Comments: IL HB2878 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly

Illinois House Bill 2878 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Creates the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to create and establish the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity. Provides that the purpose of the Consortium is to serve the needs of the incumbent early childhood workforce and the employers of early childhood educators and to advance racial equity by streamlining, coordinating, and improving the accessibility to degree completion pathways at institutions of higher education. Requires all public universities and community colleges in this State that offer early childhood programs to participate in the Consortium; sets forth membership requirements. Contains provisions concerning the functions of the Consortium. Establishes an advisory committee; sets forth provisions concerning the membership of the advisory committee and meeting requirements. Contains provisions concerning reporting, goals and metrics, affordability, and rulemaking. Amends the Transitions in Education Act. Provides that a community college student who earns the Department of Human Services' Gateways ECE Credential Level 4 as part of an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in early childhood education that is consistent with the degree requirements established by the Illinois Community College Board and the Board of Higher Education, as appropriate, is deemed eligible for transfer into an early childhood education baccalaureate program at a public university if the student meets specified requirements. Requires a public university to grant junior level status in an early childhood education program to any community college student who has graduated from an Illinois community college with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in early childhood education. Sets forth provisions concerning the transfer of coursework credit. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-07-28 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0174 [HB2878 Detail]

Text: Latest bill text (Chaptered) [HTML]