SB2941 Summary

• Establishes a competency-based high school graduation requirements pilot program administered by the State Superintendent of Education in consultation with Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE).

• School districts can select which graduation requirements to replace with competency-based learning systems, requiring students to demonstrate mastery of competencies including adaptive competencies, with multiple assessment measures and opportunities to earn credit through non-traditional coursework like Supervised Career Development Experiences.

• Limits initial pilot program cohorts to 12 school districts each for the first 2 years, then 15 districts per year thereafter; allows collaborative applications from multiple districts counted as one application; requires partnership with community colleges and higher education institutions.

• Creates a statewide panel to define transitional mathematics competencies aligned to three postsecondary pathways: STEM (calculus-based), Technical (career-focused), and Quantitative Literacy/Statistics; guarantees placement into appropriate college-level math courses upon successful completion.

• Requires high schools delivering transitional mathematics instruction to partner with community colleges through partnership agreements addressing curriculum development, placement guarantees, dual enrollment availability, and professional development for instructors.