HB5277 Summary

• Amends the School Code to enhance school report cards by requiring reporting on student participation in gifted education programs, accelerated placement, and advanced academic programs, disaggregated by student demographics including race/ethnicity and income level.

• Increases funding for gifted and advanced academic program investments from $40 to $90 per kindergarten through grade 12 student in the Evidence-Based Funding formula.

• Requires school districts to develop plans by November 1, 2022 to expand access to accelerated placement programs, incorporating evidence-based practices such as universal screening, multiple assessment tools, enrichment opportunities, and professional development in gifted education.

• Mandates automatic enrollment in advanced coursework for high school students who meet or exceed State standards on assessments, beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, with parent option to select alternative coursework.

• Adds gifted education expertise requirement to the Professional Review Panel that oversees Evidence-Based Funding implementation and directs the Panel to review practices reducing achievement gaps in gifted and advanced academic programming for diverse student populations.