On April 24, 2020, Governor Pritzker issued Executive Order 2020-31, which specifically provides for flexibility on certain graduation requirements for graduating seniors in light of the COVID-19 school closures. Shortly thereafter, the Illinois State Board of Education (“ISBE”) issued Emergency Rules and guidance regarding state assessments and graduation requirements incorporating the Governor’s Executive Order. The Emergency Rules and ISBE guidance provide for modifications of the graduation requirements set forth in the Illinois School Code for the Class of 2020, in addition to other flexibility and modifications to eighth grade graduation requirements and assessments. Additionally, the Emergency Rules and the ISBE guidance provide local school districts the discretion to modify any additional local graduation requirements beyond those set forth in the School Code.
Executive Order 2020-31 also provides relief on various licensure requirements for educators, including for candidates who were to complete student teaching, internships, and required exams, among other requirements, during the spring 2020 semester. ISBE issued Emergency Rules and guidance regarding the licensure requirement relief as well.
HLERK will continue to provide timely updates on education developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact any attorney in our Students/Special Education Practice Group with questions related to graduation, assessments, and IDEA timelines. Please contact any attorney in our Labor/Personnel Practice Group with questions related to licensure.
