SB 2354

Abstract

Creates the Redefining Science in Elementary Schools Task Force Act. Sets forth the members of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall identify age-appropriate education for anatomy, physiology, and nutrition for each grade K-8. Provides that the Task Force shall use this knowledge to craft anatomy, physiology, and nutrition curriculum that allows students to learn about the human body. Provides that the curriculum shall be primarily focused on empowering students with the knowledge to adequately understand their own body and care for their own health and well-being throughout their lives. Provides that members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Task Force shall meet a minimum of 6 times, starting on August 1, 2023. Provides that by December 15, 2024, the Task Force shall produce a report for recommendations on grade K-8 anatomy, physiology, and nutrition and submit the report to the Governor, State Board of Education, and the General Assembly. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2025. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Changes the name of the Act to the Science in Elementary Schools Task Force. Changes the name of the Task Force to the Science in Elementary Schools Task Force Act. Changes the composition and duties of the Task Force. Specifies that meetings of the Task Force may take place in person, by video conference, or by telephone. Makes grammatical changes. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: New Act Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.196 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to create the Science in Elementary Schools Working Group. Provides for the membership of the Working Group. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative support to the Working Group. Provides that by June 1, 2024, the Working Group shall create a crosswalk and alignment of the current Illinois Learning Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards adopted by the State Board of Education and the Illinois Learning Standards for Science, with links to available resources so elementary teachers have access to high quality, age-appropriate, and free educational materials that are centered on anatomy, physiology and nutrition to empower students with the knowledge of their own bodies and to care for their own health and well-being throughout their lives. Provides that the Working Group shall focus its recommendations on how to empower students with the knowledge to adequately understand their own bodies and care for their own health and well-being throughout their lives, with the idea that science education is more human-centered. Provides that the Working Group shall additionally focus on connecting this human-centered science education with other sciences as students advance to other areas of their science education, such as chemistry, biology, and physics, taught at later grade levels. Provides that the Working Group shall make recommendations to the State Board of Education on updating its science standards by December 31, 2025. By December 31, 2030, the State Board of Education shall review and provide updates as appropriate to the crosswalk and alignment documents and elementary storylines. The State Board of Education shall conduct these reviews and provide these updates, at a minimum, of every 5 years thereafter. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the engrossed bill but changes the name of the Science in Elementary Schools Working Group to the Science in Elementary Schools Task Force. Effective immediately.