SB3417 - Education Empowerment Act

• Creates the Education Empowerment Act to grant school districts greater autonomy by removing legal and regulatory obstacles that hinder student academic performance and whole-child development.

• Requires school districts seeking empowerment area designation to establish an empowerment committee with representatives from administrators, teachers, staff, parents, students, community members, and regional superintendents to develop a comprehensive improvement plan.

• Empowerment area plans must include measurable goals in seven areas: kindergarten readiness assessments, third-grade reading proficiency, fifth-grade math achievement, ninth-grade graduation tracking, high school college/career readiness, teacher/leader quality, and safe learning environments.

• Plans can request exemptions from specific state statutory or regulatory mandates in Chapter 105 (School Code) to implement alternative instructional and administrative practices, but cannot waive federal Every Student Succeeds Act compliance, special education requirements, civil rights protections, or health/safety standards.

• Approved plans receive 2-year designations (renewable) or 4-year designations for high-achieving districts, subject to regional superintendent review and State Superintendent approval; designation can be revoked for failure to meet goals or comply with applicable law.