Updating the database of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) is an ongoing process. Recent laws may not yet be included in the ILCS database, but they are found on this site as Public Acts soon after they become law. For information concerning the relationship between statutes and Public Acts, refer to the Guide.

Because the statute database is maintained primarily for legislative drafting purposes, statutory changes are sometimes included in the statute database before they take effect. If the source note at the end of a Section of the statutes includes a Public Act that has not yet taken effect, the version of the law that is currently in effect may have already been removed from the database and you should refer to that Public Act to see the changes made to the current law.

105 ILCS 5/27-15

(105 ILCS 5/27-15) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-15)

Sec. 27-15.

Moral and humane education - In institute programs.

The superintendent of each region and city shall include
once each year moral and humane education in the program of the
teachers' institute which is held under his supervision.

(Source: P.A. 79-597.)

105 ILCS 5/27-16

(105 ILCS 5/27-16)

Sec. 27-16. (Repealed).

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31. Repealed by P.A. 94-1105, eff. 6-1-07.)

105 ILCS 5/27-17

(105 ILCS 5/27-17) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-17)

Sec. 27-17. Safety education.

School boards of public schools and all boards in charge of
educational institutions supported wholly or partially by the State may
provide instruction in safety education in all grades and include such
instruction in the courses of study regularly taught therein.

In this Section, "safety education" means and includes instruction in
the following:

1. automobile safety, including traffic regulations,

highway safety, and the consequences of alcohol consumption and the operation of a motor vehicle;

2. safety in the home, including safe gun storage;

3. safety in connection with recreational activities;

4. safety in and around school buildings;

5. safety in connection with vocational work or

training;

6. cardio-pulmonary resuscitation for students

enrolled in grades 9 through 11;

7. for students enrolled in grades 6 through 8,

cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and how to use an automated external defibrillator by watching a training video on those subjects; and

8. for students enrolled in prekindergarten through

grade 6, water safety that incorporates evidence-based water safety instructional materials and resources.

Such boards may make suitable provisions in the schools and
institutions under their jurisdiction for instruction in safety
education for not less than 16 hours during each school year.

The curriculum in all educator preparation programs approved by the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall contain instruction in safety education for teachers that is appropriate to the grade level of the educator license. This instruction may be by specific courses in safety education or may be incorporated in existing subjects taught in the educator preparation program.

(Source: P.A. 102-971, eff. 1-1-23; 103-567, eff. 12-8-23.)

105 ILCS 5/27-18

(105 ILCS 5/27-18) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-18)

Sec. 27-18.

Arbor and bird day.

The last Friday in April is designated as "Arbor and Bird Day," to be observed
throughout
the State as a day for planting trees, shrubs and vines about public
grounds, and as a day on which to hold appropriate exercises in the public
schools and elsewhere tending to show the value of trees and birds and the
necessity for their protection.

(Source: P.A. 92-85, eff. 7-12-01.)

105 ILCS 5/27-19

(105 ILCS 5/27-19) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-19)

Sec. 27-19.

Leif
Erickson day.

October 9, if a school day, otherwise the school day nearest such date,
is designated as Leif Erikson Day. On such day one-half hour may be devoted
in the schools to instruction and appropriate exercises relative to and in
commemoration of the life and history of Leif Erickson and the principles
and ideals he fostered.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

105 ILCS 5/27-20

(105 ILCS 5/27-20) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-20)

Sec. 27-20.

American Indian day.

The fourth Friday of September is designated "American Indian Day," to
be observed throughout the State as a day on which to hold appropriate
exercises in commemoration of the American Indians.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 31.)

105 ILCS 5/27-20.05

    (105 ILCS 5/27-20.05)
    Sec. 27-20.05. Native American history study.

(a) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, every public elementary school and high school social studies course pertaining to American history or government shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of the  Native American experience and Native American history within the Midwest and this State since time immemorial.  These events shall include the contributions of Native Americans in government and the arts, humanities, and sciences, as well as the contributions of Native Americans to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of their own nations and of the United States. The unit of instruction must describe large urban Native American populations in this State, including the history and experiences of contemporary Native Americans living in this State.  Instruction in grades 6 through 12 shall include the study of the genocide  of and discrimination against Native Americans, as well as tribal sovereignty, treaties made between tribal nations and the United States, and the circumstances around forced Native American relocation. This unit of instruction may be integrated as part of the unit of instruction required under Section 27-20.03 or 27-21 of this Code.

