SB 3541

Abstract

Amends the School Code. Requires the Board of Education for the Department of Juvenile Justice School District to establish a pilot program in which students who are credit deficient or in need of a non-traditional education are provided an online alternative to earning a high school diploma. Provides that the pilot program shall allow eligible students to take online courses provided by an online career education program and taught by teachers certified by the online career education program, which shall allow a student to earn enough credits to graduate or to receive a high school diploma and career certificate from the online career education program. Requires the Board to choose 2 facilities 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 the effect of students' mobility between juvenile justice education programs and school districts on the students' educational outcomes and whether the continuity of the students' educational outcomes and whether the continuity of the 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. Effective immediately.