IL SB3556

State Board of Education must develop a process allowing school districts to apply for an alternative assessment option under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for state accountability purposes.

State Board must adopt technical criteria under 20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(H) and 34 CFR 200.3 to evaluate proposed alternative assessments.

Assessments adopted by other states that meet federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act requirements and demonstrate alignment to Illinois Learning Standards through third-party study are automatically approved by the State Board.

State Board must reimburse school districts for all costs associated with administering the nationally recognized and locally selected ESSA assessment option.

Act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.