IL SB3644

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, all Illinois public high schools must include instruction on climate change and its impacts in grades 9-12 across science, agricultural, social science, and career/technical education courses.

The State Board of Education shall convene a working group of students, educators, and climate experts to identify, evaluate, and modify existing state learning standards related to climate change, and to develop new standards for affected subject areas.

The working group shall consider 16 specified issues and themes including human-caused climate change, disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities, climate mitigation and adaptation, career opportunities, and the scientific consensus on climate change.

The State Superintendent of Education shall prepare and provide instructional materials and professional development training to school boards as guidelines for developing climate change instruction units.