(b) The State Superintendent of Education may prepare and make available to all school boards instructional materials and professional development opportunities that may be used as guidelines for development of a unit of instruction under this Section. However, each school board shall itself determine the minimum amount of instructional time that qualifies as a unit of instruction satisfying the requirements of this Section.

(c) The regional superintendent of schools shall monitor a school district's compliance with this Section's curricular requirements during the regional superintendent's annual compliance visit and make recommendations for improvement, including professional development.

(Source: P.A. 103-422, eff. 8-4-23.)

105 ILCS 5/27-20.08

    (105 ILCS 5/27-20.08)
    Sec. 27-20.08. Media literacy.

(a) In this Section, "media literacy" means the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and communicate using a variety of objective forms, including, but not limited to, print, visual, audio, interactive, and digital texts.

(b) Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, every public high school shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction on media literacy. The unit of instruction shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following topics:

(1) Accessing information: Evaluating multiple media

platforms to better understand  the general landscape  and economics of the platforms, as well as issues regarding the trustworthiness of the source of information.

(2) Analyzing and evaluating media messages:

Deconstructing media representations according to the authors, target audience, techniques, agenda setting, stereotypes, and authenticity to distinguish fact from opinion.

(3) Creating media: Conveying a coherent message

using multimodal practices to a specific target audience. This may include, but is not limited to, writing blogs, composing songs, designing video games, producing podcasts, making videos, or coding a mobile or software application.

(4) Reflecting on media consumption: Assessing how

media affects the consumption of information and how it triggers emotions and behavior.

(5) Social responsibility and civics: Suggesting a

plan of action in the class, school, or community to engage others in a respectful, thoughtful, and inclusive dialogue over a specific issue using facts and reason.

(c) The State Board of Education shall determine how to prepare and make available instructional resources and professional learning opportunities for educators that may be used for the  development of a unit of instruction under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-55, eff. 7-9-21.)

105 ILCS 5/27-20.1

(105 ILCS 5/27-20.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-20.1)

Sec. 27-20.1.

Illinois Law Week.

The first full school week in May is designated "Illinois Law Week".
During that week, the public schools may devote appropriate time,
instruction, study, and exercises in the procedures of the legislature and
the enactment of laws, the courts and the administration of justice, the
police and the enforcement of law, citizen responsibilities, and other
principles and ideals to promote the importance of government under law in
the State.

(Source: P.A. 92-85, eff. 7-12-01.)

105 ILCS 5/27-20.2

(105 ILCS 5/27-20.2) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-20.2)

Sec. 27-20.2.

"Just Say No" Day.

May 15, 1987, and in each calendar
year thereafter, a school day in May designated by official proclamation of
the Governor, shall be known as "Just Say No" Day, to be observed
throughout the State as a day on which children and teenagers declare and
reaffirm their commitment to living a life free of drugs and alcohol abuse, and
as a day on which to hold and participate in appropriate special programs,
ceremonies and exercises, in the public schools and elsewhere, tending to
encourage children to lead a healthy lifestyle, aware and free of the
dangers of using drugs and alcohol abuse.

(Source: P.A. 85-386.)

105 ILCS 5/27-20.3

    (105 ILCS 5/27-20.3) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-20.3)
    Sec. 27-20.3. Holocaust and Genocide Study.

(a) Every public elementary school and high school shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of the Nazi atrocities of 1933 to 1945. This period in world history is known as the Holocaust, during which 6,000,000 Jews and millions of non-Jews were exterminated. One of the universal lessons of the Holocaust is that national, ethnic, racial, or religious hatred can overtake any nation or society, leading to calamitous consequences. To reinforce that lesson, such curriculum shall include an additional unit of instruction studying other acts of genocide across the globe. This unit shall include, but not be limited to, the Native American genocide in North America, the Armenian Genocide, the Famine-Genocide in Ukraine, and more recent atrocities in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Sudan. The studying of this material is a reaffirmation of the commitment of free peoples from all nations to never again permit the occurrence of another Holocaust and a recognition that crimes of genocide continue to be perpetrated across the globe as they have been in the past and to deter indifference to crimes against humanity and human suffering wherever they may occur.

(b) The State Superintendent of Education may prepare and make available to all school boards instructional materials which may be used as guidelines for development of a unit of instruction under this Section; provided, however, that each school board shall itself determine the minimum amount of instruction time which shall qualify as a unit of instruction satisfying the requirements of this Section.

