HB5588 Bill Summary

• Shifts accountability measures to align with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) instead of the previous No Child Left Behind framework, replacing references to NCLB throughout the School Code.

• Creates a Balanced Accountability Measure Committee with representatives from regional superintendents, principals, teachers' organizations, school boards, and administrators to advise the State Board of Education on accountability standards and review implementation annually.

• Removes the 30-70 split between student performance and professional practice components in the balanced accountability measure, consolidating accountability standards into the State Plan submitted to the federal Department of Education.

• Modifies assessment requirements to allow state assessments to be recognized rather than accepted by public institutions of higher education and clarifies accommodations for students with disabilities and English learners.

• Eliminates specific grant program structures for class size reduction in favor of flexible funding to reduce class sizes to evidence-based levels or support professional learning when facilities are inadequate.