HB2683 Summary

• Replaces "adequate yearly progress" accountability system with a "balanced accountability measure" consisting of student performance (30%) and professional practice (70%) components, transitioning to 100% student performance by 2015-2016 school year.

• Establishes "Multiple Measure Index" and "Annual Measurable Objectives" for all Illinois public schools, measuring college and career readiness, growth, graduation rates, and equity gaps among student subgroups.

• Creates "priority districts" and "focus districts" designations based on lowest-performing schools and achievement gaps; priority districts must undergo needs assessments and receive State Board technical assistance and professional development.

• Modifies class size reduction grant eligibility to limit awards to priority schools maintaining kindergarten through 3rd grade classes with no more than 20 students per class (or 15 for pilot program).

• Expands school report cards to include balanced accountability measure scores, student outcomes, progress metrics, school environment data, and curriculum information for public comparison and evaluation.