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HJR 29

ISBE-GIFTED LEARNERS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Will Davis and 2 co-sponsors

Illinois would study expanding gifted funding to include more advanced programs (AP/IB/dual credit), with a report by end of 2026 to inform potential changes.

Referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · HJR 29

Summary — HJR 29 (ISBE — Gifted Learners)

Status: Joint resolution; Referred to Assignments (Senate)
Introduced: August 20, 2025 (multiple filings and amendment activity)
Chief House sponsor: Rep. Daniel Didech; Chief Senate sponsor: Sen. Adriane Johnson
Related: HJR 8 (companion)

Purpose

HJR 29 directs the Illinois Professional Review Panel and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to evaluate the implications of expanding the Evidence‑Based Funding Formula’s “gifted” adequacy factor to include other categories of advanced academic programming (e.g., accelerated placement, AP, IB, dual credit, enriched/honors courses). The resolution requests financial modeling and a written report on findings to the General Assembly and the Governor.

Key provisions

  • States that each Organizational Unit’s Adequacy Target currently includes $40 per Average Student Enrollment (ASE) for “Gifted Investments” (K–12).
  • Directs the Professional Review Panel and ISBE to evaluate including other categories of advanced academic programs in addition to “gifted” as adequacy factors in the Evidence‑Based Funding Formula beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.
  • Requires the Panel and ISBE to produce analysis and financial modeling and submit a written report of findings to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2026.
  • Amendment clarifications: replaces the term “advanced learners” with “advanced academic programs” and updates relevant dates (evaluation start year and report deadline to 2026).

Who is affected

  • Illinois State Board of Education and the Professional Review Panel (responsible for conducting the study and modeling).
  • School districts/Organizational Units (current recipient of the $40/ASE gifted allocation) — potential future changes to adequacy targets could affect district funding.
  • Students identified in broader categories of advanced academic programs (AP, IB, dual credit, accelerated placement, honors/enriched courses).

Procedural / timeline notes

  • House resolution adopted 111–0 (May 27, 2025) and transmitted to the Senate; currently referred to Assignments.
  • This is a study/directive resolution (joint resolution), not a statutory amendment — it does not itself change funding rules but requests evaluation and reporting to inform possible legislative or administrative action.
  • Report due to the General Assembly and Governor by December 31, 2026, and the evaluation should consider implementation beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.

Potential impact

If the evaluation recommends and later leads to policy action, Illinois could broaden the funding adequacy factor beyond the current $40/ASE “gifted” allocation, which may increase targeted funding for students in a wider array of advanced academic programs and alter district-level funding distributions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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