SB1679enr 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1679 Enrolled LRB099 08002 SXM 28142 b

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 2-3.163 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.163 new)

Sec. 2-3.163. Virtual education review committee.

(a) The State Superintendent of Education shall establish a review committee to review virtual education and course choice. The review committee shall consist of all of the following individuals appointed by the State Superintendent:

(1) One representative of the State Board of Education, who shall serve as chairperson.

(2) One parent.

(3) One educator representing a statewide professional teachers' organization.

(4) One educator representing a different statewide professional teachers' organization.

(5) One educator representing a professional teachers' organization in a city having a population exceeding 500,000.

(6) One school district administrator representing an association that represents school administrators.

(7) One school principal representing an association that represents school principals.

(8) One school board member representing an association that represents school board members.

(9) One special education administrator representing an association that represents special education administrators.

(10) One representative of a school district in a city having a population exceeding 500,000.

(11) One school principal representing an association that represents school principals in a city having a population exceeding 500,000.

(12) One representative of an education advocacy group that works with parents.

(13) One representative of an education public policy organization.

(14) One representative of an institution of higher education.

(15) One representative of a virtual school in this State. The review committee shall also consist of all of the following members appointed as follows:

(A) One member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.

(B) One member of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(C) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(D) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

Members of the review committee shall serve without compensation, but, subject to appropriation, members may be reimbursed for travel.

(b) The review committee shall meet at least 4 times, at the call of the chairperson, to review virtual education and course choice. This review shall include a discussion on virtual course access programs, including the ability of students to enroll in online coursework and access technology to complete courses. The review committee shall make recommendations on changes and improvements and provide best practices for virtual education and course choice in this State. The review committee shall determine funding mechanisms and district cost projections to administer course access programs.

(c) The State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support to the review committee.

(d) The review committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly no later than May 31, 2016. Upon filing its report, the review committee is dissolved.

(e) This Section is repealed on June 1, 2016.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.