Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB0306

Amends the School Code. With respect to the administration of State assessments, provides that a student is not required to take a particular State assessment if that student's parent or guardian requests, in writing, that the student be excused from taking the State assessment. Requires the State Board of Education, by rule, to (i) determine the form of the request, (ii) ensure that no student, teacher, school, or school district is negatively impacted, through grades or evaluations, due to a student being excused from taking a State assessment, and (iii) ensure that students who are excused from taking a State assessment are offered supervised instructional or enrichment opportunities during the time the State assessment is being administered. Effective immediately.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the introduced bill with the following changes. Requires the State Board of Education to ensure that the State Board, regional superintendents of schools, and school boards take no negative action against a student, school, school district, or district employee (rather than ensuring that no student, teacher, school, or school district is negatively impacted), through grades or evaluations, due to a student being excused from taking a State assessment. Provides that once each school year, before any State assessments are administered, a school district shall communicate with the parents and guardians of students to explain the right to opt out of a particular State assessment and shall make opt-out forms available. Provides that neither the school district, nor any teacher or school in the district, may issue additional official correspondence to students or their parents or guardians about the right to opt out. Requires a school district to accept any letter expressing a parent's or guardian's intent for his or her child to be excused from taking a particular State assessment in lieu of the opt-out form as long as the letter is signed by the parent or guardian. Prohibits a school district and its teachers, principals, and other administrators from encouraging or discouraging students or their parents or guardians, either individually or collectively, to opt out of State assessments. Requires the State Board to determine appropriate sanctions for a violation of this prohibition. Effective immediately.

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