SPRINGFIELD, IL – A pilot program to test the feasibility of Illinois “e-learning” during extreme weather was approved by the Senate on May 21, thanks to the sponsorship of State Sen. Michael Connelly (R-Wheaton).
“We are seeking a limited-in-scope program to test our schools’ ability to establish an ‘e-learning’ program, to continue the academic schedule so it can be unimpeded by severe weather,” Connelly said.
House Bill 2781 would help curb the usage of emergency days by school districts, such as prolonged snow days in extreme weather events. Ohio and a handful of smaller states have explored similar programs.
The pilot program is scheduled to begin in specifically-selected school districts in the suburban area for the second semesters of schools years 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018. “E-learning” would require a certain amount of educational hours to be logged electronically and the time would not be allowed to be counted toward total educational school days for the entire district, but on a per-pupil basis.
House Bill 2781 has also been carefully crafted to take into consideration students who may not have access to the Internet and is trying to begin with school districts that have student-Internet access rates.
House Bill 2781 passed the Senate on May 21 and heads back to the House of Representatives for a concurrence vote, before it moves to the Governor’s Desk.
