HB3328 Summary

• Allows community college boards of trustees to establish and offer a bachelor of applied science degree in early childhood education with endorsements in early childhood education and early childhood special education, subject to approval by the State Board and Board of Higher Education.

• Requires community colleges seeking approval to demonstrate labor market need, student interest, adequate faculty and financial resources, quality curriculum aligned with state requirements, and how the program fills gaps in existing early childhood education degree programs.

• Mandates all other Illinois institutions of higher education be notified of proposed programs and given opportunity to comment, with the proposing community college allowed to respond to comments.

• Requires the State Board to conduct a statewide evaluation of all programs established under this Section by July 1, 2030, reporting results to legislative and executive branch leadership.

• Prohibits the Board of Higher Education and State Board from authorizing community college baccalaureate programs in any other field of study until the early childhood education program evaluation is published.