SB1944 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB098 06657 NHT 40512 b

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
SB1944

Introduced 2/15/2013, by Sen. Chapin Rose

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 205/9.07	from Ch. 144, par. 189.07
110 ILCS 305/8	from Ch. 144, par. 28
110 ILCS 520/8e	from Ch. 144, par. 658e
110 ILCS 660/5-85
110 ILCS 665/10-85
110 ILCS 670/15-85
110 ILCS 675/20-85
110 ILCS 680/25-85
110 ILCS 685/30-85
110 ILCS 690/35-85

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of the public universities in Illinois. Provides that, beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, a university must admit an applicant for admission to the university as an undergraduate student if the applicant (1) will graduate from an approved high school in the school year immediately preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission; (2) has a high school cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, at the time of application; (3) has received a composite score of 28 or higher on the ACT national college admissions examination; (4) enters into an agreement with the university that he or she will major in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field; and (5) submits the application before the expiration of any application filing deadline established by the university. Makes related changes, including in the Board of Higher Education Act.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended by changing Section 9.07 as follows:

(110 ILCS 205/9.07) (from Ch. 144, par. 189.07)

Sec. 9.07. Admission standards.

(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b), to establish minimum admission standards for public community colleges, colleges and state universities. However, notwithstanding any other provision of this Section or any other law of this State, the minimum admission standards established by the Board shall not directly or indirectly authorize or require a State college or university to discriminate in the admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Admission standards for out-of-state students may be higher than for Illinois residents.

The minimum admission standards for State universities shall incorporate the provisions of subsection (e) of Section 8 of the University of Illinois Act, subsection (d) of Section 8e of the Southern Illinois University Management Act, subsection (d) of Section 5-85 of the Chicago State University Law, subsection (d) of Section 10-85 of the Eastern Illinois University Law, subsection (d) of Section 15-85 of the Governors State University Law, subsection (d) of Section 20-85 of the Illinois State University Law, subsection (d) of Section 25-85 of the Northeastern Illinois University Law, subsection (d) of Section 30-85 of the Northern Illinois University Law, and subsection (d) of Section 35-85 of the Western Illinois University Law.

(b) Implementation of the new statewide minimum admission requirements and standards for public colleges and universities in Illinois established and announced by the Board in December, 1985 shall be deferred as provided in this subsection. The Board shall not attempt to implement or otherwise effect adoption and establishment of those minimum admission requirements and standards in any public community college, college or State university prior to the fall of 1993, and no public community college, college or State university shall be under any duty or obligation to implement, establish or otherwise apply those minimum admission requirements and standards to any entering freshmen prior to the fall of 1993. The Board of Higher Education shall provide the State Superintendent of Education, on or before January 1, 1990, descriptions of course content, and such other criteria as are necessary to determine and certify whether all school districts maintaining grades 9-12 are offering courses which satisfy the minimum admission requirements and standards established and announced by the Board. In addition, there shall be established a 9 member committee composed of 3 members selected by the Board of Higher Education, 3 members selected by the State Superintendent of Education and 3 members selected by the President of the Illinois Vocational Association. The committee shall be appointed within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the committee to identify and develop courses and curricula in the vocational education area which meet the minimum admission requirements and standards to be established and implemented under this Section. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the Executive Director of the Board of Higher Education within 10 days after the committee is appointed. At its first meeting the committee shall organize and elect a chairperson. The committee's report shall be prepared and submitted by the committee to the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois State Board of Education and the General Assembly by April 1, 1989.

(c) By March 1, 1980, the Boards shall develop guidelines which: (1) place the emphasis on postsecondary remedial programs at Public Community Colleges and (2) reduces the role of the state universities in offering remedial programs. By June 30, 1981, the Board shall report to the General Assembly the progress made toward this transition in the emphasis on remedial programs at the postsecondary level and any legislative action that it deems appropriate. Under the guidelines, if a State university determines that a student needs remedial coursework, then the university must require that the student complete the remedial coursework before pursuing his or her major course of study.

