School Law

Authority on Curriculum?

• School code mandates courses for all students in Illinois.
• Board can set excess requirements

Class Size?

• School Board determines
• Mandatory bargaining subject

Graduation REquirements

• School board determines
• Must include core curriculum

COre Curriculum

• 4 yrs language arts
• 2 yrs writing intensive
• 3 yrs math
• 2 yrs science
• 2 yrs social science
• 1 year elective

Community Service Mandate?

• School Board can designate as a grad. requirement.
• Be sure it's not infringing free speech/religion.

Academic Credit for Proficiency?

• Consumer Ed
• Drivers Ed
• Foreign Language

Driver Ed

• All in-district students with 8 credit hours
• Any out of district resident age 15-21
• Over age 55 if there's space
• Dropout with waiver or in GED program

Sex, Disease, Animals

• Sex Ed - can't require if written objection
• No disease instruction if written objection
• Dissection - objector doesn't have to be excused but can be and assigned alternative

P.E. Exempt

• Excuse from doctor, parent, or guardian
• 11th-12th grade in athletics who want to take a class that would otherwise prevent graduating or affect college entrance
• Students who want to take a class that would otherwise prevent graduating or affect college entrance

The School Year

185 total; 176 pupil; 5 hours min

Testing and Reporting

• ISBE establishes standards and assesses student performance
• Prairie State
• PARCC?
• District must submit results

Grades

School board determines retention and promotion - along with remediation

textbooks

• SB has authority to adopt printed materials.
• Any member of public can inspect texts & materials.
• Must provide them free of charge if low income
• SB can also remove texts - with respect to 1st amendment (library/access to ideas)

Alternative Learning

• AL Opportunities Law (2001) - provide at risk students education and support services
• Operate individually or collaborate with other districts.
• Support services - rehab, counseling, mentoring, tutoring, physicals, child care, etc.
• AL for special ed. only if it's in IEP