HB3741 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 07239 NHT 27339 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB3741

Introduced , by Rep. Adam Brown

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program Act. Establishes the Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program, to be implemented and administered by the Board of Higher Education, in conjunction with the State Board of Education and the Illinois Community College Board, with the goal of creating a model of articulation and coordination among grade K-12 schools, community colleges, and public universities that will allow students to earn a baccalaureate degree for a total cost not exceeding $10,000, including textbooks. Provides that the Board of Higher Education, in conjunction with the State Board of Education and the Illinois Community College Board, shall determine which public universities, public community colleges, and school districts are to participate in the pilot program (in 3 areas of this State). Requires the universities, community colleges, and school districts participating in the pilot program to coordinate their efforts to expedite the progress of participating students from high school to community college to university to earn their baccalaureate degrees for a total cost not exceeding $10,000, including textbooks. Sets forth the components of the pilot program.

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 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program Act.

Section 5. Legislative intent. It is the intent of the General Assembly to establish a pilot program with the goal of creating a model of articulation and coordination among grade K-12 schools, community colleges, and public universities that will allow students to earn a baccalaureate degree for a total cost not exceeding $10,000, including textbooks.

Section 10. Establishment of pilot program.

(a) The Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program is hereby established, to be implemented and administered by the Board of Higher Education, in conjunction with the State Board of Education and the Illinois Community College Board. The pilot program shall include participating public universities, public community colleges, and school districts in 3 areas of this State. The Board of Higher Education, in conjunction with the State Board of Education and the Illinois Community College Board, shall determine which universities, community colleges, and school districts are to participate in the pilot program.

(b) The universities, community colleges, and school districts participating in the pilot program shall coordinate their efforts to expedite the progress of participating students from high school to community college to university to earn their baccalaureate degrees for a total cost not exceeding $10,000, including textbooks.

Section 15. Components of pilot program. The Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program shall consist of all of the following components, notwithstanding any other law:

(1) The number of Advanced Placement (AP) course credits that a participating high school pupil may earn is unlimited.

(2) A participating student may attend and earn college course credit at either his or her high school or at a participating community college.

(3) In order to earn college course credit under the pilot program for college-level course work undertaken before graduation from high school, a participating student shall earn a score of 3 or better on the AP examination for each college-level course.

(4) A participating student shall receive priority enrollment status at a participating community college and be required to enroll at that community college either in the summer term or the fall semester immediately succeeding that pupil's graduation from high school.

(5) In order to remain in the pilot program, a participating student shall maintain a grade point average of at least a 2.0 on a 4-point scale or its equivalent at the community college he or she attends pursuant to the pilot program.

(6) A participating student shall attend community college full time, shall take no less than 12 semester units each semester, and shall complete his or her associate's degree in not less than 2 years from the date he or she enrolled at the community college.

(7) A participating university shall accept a minimum of 60 semester units earned by a participating student at either a high school or a community college pursuant to the pilot program.

Section 90. Rules. The State Board of Education, the Board of Higher Education, and the Illinois Community College Board may adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer this Act.