IL SB3540

State Board of Education shall establish a pilot program allowing credit-deficient or non-traditional high school students to earn a vocational online high school diploma as an alternative to an in-residence diploma or equivalency certificate.

Eligible students may take online courses provided by an AdvancED/NCA/SACS accredited online career education program facilitated by State-licensed teachers while attending their public high school.

Five public high schools will be selected to participate in the pilot program, offering three types of career education programs: Type 1 (personal accountability skills), Type 2 (career orientation and exploration), and Type 3 (specific occupation competencies).

Online education delivery must be fully accredited, provided in a secure environment with controlled internet access, allow immediate enrollment, accommodate varying academic needs, and use performance-based instruction rather than time-based advancement.

State Board of Education must file a report with the General Assembly within 3 years of the pilot program's establishment evaluating results and recommending whether to expand the program to other public high schools.