Leadership Matters August 2014

New school laws continued _______________________________________________

learning conditions instrument that has been pre- approved by the State Superintendent instead of the

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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Graduation Requirements-Computer Science (HB3695) This bill was sent to the governor in June and, if signed, would allow one of the three years of mathematics that a student must successfully complete as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma to be an Advanced Placement (AP) computer science course as long as the student has completed Algebra II. Teacher Evaluation Groupings and Survey of Learning Conditions (HB 5546) This measure became effective on July 1 and provides for a limited recall for certain tenured teachers who were in Group 2 and part of a reduction in force (RIF) because they had received a “Needs Improvement” on their latest teacher evaluation provided the other evaluation used in the RIF procedure was a “Satisfactory,” “Proficient,” or “Excellent” rating. This legislation also allows a school district to use at its own expense a district-wide alternate survey of

5Essentials Survey being used by ISBE. Physical Fitness Assessment (HB 5397)

This bill became effective on August 4. Even if signed, it would not go into effect until the 2016-17 school year. It requires all public schools to use a physical fitness assessment and report the fitness information to ISBE. It defines the assessment as measuring aerobic capacity, body composition, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility. The assessment would apply to students in grades 3-12. The bill also would create a task force appointed by the State Superintendent to make recommendations on validating the assessments, the frequency of reports to ISBE and minimum fitness indicators. Charter Schools Requirements (HB 4527) This bill became effective on June 9 and requires a charter school to comply with all federal and state laws and rules applicable to public schools that pertain to special education and the instruction of English Language Learners.

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