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New school laws continued _______________________________________________
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
learning conditions instrument that has been pre-
approved by the State Superintendent instead of the
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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