Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB1243

LRB104 06190 LNS 16225 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB1243

Introduced 1/28/2025, by Rep. Maurice A. West, II

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/13B-20.40 new

Amends the Alternative Learning Opportunities Law of the School Code. Provides that Regional Office of Education No. 4 shall establish a 3-year pilot program focused on serving students in grades kindergarten through 3. Provides that students in grades kindergarten through 3 who meet enrollment criteria established by a school district and who are at risk of academic failure are eligible to participate in the pilot program. Requires the pilot program to adhere to all other rules established for alternative learning opportunities programs. Requires Regional Office of Education No. 4 to provide a report to the General Assembly outlining the pilot program's methodology and student outcomes and setting forth a comprehensive impact report and a framework for future program models. Effective immediately.

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. The School Code is amended by adding Section 13B-20.40 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/13B-20.40 new)

Sec. 13B-20.40. Pilot program.

(a) The General Assembly recognizes that helping students to build social, emotional, and academic success from an early age is essential to long-term success in schools and, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, more students are exhibiting behavioral concerns that make it difficult to thrive in traditional educational settings. Furthermore, alternative learning opportunities programs are designed to provide varied support to improve the educational achievement of students at risk of academic failure, and Summit Academy, the alternative learning opportunities program operated by Regional Office of Education No. 4, has a stated mission anchored in positive outcomes, with the goal of restoring and returning every student to that student's home school.

(b) Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, Regional Office of Education No. 4 shall establish a 3-year pilot alternative learning opportunities program focused on serving students in grades kindergarten through 3.

(c) Students in grades kindergarten through 3 who meet enrollment criteria established by a school district and who are at risk of academic failure are eligible to participate in the pilot program.

(d) The pilot program shall adhere to all other rules established for alternative learning opportunities programs.

(e) No later than March 31, 2028, Regional Office of Education No. 4 shall provide a report to the General Assembly outlining the pilot program's methodology and student outcomes and setting forth a comprehensive impact report and a framework for future program models.

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