(Source: P.A. 95-272, eff. 8-17-07.)

Section 10. The University of Illinois Act is amended by changing Section 8 as follows:

(110 ILCS 305/8) (from Ch. 144, par. 29)

Sec. 8. Admissions.

(a) (Blank).

(b) Commencing In addition, commencing in the fall of 1993, no new student shall then or thereafter be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, vocational education or art;

(2) except that institutions may admit individual applicants if the institution determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Institutions may also admit 1) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and 2) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of the 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(c) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (b).

(d) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take the high school level General Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to admission.

(e) Beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, the University must admit an applicant for admission to the University as an undergraduate student if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) He or she will graduate from an approved high school, as defined in the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, in the school year immediately preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission.

(2) He or she has a high school cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, at the time of application.

(3) He or she has received a composite score of 28 or higher on the ACT national college admissions examination.

(4) He or she enters into an agreement with the University that he or she will major in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field.

(5) He or she submits the application before the expiration of any application filing deadline established by the University.

Admission to the University under this subsection (e) entitles the applicant to be admitted into a particular college of study or department at the University to fulfill the agreement entered into under item (5) of this subsection (e). The Board of Trustees shall determine in what manner an applicant must fulfill the agreement, what constitutes a failure to fulfill the agreement, and what the consequences are for failing to fulfill the agreement.

After admitting an applicant under this subsection (e), the University shall review the applicant's record and any other factors the University considers appropriate to determine whether the applicant may require additional preparation for college-level work or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program.

(Source: P.A. 96-203, eff. 8-10-09; 96-843, eff. 6-1-10; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

Section 15. The Southern Illinois University Management Act is amended by changing Section 8e as follows:

(110 ILCS 520/8e) (from Ch. 144, par. 658e)

Sec. 8e. Admissions.

(a) Commencing in the fall of 1993, no new student shall then or thereafter be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, vocational education or art;

(2) except that institutions may admit individual applicants if the institution determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Institutions may also admit 1) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and 2) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take the high school level General Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) Beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, the University must admit an applicant for admission to the University as an undergraduate student if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) He or she will graduate from an approved high school, as defined in the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, in the school year immediately preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission.

(2) He or she has a high school cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, at the time of application.

(3) He or she has received a composite score of 28 or higher on the ACT national college admissions examination.

(4) He or she enters into an agreement with the University that he or she will major in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field.

(5) He or she submits the application before the expiration of any application filing deadline established by the University.

Admission to the University under this subsection (d) entitles the applicant to be admitted into a particular college of study or department at the University to fulfill the agreement entered into under item (5) of this subsection (d). The Board shall determine in what manner an applicant must fulfill the agreement, what constitutes a failure to fulfill the agreement, and what the consequences are for failing to fulfill the agreement.

After admitting an applicant under this subsection (d), the University shall review the applicant's record and any other factors the University considers appropriate to determine whether the applicant may require additional preparation for college-level work or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program.

(Source: P.A. 96-843, eff. 6-1-10; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

Section 20. The Chicago State University Law is amended by changing Section 5-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 660/5-85)

Sec. 5-85. Admission requirements.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Chicago State University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, vocational education or art;

(2) except that Chicago State University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Chicago State University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Chicago State University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take the high school level General Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) Beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, the University must admit an applicant for admission to the University as an undergraduate student if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) He or she will graduate from an approved high school, as defined in the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, in the school year immediately preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission.

(2) He or she has a high school cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, at the time of application.

(3) He or she has received a composite score of 28 or higher on the ACT national college admissions examination.

(4) He or she enters into an agreement with the University that he or she will major in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field.

(5) He or she submits the application before the expiration of any application filing deadline established by the University.

Admission to the University under this subsection (d) entitles the applicant to be admitted into a particular college of study or department at the University to fulfill the agreement entered into under item (5) of this subsection (d). The Board shall determine in what manner an applicant must fulfill the agreement, what constitutes a failure to fulfill the agreement, and what the consequences are for failing to fulfill the agreement.

