SCH CD-AT-RISK STUDENT-COUNCIL

Amends the School Code. Creates the Advisory Council on At-Risk Students within the State Board of Education. Sets forth provisions concerning the members of the Council, meetings of the Council, and administrative support to the Council. Requires the Council to accept and consider public comments when making its recommendations. Requires the Council to submit a report no later than December 15, 2016 to the State Superintendent of Education, the Governor, and the General Assembly addressing (1) the barriers to success present for at-risk students; (2) how much socio-economic status impacts academic and career achievement; (3) how at-risk students perform academically; (4) how at-risk students perform academically compared to students from higher socio-economic statuses; (5) what programs are shown to help at-risk students reach higher levels of academic and career achievement; (6) what specific curriculums help the academic success of at-risk students; (7) of curriculums that help at-risk students, which of these need to be implemented within the Illinois Learning Standards; (8) to what degree school districts teach cultural history, and how this can be improved; (9) specific policy recommendations; and (10) any other information that the Council determines will assist in the understanding of the barriers to success for or increase the academic performance of at-risk students. Requires the Council to submit annual reports thereafter. Effective immediately.