Login |
|
|
Policy and Advocacy
The IAGC Policy and Advocacy Committee invites you to join our efforts in advocating for the academic needs of advanced learners and to promote and communicate policies that contribute to those needs.
Please look through the links below, join our next Policy and Advocacy Committee meeting, or volunteer to share our current advocacy efforts.
|
Contact our Policy & Advocacy Co-Chairs for More Information:
Julie Luck Jensen and Pamela Shaw and Deanna Markos |
|
.png)
Accelerated Placement Act Options
LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS
2025 BILLS DIRECTLY IMPACTING ADVANCED LEARNERS
IAGC's BILL SB1983 SCH CD-GIFTED & TALENTED
PASSED SENATE & HOUSE
Sen. Mary Edly-Allen
Amends the School Code. Removes language providing that a local program for the education of gifted and talented children may be approved for funding by the State Board of Education if funds for that purpose are available and if the local program submits an application for funds that includes a comprehensive plan. Removes language providing that the State Board of Education staff person in charge of educational programs for gifted and talented children shall be responsible for developing an approval process for educational programs for gifted and talented children.
2026- BILLS TO WATCH
SB 3533 - SCHCD-TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL STUDNT (IAGC Bill)
Amends the School Code. In a provision concerning twice-exceptional children, changes references from "children" to "students" and defines "twice-exceptional student". Provides that in the development of an individualized education program (IEP) or federal Section 504 plan for a twice-exceptional student, if the student's ability or achievement indicates that the student would benefit from advanced academic programs, then those abilities or achievement levels shall be recognized and addressed in the student's IEP or Section 504 plan and be reflected in the individualized services, goals, accommodations, and objectives for the student, while continuing to provide appropriate services and support for the student's disabilities in all educational settings. Sets forth what the services, goals, objectives, accommodations, and best practices for identifying and addressing the educational and related needs of a twice-exceptional student may include. Effective immediately.
-
Sen. Adriane Johnson
HB 4582 SCHCD-TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL STUDNT (IAGC Bill)
Amends the School Code. In a provision concerning twice-exceptional children, changes references from "children" to "students" and defines "twice-exceptional student". Provides that in the development of an individualized education program (IEP) or federal Section 504 plan for a twice-exceptional student, if the student's ability or achievement indicates that the student would benefit from advanced academic programs, then those abilities or achievement levels shall be recognized and addressed in the student's IEP or Section 504 plan and be reflected in the individualized services, goals, accommodations, and objectives for the student, while continuing to provide appropriate services and support for the student's disabilities in all educational settings. Sets forth what the services, goals, objectives, accommodations, and best practices for identifying and addressing the educational and related needs of a twice-exceptional student may include. Effective immediately.
-
Rep. Michelle Mussman
-
Last Action: 2/3/2026 Referred to Rules Committee
HJR 29 ISBE-GIFTED LEARNERS (IAGC House Joint Resolution)
Directs the Professional Review Panel and the Illinois State Board of Education to conduct the analysis and financial modeling required to evaluate the implications of including other categories of advanced learners in addition to gifted as adequacy factors beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
-
Rep. Daniel Didech - William "Will" Davis
-
(Sen. Adriane Johnson)
-
Last Action: Senate: Referred to Assignments 5/27/2025
HB 4239 SCH CD-HIGH SCH COURSE CREDIT (Non- IAGC, but Advanced Learning related)
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that the school board of a school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 is authorized to adopt a policy under which a student enrolled in grade 7 or 8 who is enrolled in the unit school district or would be enrolled in the high school district upon completion of elementary school may enroll in a required high school course, provided that the course is offered by the high school that the student would attend and the student participates in the course where the student attends school as long as the course is taught by a teacher who holds a professional educator license and endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course (instead of just as long as the course is taught by a teacher who holds a professional educator license and endorsed for the grade level and content area of the course).
-
Rep. Janet Yang Rohr
-
Last Action: 1/14/2026 - House: Referred to Rules Committee
PAST POLICY & ADVOCACY EFFORTS
2024 IAGC Policy & Advocacy SB3164 SCH CD-ASSESSMENT RESTRICTION Sponsored by Sen. Mary Edly-Allen PASSED by the Senate and the House SIGNED into law by Gov. Pritzker
HB5250 SCH CD-ACCELERATED PLACEMENT Sponsored by Rep. Carol Ammons PASSED by the House and the Senate SIGNED into law by Gov. Pritzker
|
|
2023 IAGC Policy & Advocacy Senate Bill SB2337 103rd General Assembly PASSED by the Senate and the House Signed into Law by the Governor! Amends the Gifted and Talented Children and Children Eligible for Accelerated Placement Article of the School Code. THANK YOU to the Sponsors of SB2337:
|
Senator Mary Edly Allen and Policy & Advocacy Co-Chair Pam Shaw Representative Syed, P&A Co-Chair Pam Shaw, Advisor Phil Milsk |
