SCH CD-ACADEMIC DIFFICULTIES

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall have the necessary powers to promote sound academic management and to continue operation of the public schools. Provides that the State Board, after proper investigation of the school or school district's academic condition, may certify that a school or district is in academic difficulty if (i) the school or district has been placed on academic early warning status and has failed to make adequate yearly progress for a third consecutive year; (ii) the school or district has been placed on academic watch status; (iii) the district has failed to produce an acceptable school improvement plan following placement of the school or district on academic early warning status or academic watch status; (iv) the school or district has failed to provide the required percentage of highly qualified teachers to its students for 2 consecutive years and is determined to be in need of intervention by the State Board; or (v) the school or district has been engaged in documented and substantiated acts of mismanagement in regard to hiring practices that has placed the academic integrity of the school or district in question or has placed students in physical danger and that is determined to be in need of intervention by the State Board. Under certain circumstances, provides for the development of an academic improvement plan, the appointment of an academic oversight panel, and the establishment of a school or district academic authority panel. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.