After admitting an applicant under this subsection (d), the University shall review the applicant's record and any other factors the University considers appropriate to determine whether the applicant may require additional preparation for college-level work or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program.

(Source: P.A. 96-843, eff. 6-1-10; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

Section 25. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended by changing Section 10-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 665/10-85)

Sec. 10-85. Admission requirements.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Eastern Illinois University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, vocational education or art;

(2) except that Eastern Illinois University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Eastern Illinois University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Eastern Illinois University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take the high school level General Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) Beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, the University must admit an applicant for admission to the University as an undergraduate student if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) He or she will graduate from an approved high school, as defined in the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, in the school year immediately preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission.

(2) He or she has a high school cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, at the time of application.

(3) He or she has received a composite score of 28 or higher on the ACT national college admissions examination.

(4) He or she enters into an agreement with the University that he or she will major in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field.

(5) He or she submits the application before the expiration of any application filing deadline established by the University.

Admission to the University under this subsection (d) entitles the applicant to be admitted into a particular college of study or department at the University to fulfill the agreement entered into under item (5) of this subsection (d). The Board shall determine in what manner an applicant must fulfill the agreement, what constitutes a failure to fulfill the agreement, and what the consequences are for failing to fulfill the agreement.

After admitting an applicant under this subsection (d), the University shall review the applicant's record and any other factors the University considers appropriate to determine whether the applicant may require additional preparation for college-level work or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program.

(Source: P.A. 96-843, eff. 6-1-10; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

Section 30. The Governors State University Law is amended by changing Section 15-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 670/15-85)

Sec. 15-85. Admission requirements.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Governors State University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, vocational education or art;

(2) except that Governors State University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Governors State University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Governors State University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take the high school level General Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) Beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, the University must admit an applicant for admission to the University as an undergraduate student if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) He or she will graduate from an approved high school, as defined in the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, in the school year immediately preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission.

(2) He or she has a high school cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, at the time of application.

(3) He or she has received a composite score of 28 or higher on the ACT national college admissions examination.

(4) He or she enters into an agreement with the University that he or she will major in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field.

(5) He or she submits the application before the expiration of any application filing deadline established by the University.

Admission to the University under this subsection (d) entitles the applicant to be admitted into a particular college of study or department at the University to fulfill the agreement entered into under item (5) of this subsection (d). The Board shall determine in what manner an applicant must fulfill the agreement, what constitutes a failure to fulfill the agreement, and what the consequences are for failing to fulfill the agreement.

After admitting an applicant under this subsection (d), the University shall review the applicant's record and any other factors the University considers appropriate to determine whether the applicant may require additional preparation for college-level work or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program.

(Source: P.A. 96-843, eff. 6-1-10; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

Section 35. The Illinois State University Law is amended by changing Section 20-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 675/20-85)

Sec. 20-85. Admission requirements.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Illinois State University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, vocational education or art;

(2) except that Illinois State University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Illinois State University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Illinois State University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take the high school level General Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) Beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, the University must admit an applicant for admission to the University as an undergraduate student if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) He or she will graduate from an approved high school, as defined in the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, in the school year immediately preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission.

(2) He or she has a high school cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, at the time of application.

(3) He or she has received a composite score of 28 or higher on the ACT national college admissions examination.

(4) He or she enters into an agreement with the University that he or she will major in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field.

(5) He or she submits the application before the expiration of any application filing deadline established by the University.

Admission to the University under this subsection (d) entitles the applicant to be admitted into a particular college of study or department at the University to fulfill the agreement entered into under item (5) of this subsection (d). The Board shall determine in what manner an applicant must fulfill the agreement, what constitutes a failure to fulfill the agreement, and what the consequences are for failing to fulfill the agreement.

After admitting an applicant under this subsection (d), the University shall review the applicant's record and any other factors the University considers appropriate to determine whether the applicant may require additional preparation for college-level work or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program.

