SB1944 Summary

• Establishes mandatory admission standards for Illinois public universities beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year requiring applicants to meet all five criteria: graduation from an approved high school, minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, ACT composite score of 28 or higher, agreement to major in science/technology/engineering/mathematics, and timely application submission.

• Applies automatic admission requirements to the University of Illinois and all state universities (Southern Illinois University, Chicago State, Eastern Illinois, Governors State, Illinois State, Northeastern Illinois, Northern Illinois, and Western Illinois).

• Guarantees admitted applicants placement in the specific college or department needed to fulfill their science/technology/engineering/mathematics major agreement, with universities determining how applicants must fulfill the agreement and consequences for failure to do so.

• Requires universities to review admitted applicants' records to determine if they need additional preparation for college-level work or would benefit from retention programs.

• Incorporates existing admission coursework requirements (15 units of high school courses across five categories) and maintains exceptions for applicants demonstrating equivalent knowledge through assessment or learning outcomes, including those from charter schools and educationally disadvantaged students in special assistance programs.