Section 1.420  Basic Standards

 

a)         Class schedules shall be maintained in the administrative office in each attendance center of a school district.

 

b)         Every school district shall have an organized plan for recording pupil progress and/or awarding credit that can be disseminated to other schools within the State.

 

c)         Every school district shall:

 

1)         Provide curricula and staff inservice training to help eliminate unconstitutional and unlawful discrimination in our schools and society.  School districts shall utilize the resources of the community in achieving the stated objective of elimination of discrimination and to enrich the instructional program.

 

2)         Include in its instructional program concepts designed to improve students' understanding of and their relationships with individuals and groups of different ages, sexes, races, national origins, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

 

d)         Boards shall adopt and implement a policy for the distribution of teaching assignments, including study hall and extra class duties and responsibilities.

 

e)         Every school system shall conduct supervisory and inservice programs for its professional staff.  The staff shall be involved in planning, conducting, and evaluating supervisory and inservice programs.

 

f)          Sections 10-19, 18-8.05, and 18-12 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/10-19, 18-8.05, and 18-12] establish certain requirements regarding the school year and the school day.  School districts shall observe these requirements when preparing their calendars and when calculating average daily attendance for the purpose of claiming general State financial aid.

 

1)         Section 18-8.05(F)(2)(c) of the School Code provides that, with the approval of the State Superintendent of Education, four or more clock-hours of instruction may be counted as a day of attendance when the regional superintendent certifies that the district has been forced to use multiple sessions.  The State Superintendent's approval will be granted when the district demonstrates that its facilities are inadequate to house a program offering five clock-hours daily to all students.

 

A)        The State Superintendent's approval shall be requested before the beginning of the school year.

 

B)        The school district's request shall include a copy of the minutes of the meeting at which the board of education approved the plan for multiple sessions; a plan for remedying the situation leading to the request; and a daily schedule showing that each student will be in class for at least four clock-hours.

 

C)        Requests for extensions of the State Superintendent's approval shall be made annually prior to the opening of school.

 

2)         Section 18-8.05(F)(2)(h) of the School Code allows for a determination under rules of the State Board regarding the necessity for a second year's attendance at kindergarten for certain students so they may be included in a district's calculation of average daily attendance.  Districts may count such students when they determine through an assessment of their individual educational development that a second year of kindergarten is warranted.

 

3)         A school district shall be considered to have conducted a legal school day, which is eligible to be counted for General State Aid, when the following conditions are met during a work stoppage.

 

A)        Fifty percent or more of the district's students are in attendance, based on the average daily attendance during the most recent full month of attendance prior to the work stoppage.

 

B)        Educational programs are available at all grade levels in the district, in accordance with the minimum standards set forth in this Part.

 

C)        All teachers hold certificates that are registered with the Regional Superintendent for their county of employment.  Other than substitute teachers, certification appropriate to the grade level and subject area(s) of instruction is held by all teachers.

 

4)         Attendance for General State Aid Purposes

 

A)        For purposes of determining average daily attendance on the district's General State Aid claim, students in full-day kindergarten and first grade may be counted for a full day of attendance only when they are in attendance for four or more clock hours of school work; provided, however, that students in attendance for more than two clock hours of school work but less than four clock hours may be counted for a half day of attendance.

 

B)        For purposes of determining average daily attendance on the district's General State Aid claim, students in grades 2 through 12 may be counted for a full day of attendance only when they are in attendance for five or more clock hours of school work; provided, however, that students in attendance for more than two and one-half clock hours of school work but less than five clock hours may be counted for a half day of attendance.

 

g)         Each school board shall annually prepare a calendar for the school term, specifying the opening and closing dates and providing a minimum term of at least 185 days to ensure 176 days of actual pupil attendance, computable under Section 18-8.05 of the School Code.

 

h)         Local boards of education shall establish and maintain kindergartens for the instruction of children (see Sections 10-20.19a and 10-22.18 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/10-20.19a and 10-22.18]).

 

1)         School districts may establish a kindergarten of either half-day or full-day duration. If the district establishes a full-day kindergarten, it must also provide a half-day kindergarten for those students whose parents or guardians request a half-day program.

 

2)         If a school district that establishes a full-day kindergarten also has 20 or more students whose parents request a half-day program, the district must schedule half-day classes, separate and apart from full-day classes, for those children.  If there are fewer than 20 children whose parents request a half-day program, those students may be enrolled in either the morning or afternoon session of a full-day program provided that the following conditions are met.

 

A)        Distinctive curriculum plans for the half-day and full-day kindergarten programs must be developed by the school district, made available to parents to assist the parents in selecting the appropriate program for their child, and maintained in district files.

 

B)        A common core of developmental, readiness and academic activities must be made available to all kindergarten students in the district regardless of the amount of time they attend school.

 

C)        All support services (e.g., health counseling and transportation) provided by the district must be equally available to full-day and half-day students.

 

i)          Career Education

 

1)         The educational system shall provide students with opportunities to prepare themselves for entry into the world of work.

 

2)         Every district shall initiate a Career Awareness and Exploration Program that should enable students to make more meaningful and informed career decisions.  This program should be available at all grade levels.