(Source: P.A. 96-843, eff. 6-1-10; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

Section 40. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is amended by changing Section 25-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 680/25-85)

Sec. 25-85. Admission requirements.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Northeastern Illinois University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, vocational education or art;

(2) except that Northeastern Illinois University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Northeastern Illinois University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Northeastern Illinois University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take the high school level General Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) Beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, the University must admit an applicant for admission to the University as an undergraduate student if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) He or she will graduate from an approved high school, as defined in the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, in the school year immediately preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission.

(2) He or she has a high school cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, at the time of application.

(3) He or she has received a composite score of 28 or higher on the ACT national college admissions examination.

(4) He or she enters into an agreement with the University that he or she will major in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field.

(5) He or she submits the application before the expiration of any application filing deadline established by the University.

Admission to the University under this subsection (d) entitles the applicant to be admitted into a particular college of study or department at the University to fulfill the agreement entered into under item (5) of this subsection (d). The Board shall determine in what manner an applicant must fulfill the agreement, what constitutes a failure to fulfill the agreement, and what the consequences are for failing to fulfill the agreement.

After admitting an applicant under this subsection (d), the University shall review the applicant's record and any other factors the University considers appropriate to determine whether the applicant may require additional preparation for college-level work or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program.

(Source: P.A. 96-843, eff. 6-1-10; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

Section 45. The Northern Illinois University Law is amended by changing Section 30-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 685/30-85)

Sec. 30-85. Admission requirements.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Northern Illinois University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, vocational education or art;

(2) except that Northern Illinois University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Northern Illinois University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take the high school level General Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) Beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, the University must admit an applicant for admission to the University as an undergraduate student if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) He or she will graduate from an approved high school, as defined in the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, in the school year immediately preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission.

(2) He or she has a high school cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, at the time of application.

(3) He or she has received a composite score of 28 or higher on the ACT national college admissions examination.

(4) He or she enters into an agreement with the University that he or she will major in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field.

(5) He or she submits the application before the expiration of any application filing deadline established by the University.

Admission to the University under this subsection (d) entitles the applicant to be admitted into a particular college of study or department at the University to fulfill the agreement entered into under item (5) of this subsection (d). The Board shall determine in what manner an applicant must fulfill the agreement, what constitutes a failure to fulfill the agreement, and what the consequences are for failing to fulfill the agreement.

After admitting an applicant under this subsection (d), the University shall review the applicant's record and any other factors the University considers appropriate to determine whether the applicant may require additional preparation for college-level work or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program.

(Source: P.A. 96-843, eff. 6-1-10; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

Section 50. The Western Illinois University Law is amended by changing Section 35-85 as follows:

(110 ILCS 690/35-85)

Sec. 35-85. Admission requirements.

(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any of the departments or colleges of the Western Illinois University unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:

(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from the following 5 categories:

(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history and government);

(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and

(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language (which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, vocational education or art;

(2) except that Western Illinois University may admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Western Illinois University shall not discriminate in the University's admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Western Illinois University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).

(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall recognize their obligation to their students to offer the coursework required by subsection (a).

(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT shall not be required to take the high school level General Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to admission.

(d) Beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, the University must admit an applicant for admission to the University as an undergraduate student if the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(1) He or she will graduate from an approved high school, as defined in the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, in the school year immediately preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission.

(2) He or she has a high school cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, at the time of application.

(3) He or she has received a composite score of 28 or higher on the ACT national college admissions examination.

(4) He or she enters into an agreement with the University that he or she will major in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field.

(5) He or she submits the application before the expiration of any application filing deadline established by the University.

Admission to the University under this subsection (d) entitles the applicant to be admitted into a particular college of study or department at the University to fulfill the agreement entered into under item (5) of this subsection (d). The Board shall determine in what manner an applicant must fulfill the agreement, what constitutes a failure to fulfill the agreement, and what the consequences are for failing to fulfill the agreement.

After admitting an applicant under this subsection (d), the University shall review the applicant's record and any other factors the University considers appropriate to determine whether the applicant may require additional preparation for college-level work or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program.

(Source: P.A. 96-843, eff. 6-1-10; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)