093_SB0201

 
                                     LRB093 07446 NHT 07611 b

 1        AN ACT concerning education.

 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  Article
 5    1G as follows:

 6        (105 ILCS 5/Art. 1G heading new)
 7                 ARTICLE 1G. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE
 8                         BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

 9        (105 ILCS 5/1G-1 new)
10        Sec.  1G-1.  Purpose.   The purpose of this Article is to
11    permit   greater   flexibility    and   efficiency   in   the
12    distribution and use of  certain  State  funds  available  to
13    local  education  agencies  in  order to ensure that students
14    meet or exceed the Illinois Learning Standards in mathematics
15    and science.  The State Board of Education shall administer a
16    Mathematics and Science Block Grant Program and award Program
17    funds to eligible recipients upon application.   As  used  in
18    this  Section,  "school district" shall include those schools
19    designated as "laboratory schools".

20        (105 ILCS 5/1G-5 new)
21        Sec. 1G-5.  Authorized  Uses.   Mathematics  and  Science
22    Block  Grant  Program  funds  shall  be used in the following
23    manner consistent with application  requirements  established
24    by  the State Board of Education as provided in Section 1G-15
25    of this Article:
26             (1)  To  expand  learning  opportunities  in  grades
27        kindergarten through 8,  to  ensure  that  every  student
28        meets the Illinois Learning Standards for mathematics, as
29        defined   by   the   learning   benchmarks  and  relevant
 
                            -2-      LRB093 07446 NHT 07611 b
 1        performance standards for middle and junior high schools,
 2        by the end of eighth grade, including  standards  related
 3        to  number sense, estimation and measurement, algebra and
 4        analytical  methods,   geometry,   data   analysis,   and
 5        probability;
 6             (2)  To  expand  learning  opportunities  in  grades
 7        kindergarten  through  8,  to  ensure  that every student
 8        meets the Illinois Learning Standards for mathematics, as
 9        defined  by  the   learning   benchmarks   and   relevant
10        performance standards for middle and junior high schools,
11        by  the  end of eighth grade, including standards related
12        to  inquiry  and  design;  concepts  and  principles   of
13        science; and science, technology, and society;
14             (3)  To   train   and  retrain  teachers  of  grades
15        kindergarten through 12 to  be  more  proficient  in  the
16        teaching   of   mathematics   and  science  by  providing
17        professional development opportunities;
18             (4)  To   improve   curriculum,   instruction,   and
19        assessment relevant to the  Illinois  Learning  Standards
20        for grades kindergarten through 12; and
21             (5)  To   supply   classrooms   with  materials  and
22        equipment  related  to  the  teaching  and  learning   of
23        mathematics and science.

24        (105 ILCS 5/1G-10 new)
25        Sec.  1G-10.  Allocation.   Mathematics and Science Block
26    Grant Program funds shall be distributed to school  districts
27    based  upon available appropriations and rules established by
28    the State Board of  Education.   Distribution  of  moneys  to
29    school  districts  shall  be  made in semi-annual installment
30    payments, one payment to be made on or before October 30, and
31    one payment to be made prior to April 30 of each year.

32        (105 ILCS 5/1G-15 new)
 
                            -3-      LRB093 07446 NHT 07611 b
 1        Sec. 1G-15.  Application.  Mathematics and Science  Block
 2    Grant  Program funds shall be made available to each eligible
 3    school district upon completion  of  an  application  process
 4    that  is consistent with rules established by the State Board
 5    of Education.  The application shall include the planned  use
 6    of the funds.

 7        (105 ILCS 5/1G-20 new)
 8        Sec.  1G-20.  Rules.   The State Board of Education shall
 9    adopt rules as may be necessary to implement  the  provisions
10    of this Article.

11        Section  99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect July
12    1, 2003.