IL HB5096

Amends the Illinois School Code by adding Section 27-20.08 to establish media literacy instruction in public high schools.

Defines "media literacy" as the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and communicate using various forms including print, visual, audio, interactive, and digital texts.

Permits every public high school to include a media literacy unit beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, covering analysis of media message purposes, explicit and implicit messages, values and viewpoints, media influence on ideas and behaviors, and importance of multiple information sources.

Authorizes the State Superintendent of Education to prepare and distribute instructional materials to school boards as guidelines for developing media literacy units.

Takes effect upon becoming law.