 

j)          Co-Curricular Activities

 

1)         Programs for extra classroom activities shall provide opportunities for all students.

 

2)         The desires of the student body in the area of co-curricular activities shall be of critical importance.  At all times, activities of this nature shall be carefully supervised by a school-approved sponsor.

 

k)         Consumer Education and Protection

 

1)         A program in consumer education may include the following topics:  the individual consumer in the marketplace, money management, consumer credit, human services (housing, food, transportation), clothing, health services, drugs and cosmetics, recreation, furnishings and appliances, insurance, savings and investments, taxes, and the consumer in our economy.

 

2)         The superintendent of each unit or high school district shall maintain evidence showing that each student has received adequate instruction in consumer education or has demonstrated proficiency by passing the Consumer Education Proficiency Test as required by law (see Section 27-12.1 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-12.1]) prior to the completion of the 12^th grade.  Consumer education may be included in course content of other courses, or it may be taught as a separate required course.

 

3)         The minimal time allocation shall not be less than nine weeks or the equivalent for grades 9-12 and shall include installment purchasing, budgeting, comparison of prices and an understanding of the roles of consumers interacting with agriculture, business, trade unions, and government in formulating and achieving the goals of the mixed free enterprise system.

 

4)         Each district may use as a guideline the information set forth in "Consumer Education in Illinois Schools" issued by the State Board of Education.

 

5)         Teachers instructing in consumer education courses shall have proper certification for the position to which they are assigned with at least three semester hours in consumer education courses.

 

l)          Conservation of Natural Resources

Each district shall provide instruction on current problems and needs in the conservation of natural resources, including, but not limited to, air pollution, water pollution, waste reduction and recycling, the effect of excessive use of pesticides, preservation of wilderness areas, forest management, protection of wildlife, and humane care of domestic animals (Section 27-13.1 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-13.1]).

                       

m)        Every school district has the responsibility to prepare students for full citizenship.  To this end each school district should encourage student discussion and communication in areas of local, State, national and international concern.

 

n)         Health Education

 

1)         Each school system shall provide a program in compliance with  the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act [105 ILCS 110].

 

A)        There is no specific time requirement for grades K-6; however, health education shall be a part of the formal regular instructional program at each grade level.

 

B)        The minimal time allocation shall not be less than one semester or equivalent during the middle or junior high experience.

 

C)        The minimal time allocation shall not be less than one semester or equivalent during the secondary school experience.

 

D)        If health education is offered in conjunction with another course on a "block of time" basis in a middle school, a junior high school, or a high school, instruction may be offered in any combination of the grade levels in the school, provided that the total time devoted to health education is the equivalent of one full semester's work.

 

2)         Nothing in this Section shall be construed as requiring or preventing the establishment of classes or courses in comprehensive sex education or family life education as authorized by Sections 27-9.1 and 27-9.2 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-9.1 and 27-9.2] or by the Sex Education Act [105 ILCS 130].

 

o)         Library Media Programs

Each school district shall provide a program of library media services for the students in each of its schools.  Each district's program shall meet the requirements of this subsection (o).

 

1)         General

The program shall include an organized collection of resources that circulate to students and staff in order to supplement classroom instruction, foster reading for pleasure, enhance information literacy, and support research, as appropriate to students of all abilities in the grade levels served.  No later than the beginning of the 2014-15 school year, a district that relies solely upon the collection of a local public library shall maintain evidence that students receive instruction, direction, or assistance in locating and using resources that are applicable to these purposes from an individual who is qualified under Section 1.755 of this Part and who is acting on behalf of the school district.

 

2)         Financial Resources

Each district's annual budget shall include an identifiable allocation for resources and supplies for the program, except that a unit district serving fewer than 400 students or an elementary or high school district serving fewer than 200 students may demonstrate that it is meeting its students' needs through alternate means that the district has determined are adequate in light of local circumstances.

 

3)         Facilities

If there is no single location within a particular attendance center that is specifically devoted to a library media center, such as where classroom collections have been established instead, the district shall ensure that equitable access to library media resources is made available to students in all the grade levels served.  If students' only access to library media resources is achieved by visiting a location outside their attendance center, the district shall maintain records demonstrating that all students' regular schedules include time for this purpose.

 

4)         Staff

Nothing in this subsection (o)(4) shall be construed as prohibiting districts or schools from sharing the services of individuals qualified under Section 1.755 of this Part.  No later than the beginning of the 2009-10 school year, each district shall assign responsibility for overall direction of its program of library media services to an employee who holds an elementary, a secondary, a special K-12, a special preschool-age 21, an early childhood, or an administrative certificate.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection (o)(4)(A) of this Section, the individual to whom this responsibility is assigned shall meet the requirements of Section 1.755 of this Part.

 

A)        In the event that no employee of the district holds any of the qualifications enumerated in Section 1.755 of this Part, the individual to whom direction of the program is assigned shall be required to participate annually in professional development consisting of:

 

i)          undergraduate or graduate coursework in library science offered by a regionally accredited institution of higher education; or

 

ii)         one or more workshops, seminars, conferences, institutes, symposia, or other similar training events that are offered by the Illinois State Library, a regional library system, or another professional librarians' organization; or

 

iii)        one or more "library academies" if these are made available by or at the direction of the State Superintendent of Education.

