Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB3026

Amends the School Code by adding the Dual Language Education Article. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt comprehensive guidance for school districts on starting new dual language education programs and expanding existing programs. Provides that the guidance shall cover a comprehensive program structure, curriculum, instruction, assessment and accountability, staff quality and professional development, family and community engagement, and support and resources. Provides that the State Board of Education's Equity Journey Continuum shall integrate: (1) dual language education into the broader framework of student learning to ensure it is considered an essential part of educational equity and excellence; and (2) specific provisions for dual language teachers, focusing on recruitment, professional development, and retention of bilingual educators. Requires a school district to establish recognition pathways for biliteracy at various levels before high school. Requires each school district to: (1) create an intuitive and resource-rich online platform that provides comprehensive information and tools for potential bilingual educators; (2) develop strategies to ensure bilingual educators remain in the profession; and (3) launch a marketing campaign that aligns with the U.S. Department of Education's "Being Bilingual is a Superpower" initiative, focusing on the benefits of bilingualism and highlighting inspiring stories of bilingual educators and students.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code by adding the Dual Language Education Article. Requires, by December 15, 2026, the State Board to adopt comprehensive guidance for school districts regarding the establishment of new dual language education programs and the expansion of existing dual language education programs. Requires, by July 1, 2029, the State Board of Education's Equity Journey Continuum to integrate into the comprehensive strategic plan dual language education into the broader framework of student learning to ensure it is considered an essential part of educational equity and excellence and specific provisions for dual language teachers, focusing on recruitment, professional development, and retention of bilingual educators. Requires, by July 1, 2027, the State Board to establish recognition pathways for biliteracy at various levels before high school. Allows school districts to choose to participate in the pathways to biliteracy program.

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