IL HB0306

State Board of Education establishes academic standards for state assessments with required public participation and local input opportunities.

Annual assessments mandated for grades 3-8 in English language arts and mathematics beginning 2014-2015 school year, and science assessments at one grade in grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 beginning 2017-2018 school year.

Parents or guardians may request in writing to excuse their child from taking a particular state assessment, with school districts prohibited from encouraging or discouraging opt-outs through grades, evaluations, or other negative actions.

Students excused from state assessments must be offered supervised instructional or enrichment opportunities during testing time, and school districts must communicate opt-out rights to parents once yearly before assessments begin.

Students not exempted for special education, limited English proficiency, or other qualifying reasons cannot receive a regular high school diploma unless they take the college and career ready determination assessment or are excused under opt-out provisions.