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HB 3250

Relating to consideration of nonfinancial factors in managing state investments.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Werner Reschke

Expands recognition of global credentials by allowing providers of online courses, micro-credentials, or digital badges to certify students and require schools to annotate diplomas

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3250

HB 3250 — State Global Scholar Certification (SCH CD‑GLOBAL SCHOLAR CERTIFY)

Status: Filed without Governor’s signature (6/20/2025). See official remarks for the bill’s effective date.
Session: 104th General Assembly — Amends 105 ILCS 5/2‑3.169 (School Code)
Introduced: 2/18/2025 by Rep. Janet Yang Rohr. Companion: SB 1735.

Purpose

HB 3250 clarifies and expands how Illinois high school students can earn and have recognized the State Global Scholar Certification, in particular by recognizing determinations made by providers of online courses, micro‑credentials, or digital badges. The overall statutory program seeks to recognize global competence among high school graduates and support college and employer identification of globally competent applicants.

Key provisions and changes

  • Adds a requirement that if a provider of an online course, micro‑credential, or digital badge determines and can demonstrate that a student meets all criteria for State Global Scholar Certification, the student’s school district or nonpublic school must designate that the student has earned the certification on the student’s diploma and transcript.
  • Expands the remote‑earning option: beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, the State Board of Education must adopt rules enabling students in schools that do not offer the certification to earn it remotely. These rules must include a list of qualifying globally focused courses and course codes drawn from the Illinois State Course Catalog and Illinois Virtual Course Catalog.
  • Requires a school, upon a student’s request, to provide evidence that the student has completed at least six globally focused courses (a requirement for certification) so the student can submit that evidence to an online provider.
  • Preserves an exception: students awarded the certification prior to 2026–2027 who were offered a course to complete the capstone requirement before 2026–2027 may not instead earn the certification remotely under the new remote rules.
  • Maintains existing duties: the State Board must set certification criteria (including globally focused courses, service learning, global collaboration, capstone), prepare mechanisms for diploma/transcript designation, and provide information to districts/schools. Participating schools must maintain records and make the appropriate designation.
  • Fee provision: schools may not charge students a fee for the designation, though students may incur costs in demonstrating proficiency.

Who is affected

  • Students (public and nonpublic high school graduates) seeking the State Global Scholar Certification.
  • School districts and nonpublic schools — required to record and designate certification on diploma/transcript when a qualified provider verifies attainment and to provide documentation upon request.
  • Providers of online courses, micro‑credentials, and digital badges — their determinations can trigger school recognition of the certification.
  • State Board of Education — must adopt implementing rules and lists of qualifying courses.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Bill passed both chambers (House and Senate) and was filed without the Governor’s signature on 2025‑06‑20. The legislative record notes “See remarks for effective date”; consult the Secretary of State or legislative website for the exact effective date.
  • Remote earning provisions take effect for the 2026–2027 school year.

Potential impacts

  • Eases recognition of third‑party digital credentials and micro‑credentials for statewide certification.
  • Expands access via remote pathways for students whose schools do not offer the program.
  • Places administrative responsibilities on districts/schools to verify records and annotate transcripts when providers demonstrate criteria are met.

For full statutory text and rulemaking details, see the amended 105 ILCS 5/2‑3.169 and related administrative rules from the Illinois State Board of Education.

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

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