SB 3540

Abstract

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to establish a pilot program in which public high school students who are credit deficient or in need of a non-traditional education are provided an online alternative to earning a high school diploma while still enrolled in their public high school. Provides that the pilot program shall allow eligible high school students to take online courses provided by an online career education program and taught by teachers certified by the online career education program while those students are attending their public high school, which shall allow a student to earn enough credits to graduate from his or her high school or to receive a high school diploma and career certificate from the online career education program. Requires the State Board to choose 5 public high schools to participate in the pilot program and develop a plan for online career education programs participating in the pilot program. Sets forth classifications of career educational programming that the plan must address, and requires the plan to evaluate whether a student's education can be better addressed through an Internet-based delivery of education that meets certain requirements. Provides for a report to the General Assembly and rulemaking. Effective immediately.