Bill Text: IL SB2374 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Enrolled

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall establish a competitive grant program to support the development or enhancement of computer science programs in the K-12 schools. Provides that eligible entities are regional offices of education, intermediate service centers, State higher education institutions, schools designated as laboratory schools, and school districts. Provides that approved entities shall be responsible for ensuring appropriate facilities are available and educators are appropriately trained on the use of any technologies or devices acquired for the purposes of the grant. Sets forth requirements to use the grant, renewal provisions, and rulemaking.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-30 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0264 [SB2374 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SB2374-Enrolled.html

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AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section
2-3.196 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/2-3.196 new)
Sec. 2-3.196. Computer Science Equity Grant Program.
(a) Subject to appropriation, the State Board shall
establish a competitive grant program to support the
development or enhancement of computer science programs in the
K-12 schools. Eligible entities are regional offices of
education, intermediate service centers, State higher
education institutions, schools designated as laboratory
schools, and school districts. Approved entities shall be
responsible for ensuring that appropriate facilities are
available and educators are appropriately trained on the use
of any technologies or devices acquired for the purposes of
the grant.
(b) Computer Science Equity Grant Program funds shall be
used in the following manner consistent with application
requirements established by the State Board of Education as
provided in this Article:
(1) to expand learning opportunities in grades K-12 to

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ensure that all students have access to computer science
coursework that is aligned to rigorous State standards and
emerging labor market needs;
(2) to train and retrain teachers of grades K-12 to be
more proficient in the teaching of computer science by
providing professional development opportunities;
(3) to supply classrooms with materials and equipment
related to the teaching and learning of computer science;
and
(4) to more effectively recruit and better serve K-12
learners who are underrepresented in the computer science
labor market for enrollment in computer science
coursework.
(c) Computer Science Equity Grant Program funds shall be
made available to each eligible entity upon completion of an
application process that is consistent with rules established
by the State Board of Education. The application shall include
the planned use of the funds; identification of need for the
funds that is supported by local, regional, and state data; a
plan for long-term sustainability; and a long-term plan for
continuous improvement.
(d) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules as may
be necessary to implement the provision of this Article,
including, but not limited to, the identification of
additional prioritization areas for each competitive grant
application cycle that are within the scope of the authorized

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uses. Priority consideration for all applications will be
given for proposals that intend to serve a majority of
learners or teachers with gender or racial/ethnic identities
that are underrepresented in the computer science labor
market.
(e) Up to 2 renewals of the grant will be allowed,
providing the entity awarded satisfactorily completes
programmatic reporting and meets program objectives
commensurate with application requirements set forth by the
State Board of Education.
(f) Grants under the Computer Science Equity Grant Program
and funding levels for satisfactory applications may be
prorated according to the amount appropriated.