Instructional materials that include the addition of content related to the Native American genocide in North America shall be prepared and made available to all school boards on the State Board of Education's Internet website no later than July 1, 2024. Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section, a school is not required to teach the additional content related to the Native American genocide in North America until instructional materials are made available on the State Board's Internet website.

Instructional materials related to the Native American genocide in North America shall be developed in consultation with members of the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative who are members of a federally recognized tribe, are documented descendants of Indigenous communities, or are other persons recognized as contributing community members by the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative and who currently reside in this State or their designees.

(Source: P.A. 103-422, eff. 8-4-23; 103-564, eff. 11-17-23.)

105 ILCS 5/27-20.4

(105 ILCS 5/27-20.4) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-20.4)

Sec. 27-20.4. Black History study.

Every public elementary school and
high school shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying
the events of Black History, including the history of the pre-enslavement of Black people from 3,000 BCE to AD 1619, the African slave trade, slavery in America, the study of the reasons why Black people came to be enslaved, the vestiges of slavery in this country, and the study of the American civil rights renaissance. These events shall include not only the
contributions made by individual African-Americans in government and in the
arts, humanities and sciences to the economic, cultural and political
development of the United States and Africa, but also the socio-economic
struggle which African-Americans experienced collectively in striving to
achieve fair and equal treatment under the laws of this nation. The
studying of this material shall constitute an affirmation by students of
their commitment to respect the dignity of all races and peoples and to
forever eschew every form of discrimination in their lives and careers.

The State Superintendent of Education may prepare and make available to
all school boards instructional materials, including those established by the Amistad Commission, which may be used as guidelines
for development of a unit of instruction under this Section; provided,
however, that each school board shall itself determine the minimum amount
of instruction time which shall qualify as a unit of instruction satisfying
the requirements of this Section.

A school may meet the requirements of this Section through an online program or course.
(Source: P.A. 100-634, eff. 1-1-19; 101-654, eff. 3-8-21.)

105 ILCS 5/27-20.5

(105 ILCS 5/27-20.5) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-20.5)

Sec. 27-20.5.

Study of the History of Women.

Every public elementary
school and high school shall include in its curriculum a unit of
instruction studying the events of the history of women in America.  These
events shall include not only the contributions made by individual women in
government, the arts, sciences, education, and in the economic, cultural,
and political development of Illinois and of the United States, but shall
also include a study of women's struggles to gain the right to vote and to
be treated equally as they strive to earn and occupy positions of merit in
our society.

The State Superintendent of Education may prepare and make available to
all school boards instructional materials that may be used as guidelines
for development of a unit of instruction under this Section.  Each school
board shall determine the minimum amount of instructional time that shall
qualify as a unit of instruction satisfying the requirements of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 86-1256.)

105 ILCS 5/27-20.6

(105 ILCS 5/27-20.6)

Sec. 27-20.6.

"Irish Famine" study.

Every public elementary school and high school may include in its
curriculum a unit of instruction studying the causes and effects of mass
starvation in mid-19th century Ireland.  This period in world history is known
as the "Irish Famine", in which millions of Irish died or emigrated.  The study
of this material is a reaffirmation of the commitment of free people of all
nations to eradicate the causes of famine that exist in the modern world.

The State Superintendent of Education may prepare and make available to all
school boards instructional materials that may be used as guidelines for
development of a unit of instruction under this Section; provided, however,
that each
school board shall itself determine the minimum amount of instruction time
that shall qualify as a unit of instruction satisfying the requirements of
this Section.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

105 ILCS 5/27-20.7

(105 ILCS 5/27-20.7)
Sec. 27-20.7. Cursive writing.

Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, public elementary schools shall offer at least one unit of instruction in cursive writing. School districts shall, by policy, determine at what grade level or levels students are to be offered cursive writing, provided that such instruction must be offered before students complete grade 5.

(Source: P.A. 100-548, eff. 7-1-18.)

105 ILCS 5/27-20.8

    (105 ILCS 5/27-20.8)
    Sec. 27-20.8. Asian American history study.

(a) Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, every public elementary school and high school shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Asian American history, including the history of Asian Americans in Illinois and the Midwest, as well as the contributions of Asian Americans toward advancing civil rights from the 19th century onward. These events shall include the contributions made by individual Asian Americans in government and the arts, humanities, and sciences, as well as the contributions of Asian American communities to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of the United States. The studying of this material shall constitute an affirmation by students of their commitment to respect the dignity of all races and peoples and to forever eschew every form of discrimination in their lives and careers.

