Education

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides the additional requirement of successfully completing at least one foundational course on English learners for a person to be issued a Professional Educator License. Effective January 1, 2028.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, every public high school shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction on civic engagement. Provides that, as part of the unit of instruction, students must attend an open meeting of the governing body of a special district, the corporate authorities of a municipality, the township board of a township, the county board of a county, or any similar governing or legislating body of a unit of government. Provides that, if physical attendance at such a meeting is not feasible, then attendance may be virtual.

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Board of Higher Education to meet its operational expenses for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, as follows: General Funds $60,637,601; Other State Funds $22,525,000; Federal Funds $5,500,000; Total $88,662,601.

Amends the School Code. Provides that all mandated categorical programs under the Code and the School Breakfast and Lunch Program Act shall be funded at 100% of their required levels as calculated by the State Board of Education, without proration. Provides that, beginning with Fiscal Year 2027, the General Assembly shall appropriate funds for each fiscal year sufficient to fully reimburse school districts for all services and costs under mandated categorical programs, as required under the Code. Requires the State Board to annually provide to the General Assembly, no later than May 1 of each year, the appropriation levels needed to fully fund mandated categorical grant funding for the upcoming fiscal year. With respect to the evidence-based funding formula, provides that the State shall increase annual new State funds to ensure full funding of the formula beginning with Fiscal Year 2027. Requires the State Board to annually determine and report the amount necessary to bring all Tier 1 and Tier 2 organizational units to 100% of their adequacy targets, and requires the General Assembly to appropriate sufficient funds to meet this requirement no later than Fiscal Year 2027. Provides that no organizational unit may receive less than the amount determined under the formula in any fiscal year. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $100,000,000 to the State Board of Education for equal distribution among charter schools authorized by the State Board of Education for school expenses. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that as part of the required minimum 4-hour professional development leadership training, each voting member of a board of trustees shall complete a minimum of one hour of training covering the topic of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall develop an educational document explaining, at a minimum, the values of good indoor air quality and shall supply the document to school districts. Provides that, subject to funding from the State Board, a school district shall ensure that all active classrooms are equipped with an air quality monitor.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Allows an institution of higher education approved to offer educator preparation programs to pursue accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Provides that an institution of higher education that receives and retains CAEP accreditation may forgo the State reauthorization process. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules for the reauthorization of a CAEP-accredited institution of higher education.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, shall develop an educational document explaining, at a minimum, the values of good indoor air quality and shall supply the document to school districts. Provides that, subject to funding from the State Board, a school district shall ensure that all active classrooms are equipped with an air quality monitor.

Appropriates $20,000,000 to the State Board of Education for the purpose of providing a grant for to Afterschool for Children and Teens Now (ACT Now) Coalition to support full-service community schools. Effective July 1, 2026.