SB1457enr 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1457 Enrolled LRB099 07646 NHT 27777 b

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended by adding Section 9.34 as follows:

(110 ILCS 205/9.34 new)

Sec. 9.34. Military Prior Learning Assessment Task Force.

(a) The Military Prior Learning Assessment Task Force is created within the Board of Higher Education. The Task Force shall study and make recommendations on how to best effectuate the recognition of military learning for academic credit, industry-recognized credentials, and college degrees through the use of the Prior Learning Assessment. The Task Force shall be comprised of all of the following members:

(1) A representative from the Board of Higher Education, who shall chair the Task Force, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(2) A representative from the Illinois Community College Board appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

(3) A representative from the Department of Veterans' Affairs appointed by the Director of Veterans' Affairs.

(4) A representative from the Illinois Discharged Servicemember Task Force appointed by the Illinois Discharged Servicemember Task Force.

(5) A representative from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission appointed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

(6) A member of the General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(7) A member of the General Assembly appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(8) A member of the General Assembly appointed by the President of the Senate.

(9) A member of the General Assembly appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(10) Three faculty representatives, one from a public university, one from a public community college, and one from a private institution, appointed by the Board of Higher Education in consultation with the Illinois Community College Board and their advisory groups.

(11) Two presidents of Illinois colleges and universities appointed by the Board of Higher Education in consultation with the Illinois Community College Board.

(12) A representative from the Illinois Joining Forces Education Working Group appointed by the Illinois Joining Forces Education Working Group.

(13) A representative of a nonprofit organization that is recognized as having expertise in the area of the Prior Learning Assessment appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(14) A representative from the Office of the State Fire Marshal appointed by the State Fire Marshal.

Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation and may not be reimbursed for their expenses.

The Board of Higher Education shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

(b) The Task Force's study shall without limitation:

(1) Examine the history of the Prior Learning Assessment and its impact on active military and student veterans in today's educational landscape.

(2) Examine policies and practices in other states to identify best practices in the Prior Learning Assessment for active military and student veterans.

(3) Determine current policies and practices in this State, including existing Prior Learning Assessment methods being utilized among this State's public and private colleges and universities in connection with active military and student veterans.

(4) Review the quality standards necessary to adequately assess military learning based on experience and non-credit education and training for purposes of awarding academic credit.

(5) Consider alternative means to award academic credit for active military and student veterans.

(6) Consider transferability of academic credit awarded by the Prior Learning Assessment and student mobility.

(7) Consider the importance of recognition of industry-recognized credentials by colleges and universities for the purpose of awarding academic credit.

(8) Consider the acceptance of industry-recognized credentials and academic credit credentials or degrees by licensing bodies.

(c) The Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the State Board of Education, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Illinois Discharged Servicemember Task Force, the General Assembly, and the Governor on or before December 1, 2016.

(d) This Section is repealed on December 1, 2017.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.