 

B)        A district that is otherwise unable to fulfill the requirements of this subsection (o)(4) shall ensure that the overall direction of the library media program (e.g., selection and organization of materials, provision of instruction in information and technology literacy, structuring the work of library paraprofessionals) is accomplished with the advice of an individual who is qualified pursuant to Section 1.755 of this Part.

 

p)         Physical Education

 

1)         Appropriate activity related to physical education shall be required of all students each day unless otherwise permitted by Section 27-6 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-6].  The time schedule shall compare favorably with other courses in the curriculum. Safety education as it relates to the physical education program should be incorporated.

 

2)         There shall be a definite school policy regarding credit earned each semester in physical education with provisions for allowable variables in special cases.

 

3)         If a district determines that it is difficult to implement a program of physical education that involves all students daily, the administration should consult one of the program service personnel from the State Board of Education for assistance in the development of an acceptable program.

 

4)         The physical education and training course offered in grades 5 through 10 may include health education (Section 27-5 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-5]).

 

5)         Special activities in physical education shall be provided for pupils whose physical or emotional condition, as determined by a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act [225 ILCS 60], prevents their participation in the courses provided for normal children (Section 27-6 of the School Code).

 

6)         Pursuant to Section 27-6 of the School Code, a student who presents an appropriate excuse from his or her parent or guardian or from a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 shall be excused from participation in physical education.  Each school board shall honor excuses signed by persons licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 and shall establish a policy defining the types of parental excuses it will deem "appropriate" for this purpose, which shall include, but need not be limited to, reliance upon religious prohibitions.  A board shall, however, have no authority to honor parental excuses based upon students' participation in athletic training, activities, or competitions conducted outside the auspices of the school district.  For each type of excuse that will be considered "appropriate", the school board shall identify in its policy any evidence or support it will require.  For example, a board may require a signed statement from a member of the clergy corroborating the religious basis of a request.

 

7)         In addition, pursuant to Section 27-6(b) of the School Code, each school board that chooses to excuse pupils enrolled in grades 9 through 12 from engaging in physical education courses under that subsection shall establish a policy to excuse pupils on an individual basis and shall have the policy on file in the local district office.  The district shall maintain records showing that, in disposing of each request to be excused from physical education, the district applied the criteria set forth in Section 27-6 to the student's individual circumstances.

 

q)         Pupil Personnel Services

To assure provision of Pupil Personnel Services, the local district shall conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to determine the scope of the needs in the areas of:

 

1)         Guidance and Counseling Needs;

 

2)         Psychological Needs;

 

3)         Social Work Needs;

 

4)         Health Needs.

 

r)          Social Sciences and History

Each school system shall provide history and social sciences courses that do the following:

 

1)         analyze the principles of representative government, the Constitutions of both the United States and the State of Illinois, the proper use of the flag, and how these concepts have related and currently do relate in actual practice in our world (see Section 27-21 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-21]);

 

2)         include in the teaching of United States history the role and contributions of ethnic groups in the history of this country and the State (Section 27-21 of the School Code);

 

3)         include in the teaching of United States history the role of labor unions and their interaction with government in achieving the goals of a mixed free-enterprise system (Section 27-21 of the School Code);

 

4)         include the study of that period in world history known as the Holocaust (Section 27-20.3 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-20.3]);

 

5)         include the study of the events of Black history, including the individual contributions of African-Americans and their collective socio-economic struggles (Section 27-20.4 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-20.4]); and

 

6)         include the study of the events of women's history in America, including individual contributions and women's struggles for the right to vote and for equal treatment (Section 27-20.5 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-20.5]).

 

s)         Protective eye devices shall be provided to and worn by all students, teachers, and visitors when participating in or observing dangerous vocational arts and chemical-physical courses of laboratories as specified in Section 1 of the Eye Protection in School Act [105 ILCS 115/1].  Such eye protective devices shall meet the nationally accepted standards set forth in "Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection", ANSI Z87.1-2003, issued by the American National Standards Institute, Inc., 1819 L Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036.  No later additions or amendments to these standards are incorporated by this Part.

 

t)          In every public school there shall be instruction, study and discussion of effective methods by which pupils may recognize the danger of and avoid abduction.  Such required instruction, study and discussion may be included in the courses of study regularly taught in the schools.  In grades kindergarten through 8, such required instruction must be given each year to all pupils in those grades.  (Section 27-13.2 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-13.2])

 

u)         School districts shall provide instruction in relation to the prevention of abuse of anabolic steroids in grades 7 through 12 and shall include such instruction in science, health, drug abuse, physical education or other appropriate courses of study.  Such instruction shall emphasize that the use of anabolic steroids presents a serious health hazard to persons who use steroids to enhance athletic performance or physical development.  (Section 27-23.3 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/27-23.3])

 

(Source:  Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 10229, effective June 30, 2008)