Section 1.470  Adult and Continuing Education

a)         Local school districts, in accordance with Section 10-20.12 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/10-20.12], shall provide for the educational needs of adults younger than 21 years of age who wish to re-enter high school to acquire a high school diploma (subject to the limitations of 105 ILCS 5/26-2) or an equivalency certificate.  Local boards of education may permit other adults to re-enter high school under this provision.

b)         Local school districts may establish special classes for the instruction:

1)         of persons of age 21 years or older, and

2)         of persons younger than age 21 and not otherwise in attendance in public school, for the purpose of providing adults in the community and youth whose schooling has been interrupted with educational programs appropriate to the needs of these individuals. (See Section 10-22.20 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/10-22.20].) If a program is approved by the State Board of Education, a school may issue credit for a course on the basis of qualitative attainment rather than on the time element.  

c)         Awarding of Credit

1)         Local school districts, as provided in a definite policy of the boards of education, may offer credit through proficiency testing, correspondence courses, military experiences, life experiences and other nonformal educational endeavors.

2)         Secondary schools may obtain credit recommendations for service experience by submitting the form, "Request for Evaluation of Service School Training" to the American Council on Education, 1 DuPont Circle, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.

AGENCY NOTE:  The State Board of Education recommends that a high school grant credit toward a diploma for the successful completion of the following service educational experiences:

United States Armed Forces Institute courses;

United States Armed Forces Institute subject examinations;

High School courses offered through USAFI by cooperating colleges and universities, credit upon transfer from the school offering the course;

Marine Corps Institute courses;

Service School training;

High school credit toward a diploma for basic or recruit training is not recommended.

(Source:  Amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 6127, effective February 27, 2014)