HB4241 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 12921 NHT 36777 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB4241

Introduced , by Rep. Deborah Conroy

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27-22

from Ch. 122, par. 27-22

If and only if House Bill 4025 of the 99th General Assembly becomes law, amends the School Code to provide that the requirement that at least one semester of a high school student's 2 years of social studies be civics applies beginning with students entering the 9th grade in the 2016-2017 school year. Effective immediately or on the date House Bill 4025 of the 99th General Assembly takes effect, whichever is later.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. If and only if House Bill 4025 of the 99th General Assembly becomes law, the School Code is amended by changing Section 27-22 as follows:

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

Sec. 27-22. Required high school courses.

(a) As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade in the 1984-1985 school year through the 2004-2005 school year must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete the following courses:

(1) three years of language arts;

(2) two years of mathematics, one of which may be related to computer technology;

(3) one year of science;

(4) two years of social studies, of which at least one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government; and

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

(b) As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade in the 2005-2006 school year must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:

(1) Three years of language arts.

(2) Three years of mathematics.

(3) One year of science.

(4) Two years of social studies, of which at least one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government.

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

(c) As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade in the 2006-2007 school year must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:

(1) Three years of language arts.

(2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be Algebra I and one of which must include geometry content.

(4) One year of science.

(5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government.

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

(d) As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade in the 2007-2008 school year must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:

(1) Three years of language arts.

(2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be Algebra I and one of which must include geometry content.

(4) Two years of science.

(5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government.

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

(e) As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade in the 2008-2009 school year or a subsequent school year must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:

(1) Four years of language arts.

(2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course if the pupil successfully completes Algebra II or an integrated mathematics course with Algebra II content.

(4) Two years of science.

(5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2016-2017 school year, at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education.

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

(f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform school districts of standards for writing-intensive coursework.

(f-5) If a school district offers an Advanced Placement computer science course to high school students, then the school board must designate that course as equivalent to a high school mathematics course and must denote on the student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of this Section.

(g) This amendatory Act of 1983 does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in 1983-1984 school year and prior school years or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

This amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year or a prior school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized education program.

(h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the provisions of Section 27-22.05.

(Source: P.A. 98-885, eff. 8-15-14; 09900HB4025enr.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law or on the date House Bill 4025 of the 99th General Assembly takes effect, whichever is later.