 1 each fiscal year. The State Superintendent of Education shall establish the timeline in such cases in which notice cannot be made by March 1.

(h) The total property tax relief allowable to a school district under this Section shall be calculated based on the total amount of reduction in the school district's aggregate extension. The total grant shall be equal to the reduction, multiplied by the property tax multiplier. The reduction shall be equal to 1% of a district's EAV for a unit school district, 0.69% for an elementary school district, or 0.31% for a high school district, multiplied by the school district's local capacity percentage multiplier.

(i) If the State Board does not expend all appropriations allocated pursuant to this Section, then any remaining funds shall be allocated pursuant to Section 18-8.15 of this Code.

(j) The State Board shall prioritize payments under Section 18-8.15 of this Code over payments under this Section, if necessary.

(k) Any grants received by a school district shall be included in future calculations of that school district's Base Funding Minimum under Section 18-8.15 of this Code. Beginning with Fiscal Year 2020, if a school district receives a grant under this Section, the school district must present to the county clerk a duly authorized and approved abatement resolution by March 30 for the year in which the school district receives the grant and the successive fiscal year following the receipt of the grant, authorizing the county clerk to lower the school district's levy by the amount designated in its original application to the State Board. After receiving a resolution, the county clerk must reduce the amount collected for the school district by the amount indicated in the school district's abatement resolution for that fiscal year. If a school district does not abate in this amount for the successive fiscal year, the grant amount may not be included in the school district's Base Funding Minimum under Section 18-8.15 in the fiscal year following the tax year in which the abatement is not authorized and in any future fiscal year thereafter, and the county clerk must notify the State Board of the increase no later 30 days after it occurs.

(l) In the immediate 2 consecutive tax years following receipt of a Property Tax Pool Relief Grant, the aggregate extension base of any school district receiving a grant under this Section, for purposes of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, shall include the tax relief the school district provided in the previous taxable year under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-780, eff. 8-2-24.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.171)

Sec. 2-3.171. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 100-863, eff. 8-14-18. Repealed by P.A. 102-894, eff. 5-20-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.172)

Sec. 2-3.172. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 100-863, eff. 8-14-18. Repealed by P.A. 102-894, eff. 5-20-22.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.173)

Sec. 2-3.173. Substitute teachers; recruiting firms.

(a) In this Section, "recruiting firm" means a company with expertise in finding qualified applicants for positions and screening those potential workers for an employer.

(b) By January 1, 2019, the State Board of Education shall implement a program and adopt rules to allow school districts to supplement their substitute teacher recruitment for elementary and secondary schools with the use of recruiting firms, subject to the other provisions of this Section. To qualify for the program, a school district shall demonstrate to the State Board that, because of the severity of its substitute teacher shortage, it is unable to find an adequate amount of substitute or retired teachers and has exhausted all other efforts. Substitute teachers provided by a recruiting firm must adhere to all mandated State laws, rules, and screening requirements for substitute teachers not provided by a recruiting firm and must be paid on the same wage scale as substitute teachers not provided by a recruiting firm. This Section shall not be construed to require school districts to use recruiting firms for substitute teachers. A school district may not use a recruiting firm under this Section to circumvent any collective bargaining agreements or State laws, rules, or screening requirements for teachers. A school district may not reduce the number of full-time staff members of a department as a result of hiring a substitute teacher recruiting firm. In the event of a teacher's strike, a school district may not use a recruiting firm to hire a substitute teacher.

(c) A school district organized under Article 34 of this Code may contract with a substitute teacher recruiting firm under this Section only if the district meets the following requirements:

(1) certifies to the State Board of Education that it has adequate funds to fill and pay for all substitute teacher positions;

(2) prioritizes existing substitute teachers over substitute teachers from recruiting firms;

(3) files copies of all substitute teacher contracts with the State Board of Education; and

(4) requires that the substitute teacher recruiting firm file an annual report with the school district that would include the number of substitute teachers that were placed in the district, the total cost of the contract to the district, and the percentage of substitute teacher openings that were filled.

(d) A substitute teacher recruiting firm may enter into an agreement with a labor organization that has a collective bargaining agreement with a school district.

(Source: P.A. 100-813, eff. 8-13-18; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.174)

Sec. 2-3.174. Supporting Future Teachers Program.

(a) In this Section:

"English learner" means a child included in the definition of "English learners" under Section 14C-2 of this Code.

"Low-income student" means a student that would be included in an Organizational Unit's Low-Income Count, as calculated under Section 18-8.15 of this Code.

"Program" means the Supporting Future Teachers Program established under this Section.

"Qualified participant" means a high school graduate who: (i) can demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English or is a recipient of a State Seal of Biliteracy or, at any one time during pre-kindergarten through grade 12, was identified as a low-income student; and (ii) is a member of the community in which the participating school district is located. A "qualified participant" must be enrolled in an educator preparation program approved by the State Board of Education at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in this State.