(b) The State Superintendent of Education may prepare and make available to all school boards instructional materials, including those established by the Public Broadcasting Service, that may be used as guidelines for development of a unit of instruction under this Section. However, each school board shall itself determine the minimum amount of instructional time that qualifies as a unit of instruction satisfying the requirements of this Section.

(c) The regional superintendent of schools shall monitor a school district's compliance with this Section's curricular requirements during his or her annual compliance visit.

(d) A school may meet the requirements of this Section through an online program or course.

(Source: P.A. 102-44, eff. 1-1-22.)

105 ILCS 5/27-21

    (105 ILCS 5/27-21) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-21)
    Sec. 27-21. History of United States.

(a) History of the United States shall be taught in all public schools and in all other educational institutions in this State supported or maintained, in whole or in part, by public funds.

The teaching of history shall have as one of its objectives the imparting to pupils of a comprehensive idea of our democratic form of government and the principles for which our government stands as regards other nations, including the studying of the place of our government in world-wide movements and the leaders thereof, with particular stress upon the basic principles and ideals of our representative form of government.

The teaching of history shall include a study of the role and contributions of African Americans and other ethnic groups, including, but not restricted to, Native Americans, Polish, Lithuanian, German, Hungarian, Irish, Bohemian, Russian, Albanian, Italian, Czech, Slovak, French, Scots, Hispanics, Asian Americans, etc., in the history of this country and this State. To reinforce the study of the role and contributions of Hispanics, such curriculum shall include the study of the events related to the forceful removal and illegal deportation of Mexican-American U.S. citizens during the Great Depression.

The teaching of history shall also include teaching about Native American nations' sovereignty and self-determination, both historically and in the present day, with a focus on urban Native Americans.

In public schools only, the teaching of history shall include a study of the roles and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State.

The teaching of history also shall include a study of the role of labor unions and their interaction with government in achieving the goals of a mixed free enterprise system.

Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, the teaching of history must also include instruction on the history of Illinois.

The teaching of history shall include the contributions made to society by Americans of different faith practices, including, but not limited to, Native Americans, Muslim Americans, Jewish Americans, Christian Americans, Hindu Americans, Sikh Americans, Buddhist Americans, and any other collective community of faith that has shaped America.

(b) No pupils shall be graduated from the eighth grade of any public school unless the pupils have received instruction in the history of the United States as provided in this Section and give evidence of having a comprehensive knowledge thereof, which may be administered remotely.

(c) Instructional materials that include the addition of content related to Native Americans shall be prepared by the State Superintendent of Education and made available to all school boards on the State Board of Education's Internet website no later than July 1, 2024. These instructional materials may be used by school boards as guidelines for the development of instruction under this Section; however, each school board shall itself determine the minimum amount of instructional time for satisfying the requirements of this Section. Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, a school or other educational institution is not required to teach and a pupil is not required to learn the additional content related to Native Americans until instructional materials are made available on the State Board's Internet website.

Instructional materials related to Native Americans shall be developed in consultation with members of the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative who are members of a federally recognized tribe, are documented descendants of Indigenous communities, or are other persons recognized as contributing community members by the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative and who currently reside in this State.

(Source: P.A. 102-411, eff. 1-1-22; 103-422, eff. 8-4-23; 103-564, eff. 11-17-23.)

105 ILCS 5/27-22

(105 ILCS 5/27-22) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-22)

Sec. 27-22.

Required high school courses.

(a) (Blank).

    (b) (Blank).
    (c) (Blank).
    (d) (Blank).

(e) Through the 2023-2024 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil
entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully
complete all of the following courses:

(1) Four years of language arts.
(2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of

which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be

Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course. A mathematics course that includes geometry content may be offered as an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education course that prepares a student for a career readiness path.

(3.5) For pupils entering the 9th grade in the

2022-2023 school year and 2023-2024 school year, one year of a course that includes intensive instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and which may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(4) Two years of science.
(5) Two years of social studies, of which at least

one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2016-2017 school year and each school year thereafter, at least one semester must be  civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives.  Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process.  School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. Beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year, one semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course.

(6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)

foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, (D) vocational education, or (E) forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech course used to satisfy the course requirement under subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course requirement under this subdivision (6).

(e-5) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete all of the following courses:

(1) Four years of language arts.
(2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of

which must be English and the other of which may be English or any other subject. If applicable, writing-intensive courses may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be

Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science course. A mathematics course that includes geometry content may be offered as an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, or career and technical education course that prepares a student for a career readiness path.

(3.5) One year of a course that includes intensive

instruction in computer literacy, which may be English, social studies, or any other subject and which may be counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation requirements.

