SCH CD-PRAIRIE STATE DIPLOMA

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to select and enter into a 5-year agreement with a private organization to operate and administer a board examination system that has been approved by an interstate compact on board examination systems and that includes (1) a coherent group of courses that collectively constitutes a core curriculum at the high school level; (2) a comprehensive syllabus for each course; (3) appropriate instructional and teaching materials for each course; (4) high quality examinations that are closely aligned with the course syllabus; (5) professional scoring of examinations; and (6) teacher education that is designed to train teachers to properly teach those courses. Sets forth the duties of the private organization and the State Board. Requires the private organization to develop the Prairie State diploma. Allows school districts and charter schools to choose to offer a Prairie State diploma beginning in the 2013-2014 school year; allows the Prairie State diploma to be awarded at the end of grade 10 or during or at the end of grade 11 or 12; and requires students who elect to pursue a Prairie State diploma to participate in the board examination system. Makes related changes in Sections concerning recognition standards, State assessments, school board powers, and required high school courses.