Signed by Governor JB Pritzker

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendment and pass a bill that amends the School Code regarding SAT English Language Proficiency requirements.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a charter school to negotiate and contract with a school district, the governing body of a State college or university or public community college, or any other public or for-profit or nonprofit private entity for (Sec. 2-3.64a-10):

• The use of a school building and grounds or any other real property or facilities that the charter school desires to use or convert for use as a charter school site;

• The operation and maintenance thereof; and

• The provision of any service, activity, or undertaking that the charter school is required to perform in order to carry out the terms of its charter.

• Establishes a Freedom School network to the supplement the learning taking place in public schools in the following ways (Section 75-10 4(b)):

• Create a 6-week program with an organization with a mission to improve the odds for students in poverty and that operates Freedom Schools in multiple states;

• Expand the teaching of African American history; 

• Develop leadership skills; and 

• Provide an understanding of the tenets of the Civil Rights movement 

• Requires that teachers in Freedom Schools be from the local community, with an emphasis on historically disadvantaged youth, including African American students and other students of color, so that (Sec. 2-3.186.b):

• These individuals have access to summer jobs and teaching experiences that serve as a long-term pipeline to educational careers and the hiring of minority educators in public schools;

• These individuals are elevated as content experts and community leaders; and

• Freedom School students have access to both mentorship and equitable educational resources.

• Requires the State Board of Education, in the establishment of Freedom Schools, to strive for authentic parent and community engagement during the development of Freedom Schools and their curriculum. Authentic parent and community engagement includes all of the following (Sec. 2-3.186.c):

• A shared responsibility that values equal partnerships between families and professionals;

• Ensuring that students and families who are directly impacted by Freedom School policies and practices are the decision-makers in the creation, design, implementation, and assessment of those policies and practices;

• Genuine respect for the culture and diversity of families; and

• Relationships that center around the goal of supporting family well-being and children's development and learning.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that amends the School Code regarding SAT English Language Proficiency requirements.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a charter school to negotiate and contract with a school district, the governing body of a State college or university or public community college, or any other public or for-profit or nonprofit private entity for (Sec. 2-3.64a-10):

• The use of a school building and grounds or any other real property or facilities that the charter school desires to use or convert for use as a charter school site;

• The operation and maintenance thereof; and

• The provision of any service, activity, or undertaking that the charter school is required to perform in order to carry out the terms of its charter.

• Establishes a Freedom School network to the supplement the learning taking place in public schools in the following ways (Section 75-10 4(b)):

• Create a 6-week program with an organization with a mission to improve the odds for students in poverty and that operates Freedom Schools in multiple states;

• Expand the teaching of African American history; 

• Develop leadership skills; and 

• Provide an understanding of the tenets of the Civil Rights movement 

• Requires that teachers in Freedom Schools be from the local community, with an emphasis on historically disadvantaged youth, including African American students and other students of color, so that (Sec. 2-3.186.b):

• These individuals have access to summer jobs and teaching experiences that serve as a long-term pipeline to educational careers and the hiring of minority educators in public schools;

• These individuals are elevated as content experts and community leaders; and

• Freedom School students have access to both mentorship and equitable educational resources.

• Requires the State Board of Education, in the establishment of Freedom Schools, to strive for authentic parent and community engagement during the development of Freedom Schools and their curriculum. Authentic parent and community engagement includes all of the following (Sec. 2-3.186.c):

• A shared responsibility that values equal partnerships between families and professionals;

• Ensuring that students and families who are directly impacted by Freedom School policies and practices are the decision-makers in the creation, design, implementation, and assessment of those policies and practices;

• Genuine respect for the culture and diversity of families; and

• Relationships that center around the goal of supporting family well-being and children's development and learning.

Full Bill Text