HB1406 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 05613 NHT 45675 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB1406

Introduced , by Rep. Bill Mitchell

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27-3

from Ch. 122, par. 27-3

Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, students in grade 6 must successfully complete at least one semester of a civics education course that includes the roles and responsibilities of federal, State, and local governments; the structures and functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government; and the meaning and significance of historic documents, such as the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States. Requires the State Board of Education to develop a statewide, standardized, end-of-course assessment in civics education for 6th grade students enrolled in a civics education course. Provides that (i) during the 2012-2013 school year, the end-of-course assessment in civics education must be administered as a field test; (ii) during the 2013-2014 school year, each student's performance on the end-of-course assessment in civics education shall constitute 30% of the student's final course grade; and (iii) beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, a student must earn a passing score on the end-of-course assessment in civics education in order to pass the course and receive course credit and in order to be promoted to the next higher grade level.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

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 changing Section 27-3 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-3) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-3)

Sec. 27-3. Civics; Patriotism and principles of representative government - Proper use of flag - Method of voting - Pledge of Allegiance.

(a) American patriotism and the principles of representative government, as enunciated in the American Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and the proper use and display of the American flag, shall be taught in all public schools and other educational institutions supported or maintained in whole or in part by public funds. No student shall receive a certificate of graduation without passing a satisfactory examination upon such subjects.

Instruction shall be given in all such schools and institutions in the method of voting at elections by means of the Australian Ballot system and the method of the counting of votes for candidates.

(b) Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, students in grade 6 must successfully complete at least one semester of a civics education course that includes the roles and responsibilities of federal, State, and local governments; the structures and functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government; and the meaning and significance of historic documents, such as the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States.

The State Board of Education shall develop a statewide, standardized, end-of-course assessment in civics education for 6th grade students enrolled in a civics education course. During the 2012-2013 school year, the end-of-course assessment in civics education must be administered as a field test. During the 2013-2014 school year, each student's performance on the end-of-course assessment in civics education shall constitute 30% of the student's final course grade. Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, a student must earn a passing score on the end-of-course assessment in civics education in order to pass the course and receive course credit and in order to be promoted to the next higher grade level.

(c) The Pledge of Allegiance shall be recited each school day by pupils in elementary and secondary educational institutions supported or maintained in whole or in part by public funds.

(Source: P.A. 92-612, eff. 7-3-02.)