(4) Two years of laboratory science.
(5) Two years of social studies, of which at least

one year must be history of the United States or a combination of history of the United States and American government and at least one semester must be civics, which shall help young people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course content shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education. One semester, or part of one semester, may include a financial literacy course.

(6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)

foreign language, which shall be deemed to include American Sign Language, (D) vocational education, or (E) forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech course used to satisfy the course requirement under subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course requirement under this subdivision (6).

(e-10)     Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course requirements, successfully complete 2 years of foreign language courses, which may include American Sign Language. A pupil may choose a third year of foreign language to satisfy the requirement under subdivision (6) of subsection (e-5).

(f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform school districts of standards for writing-intensive coursework.

(f-5)   If a school district offers an Advanced Placement computer science course to high school students, then the school board must designate that course as equivalent to a high school mathematics course and must denote on the student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of this Section.

(g) Public Act 83-1082 does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade
in 1983-1984 school year and prior school years or to students
with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an individualized
education program.

Public Act 94-676 does not apply
to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year or a prior
school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is
determined by an individualized education program.

Subdivision (3.5) of subsection (e) does not apply
to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year or a prior
school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is
determined by an individualized education program.

Subsection (e-5) does not apply
to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2023-2024 school year or a prior
school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is
determined by an individualized education program. Subsection (e-10) does not apply
to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2027-2028 school year or a prior
school year or to students with disabilities whose course of study is
determined by an individualized education program.

(h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the provisions of
Section
27-22.05 of this Code and the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.

(i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.

(Source: P.A. 102-366, eff. 8-13-21; 102-551, eff. 1-1-22; 102-864, eff. 5-13-22; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)

105 ILCS 5/27-22.1

(105 ILCS 5/27-22.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-22.1)

Sec. 27-22.1.

Summer school - required instructional time.

Each
course offered for high school graduation credit during summer school or
any period of the calendar year not embraced within the regular school
year, whether or not such course must be successfully completed as a
prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma and whether or not such
course if successfully completed would be included in the minimum units of
credit required by regulation of the State Board
of Education for high school graduation, shall provide no fewer than 60 hours of
classroom instruction for the equivalent of one semester of high school
course credit.

(Source: P.A. 85-839.)

105 ILCS 5/27-22.2

(105 ILCS 5/27-22.2) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-22.2)

Sec. 27-22.2.

Vocational education elective.

Whenever the school board
of any school district which maintains grades 9 through 12 establishes a
list of courses from which secondary school students each must elect at
least one course, to be completed along with other course requirements as a
pre-requisite to receiving a high school diploma, that school board must
include on the list of such elective courses at least one course in
vocational education.

(Source: P.A. 84-1334; 84-1438.)

105 ILCS 5/27-22.3

(105 ILCS 5/27-22.3) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-22.3)

Sec. 27-22.3.

Volunteer service credit program.

(a) A school district may establish a volunteer service credit program
that enables secondary school students to earn credit towards graduation
through performance of community service. This community service may include
participation in the organization of a high school or community blood drive or
other blood donor
recruitment campaign. Any program so established shall
begin with students entering grade 9 in the 1993-1994 school year or
later.  The amount of credit given for program participation shall not
exceed that given for completion of one semester of language arts, math,
science or social studies.

(b) Any community service performed as part of a course for which credit
is given towards graduation shall not qualify under a volunteer service
credit program.  Any service for which a student is paid shall not qualify
under a volunteer service credit program.  Any community work assigned as a
disciplinary measure shall not qualify under a volunteer service credit
program.

(c) School districts that establish volunteer service credit programs
shall establish any necessary rules, regulations and procedures.

(Source: P.A. 93-547, eff. 8-19-03.)

105 ILCS 5/27-22.05

(105 ILCS 5/27-22.05)

Sec. 27-22.05. Required course substitute.

Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Article or this Code, a school board that maintains any of
grades 9 through 12 is authorized to adopt a policy under which
a student who is enrolled in any of those grades
may satisfy one or more high school course or graduation requirements,
including, but not limited to, any requirements under Sections 27-6 and 27-22, by successfully completing a registered apprenticeship program under rules adopted by the State Board of Education under Section 2-3.175 of this Code, or by
substituting for and successfully completing in place of the high school course
or graduation requirement a related vocational or technical education course.
A vocational or technical education course shall not qualify as a related
vocational or technical education course within the meaning of this Section
unless it contains at least 50% of the content of the required course or
graduation requirement for which it is substituted, as determined by the State
Board of Education in accordance with standards that it shall adopt and
uniformly apply for purposes of this Section.  No vocational or technical
education course may be substituted for a required course or graduation
requirement under any policy adopted by a school board as authorized in this
Section unless the pupil's parent or guardian first
requests the substitution and approves it in writing on forms that the school
district makes available for purposes of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 100-992, eff. 8-20-18; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

105 ILCS 5/27-22.10

    (105 ILCS 5/27-22.10)
    Sec. 27-22.10. Course credit for high school diploma.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, the school board of a school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 is authorized to adopt a policy under which a student enrolled in grade 7 or 8 who is enrolled in the unit school district or would be enrolled in the high school district upon completion of elementary school, whichever is applicable, may enroll in a course required under Section 27-22 of this Code, provided that the course is offered by the high school that the student would attend, and (i) the student participates in the course at the location of the high school, and the elementary student's enrollment in the course would not prevent a high school student from being able to enroll, or (ii) the student participates in the course where the student attends school as long as the course is taught by a teacher who holds a professional educator license issued under Article 21B of this Code and endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course.

(b) A school board that adopts a policy pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section must grant academic credit to an elementary school student who successfully completes the high school course, and that credit shall satisfy the requirements of Section 27-22 of this Code for that course.

(c) A school board must award high school course credit to a student transferring to its school district for any course that the student successfully completed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section, unless evidence about the course's rigor and content shows that it does not address the relevant Illinois Learning Standard at the level appropriate for the high school grade during which the course is usually taken, and that credit shall satisfy the requirements of Section 27-22 of this Code for that course.

(d) A student's grade in any course successfully completed under this Section must be included in his or her grade point average in accordance with the school board's policy for making that calculation.

(Source: P.A. 99-189, eff. 7-30-15.)

105 ILCS 5/27-23

(105 ILCS 5/27-23)

Sec. 27-23. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 95-793, eff. 1-1-09. Repealed by P.A. 96-734, eff. 8-25-09.)

105 ILCS 5/27-23.1

(105 ILCS 5/27-23.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-23.1)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-8)

Sec. 27-23.1. Parenting education.

(a) The State Board of Education must assist each school district that offers an evidence-based parenting education model. School districts may provide
instruction in parenting education for grades 6 through 12 and include such
instruction in the courses of study regularly taught therein.
School districts may give regular school credit for satisfactory completion
by the student of such courses.

As used in this subsection (a), "parenting education" means and includes
instruction in the following:

(1) Child growth and development, including prenatal

development.

(2) Childbirth and child care.

(3) Family structure, function and management.

(4) Prenatal and postnatal care for mothers and

infants.

(5) Prevention of child abuse.

(6) The physical, mental, emotional, social, economic

and psychological aspects of interpersonal and family relationships.

(7) Parenting skill development.

The State Board of Education shall assist those districts offering
parenting education instruction, upon request, in developing instructional
materials, training teachers, and establishing appropriate time allotments
for each of the areas included in such instruction.

School districts may offer parenting education courses during that period
of the day which is not part of the regular school day.  Residents of
the school district may enroll in such courses.  The school board may
establish fees and collect such charges as may be necessary for attendance
at such courses in an amount not to exceed the per capita cost of the
operation thereof, except that the board may waive all or part of such
charges if it determines that the individual is indigent or that the
educational needs of the individual requires his or her attendance at such courses.

(b) Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, from appropriations made for the purposes of this Section, the State Board of Education shall implement and administer a 7-year pilot program supporting the health and wellness student-learning requirement by utilizing a unit of instruction on parenting education in participating school districts that maintain grades 9 through 12, to be determined by the participating school districts. The program is encouraged to include, but is not be limited to, instruction on (i) family structure, function, and management, (ii) the prevention of child abuse, (iii) the physical, mental, emotional, social, economic, and psychological aspects of interpersonal and family relationships, and (iv) parenting education competency development that is aligned to the social and emotional learning standards of the student's grade level. Instruction under this subsection (b) may be included in the Comprehensive Health Education Program set forth under Section 3 of the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act.  The State Board of Education is authorized to make grants to school districts that apply to participate in the pilot program under this subsection (b). The State Board of Education shall by rule provide for the form of the application and criteria to be used and applied in selecting participating urban, suburban, and rural school districts. The provisions of this subsection (b), other than this sentence, are inoperative at the conclusion of the pilot program.

(Source: P.A. 103-8, eff. 6-7-23.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-175)