103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5811

 

Introduced 4/10/2024, by Rep. Amy Elik

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/22-100 new

    Amends the School Code. Creates the Task Force on Foreign Language Education Requirements to review public policy options relating to foreign language education requirements for secondary education in this State. Sets forth the membership of the task force. Provides for expense reimbursement, meetings, and administrative support. Provides that the task force shall review policy offerings for the education of students in a foreign language and alternatives that may benefit students as students age into the workforce and offer policymaking recommendations related to alternatives to current foreign language education requirements. Sets forth other duties of the task force. Provides that the task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor by July 1, 2025. Provides that the task force is dissolved and the provisions are repealed on August 1, 2025.


LRB103 40185 RJT 72013 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB5811LRB103 40185 RJT 72013 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section
522-100 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/22-100 new)
7    Sec. 22-100. Task Force on Foreign Language Education
8Requirements.
9    (a) The Task Force on Foreign Language Education
10Requirements is created for the purpose of reviewing public
11policy options relating to foreign language education
12requirements for secondary education in this State.
13    (b) The task force shall be comprised of the following
14members:
15        (1) One member of the General Assembly, appointed by
16    the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
17        (2) One member of the General Assembly, appointed by
18    the President of the Senate.
19        (3) One member of the General Assembly, appointed by
20    the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
21        (4) One member of the General Assembly, appointed by
22    the Minority Leader of the Senate.
23        (5) One representative from a rural school district

 

 

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1    recommended by a statewide advisory council representing
2    rural school districts, appointed by the State
3    Superintendent of Education.
4        (6) The State Superintendent of Education or the State
5    Superintendent's designee.
6        (7) One representative of a statewide organization
7    representing regional superintendents of schools,
8    appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.
9        (8) One school district superintendent who represents
10    a large region of this State and one school district
11    superintendent who represents a small region of this
12    State, each recommended by an association representing
13    school district superintendents and each appointed by the
14    State Superintendent of Education.
15    Task force members shall serve without compensation but
16shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary
17expenses from funds appropriated to the State Board of
18Education for that purpose, subject to the rules of the
19appropriate travel control board.
20    (c) The task force shall meet initially at the call of the
21State Superintendent of Education not later than 90 days from
22the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General
23Assembly, shall select one member as chairperson at its
24initial meeting, and shall thereafter meet quarterly.
25    (d) The State Board of Education shall provide
26administrative support to the task force.

 

 

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1    (e) The task force shall review policy offerings for the
2education of students in a foreign language and alternatives
3that may benefit students as students age into the workforce
4and offer policymaking recommendations related to alternatives
5to current foreign language education requirements. The task
6force shall work cooperatively with educators, school boards,
7and school districts across this State, advocacy groups, and
8appropriate State agencies to develop policy options related
9to foreign language education and alternatives that may serve
10students better throughout their lives.
11    In addition, the task force shall do all of the following:
12        (1) Review existing statutes relating to foreign
13    language education requirements.
14        (2) Review legislation relating to foreign language
15    education requirements and how, if at all, classes may be
16    taken instead of foreign language courses.
17        (3) Gather and analyze information on the current
18    capacity of foreign language educators in the school
19    system.
20        (4) Gather and analyze information about foreign
21    language endorsements on educator licenses.
22    (f) The task force shall report its findings and
23recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor by
24July 1, 2025.
25    (g) The task force is dissolved and this Section is
26repealed on August 1, 2025.