SB2135 Engrossed LRB093 14551 NHT 40042 b

1     AN ACT relating to schools.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section
5 2-3.134 as follows:
 
6     (105 ILCS 5/2-3.134 new)
7     Sec. 2-3.134. K-3 class size reduction grant program. A
8 class size reduction grant program is created. The program
9 shall be implemented and administered by the State Board of
10 Education. From appropriations made for purposes of this
11 Section, the State Board shall award grants to schools that
12 meet the criteria established by this Section for the award of
13 those grants.
14     Grants shall be awarded pursuant to application. The form
15 and manner of applications and the criteria for the award of
16 grants shall be prescribed by the State Board of Education. The
17 grant criteria as so prescribed, however, shall provide that
18 only those schools that are on the State Board of Education
19 Early Academic Warning List or the academic watch list under
20 Section 2-3.25d that maintain grades kindergarten through 3 are
21 grant eligible.
22     Grants awarded to eligible schools under this Section shall
23 be used and applied by the schools to defray the costs and
24 expenses of operating and maintaining classes in grades
25 kindergarten through 3 with an average class size within a
26 specific grade of no more than 20 pupils. If a school's
27 facilities are inadequate to allow for this specified class
28 size, then a school may use the grant funds for teacher aides
29 instead.
30     The State Board of Education shall adopt any rules,
31 consistent with the requirements of this Section, that are
32 necessary to implement and administer the K-3 class size

 

 

SB2135 Engrossed - 2 - LRB093 14551 NHT 40042 b

1 reduction grant program.
 
2     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
3 becoming law.