"State Board" means the State Board of Education.

(b) Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, the State Board shall establish and maintain the Supporting Future Teachers Program to assist qualified participants in acquiring a Professional Educator License.

(c) Each participating school district shall partner with an educator preparation program approved by the State Board at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in this State. Each qualified participant enrolled in the Program through the school district must be enrolled at least part-time each semester at that institution of higher education in its educator preparation program and be working toward a Professional Educator License.

(d) A qualified participant shall no longer qualify for the Program if at any time the participating school district or the institution of higher education determines that the qualified participant is no longer making substantial progress toward a degree in an approved educator preparation program.

(e) Throughout each semester of participation in the Program, the qualified participant must be employed by the participating school district and working under the supervision of a school district employee. Duties of the qualified participant may include, but are not limited to (i) working in cooperation with his or her supervisor under this subsection (e) to create classroom curriculum and lesson plans and (ii) working with and mentoring English learners or low-income students on a one-on-one basis.

Each participating school district may use appropriate State, federal, or local revenue to employ the qualified participant.

(f) At the end of each school year of the Program, each participating school district shall submit data to the State Board detailing all of the following:

(1) The number of qualified participants enrolled in the Program.

(2) The costs associated with the Program.

(3) The duties assigned to each qualified participant by his or her supervisor.

(4) The current status of each qualified participant in his or her educator preparation program.

(5) The qualified participant's Illinois Educator Identification Number, if available.

(6) Any other information requested by the State Board.

(g) Prior to the 2023-2024 school year, the State Board shall electronically submit a report to the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate detailing the first 4 years of the program, including, but not limited to, the following information:

(1) The participating school districts in the Program.

(2) The number of qualified participants enrolled in the Program.

(3) The costs associated with the Program per school district.

(4) A summary of the duties assigned to qualified participants by school district supervisors.

(5) Any other information as determined by the State Board.

(h) The State Board may establish and adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section.

(i) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require a school district to participate in the Program.

(Source: P.A. 100-982, eff. 8-19-18; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.175)

Sec. 2-3.175. Registered apprenticeship program.

(a) In this Section, "registered apprenticeship program" means an industry-based occupational training program of study with standards reviewed and approved by the United States Department of Labor that meets each of the following characteristics:

(1) Apprentices in the program are at all times employed by a company participating in the program.

(2) The program features a structured combination of on-the-job learning supported by related technical classroom instruction, met either by a high school or a public community college.

(3) Apprentices in the program are paid a training wage of not less than the State minimum wage, which escalates throughout the life of the apprenticeship, and employment is continued with the company following conclusion of the apprenticeship for a period of not less than 2 years.

(4) Apprentices in the program earn an industry-related occupational skills certificate and a high school diploma.

(5) Apprentices in the program may earn postsecondary credit toward a certificate or degree, as applicable. "Registered apprenticeship program" does not include an apprenticeship program related to construction, as defined under the Employee Classification Act.

(b) No later than 6 months after August 20, 2018 (the effective date of Public Act 100-992), the State Board of Education shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to adopt rules as may be necessary to allow students of any high school in this State who are 16 years of age or older to participate in registered apprenticeship programs. The rules shall include the waiver of all non-academic requirements mandated for graduation from a high school under this Code that would otherwise prohibit or prevent a student from participating in a registered apprenticeship program.

(Source: P.A. 100-992, eff. 8-20-18; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.176)

Sec. 2-3.176. Transfers to Governor's Grant Fund. In addition to any other transfers that may be provided for by law, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer from the SBE Federal Agency Services Fund and the SBE Federal Department of Education Fund into the Governor's Grant Fund such amounts as may be directed in writing by the State Board of Education.

(Source: P.A. 101-10, eff. 6-5-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.177)

Sec. 2-3.177. Transfers to DHS Special Purposes Trust Fund. In addition to any other transfers that may be provided for by law, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer from the SBE Federal Agency Services Fund into the DHS Special Purposes Trust Fund such amounts as may be directed in writing by the State Board of Education.

(Source: P.A. 101-10, eff. 6-5-19.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.178)

Sec. 2-3.178. K-12 Recycling Grant Program.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education must create and administer the K-12 Recycling Grant Program to provide grants to school districts for the implementation or improvement of a school's recycling program. A school district that applies for a grant under this Section may receive a maximum grant amount of $5,000 per school in that district and may use the grant funds only to implement or improve a school's recycling program.

(b) The State Board must adopt rules to implement this Section.

(Source: P.A. 101-10, eff. 6-5-19.)

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.179)

Sec. 2-3.179. Work-based learning database.

(a) In this Section, "work-based learning" means an educational strategy that provides students with real-life work experiences in which they can apply academic and technical skills and develop their employability.

(b) The State Board must develop a work-based learning database to help facilitate relationships between school districts and businesses and expand work-based learning in this State.

(Source: P.A. 101-389, eff. 8-16-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)