Illinois - 2011-2012 - HB 287 - Limits on Grade Retention

Amends the School Code. Creates the Committee on the Retention of Students. Provides that, prior to retention in a grade, a school district must submit the names of all students determined by the school district to not qualify for promotion to the next higher grade and the reason for that determination. Provides that the Committee shall review the school district’s decision to retain with respect to each student and shall make the final decision regarding whether or not to retain a particular student. Provides that the Committee may vote to prohibit a school district from retaining a student if the Committee determines that the student is being retained due to inadequate instruction, resources, or facilities provided by the school district or due to the student having an undiagnosed learning disability. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules to implement these provisions. Amends the Children with Disabilities Article to provide that a child with a learning disability must not be denied promotion, graduation, or a general diploma on the basis of failing a minimal competency test when such failure can be directly related to the disabling condition of the student. Effective immediately.

  • History: 1/27/2011 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Mary E. Flowers 1/28/2011 House First Reading 1/28/2011 House Referred to Rules Committee, 2/8/2011 House Assigned to Elementary & Secondary Education Committee, 3/14/2011 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Mary E. Flowers, Referred to Rules Committee, 3/16/2011 House House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Elementary & Secondary Education Committee, 3/17/2011: House Recommends Do Pass Subcommittee/ Elementary & Secondary Education Committee; Remains in Elementary & Secondary Education Committee: House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Elementary & Secondary Education Committee; by Voice Vote; Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Elementary & Secondary Education Committee; Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate, 4/6/2011 House Second Reading - Short Debate, Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate, 4/7/2011 House Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 110-0, 4/8/2011 Senate First Reading, Referred to Assignments, 4/27/2011 Senate Assigned to Education, 5/2/2011 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. William Delgado, Referred to Assignments, 5/3/2011 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Education, 5/10/2011 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Held in Education, 5/13/2011 Senate Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
  • Status: <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=287&GAID=11&GA=97&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=55317&SessionID=84">Track Bill</a>, Passed House, Senate: In Committee (Assignments), Died in Committee - Legislature Adjourned 5/31/12
  • Sponsor: <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/house/rep.asp?GA=97&MemberID=1594">Mary Flowers</a>, <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?MemberID=1717">William Delgado (S)</a>
  • Bill Text: <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=84&GA=97&DocTypeId=HB&DocNum=287&GAID=11&LegID=55317&SpecSess=&Session=">As Introduced</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/wIJmw">House Amendment #1</a>, <a href="http://goo.gl/xlzaA">Senate Amendment 001</a>
  • Hearings: Education Hearing May 10 2011 4:00PM Capitol 409 Springfield, IL Elementary & Secondary Education Committee Hearing Mar 16 2011 8:00AM Capitol Building Room 114 Springfield, IL
  • Position: DDAI Strongly supports this bill. It implements important protections for students with learning disabilities.

1 thought on “Illinois - 2011-2012 - HB 287 - Limits on Grade Retention”

  1. House Committee Amendment No. 1

    Deletes reference to:
    105 ILCS 5/22-65 new

    Adds reference to:
    105 ILCS 5/10-20.53 new
    105 ILCS 5/34-18.45 new

    Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board may create a committee on the retention of students, consisting of the district superintendent or his or her designee, a district administrator who directs student instruction and curriculum, a principal, and a teacher. Provides that prior to retention in a grade, a school may submit, by a date as set by the committee, the names of all students determined by the school to not qualify for promotion to the next higher grade and the reason for that determination. Requires the committee to review the school’s decision to retain with respect to each student and make a final decision regarding whether or not to retain a particular student. Requires the committee to take into consideration the performance evaluation of the student’s teacher or teachers. Provides that the committee may vote to prohibit the school district from retaining the student if the committee determines that the student is being retained due to inadequate instruction, resources, or facilities provided by the school district or due to the student having an undiagnosed learning disability. Amends the Children with Disabilities Article to provide that a child with a learning disability must not be denied promotion, graduation, or a general diploma on the basis of failing a minimal competency test when such failure can be directly related to the disabling condition of the student. Effective immediately.

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