SJ0002LRB104 08170 ECR 18219 r

1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The Professional Review Panel is responsible for 
3evaluating and recommending modifications to the 
4Evidence-Based Funding Formula to ensure all students have 
5access to a quality education, including special education 
6resource services; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Special education resource services are provided 
8by special education resource teachers who work outside of the 
9general education classroom, providing specialized support to 
10students with disabilities in one-on-one or small group 
11settings or by providing support through other forms of 
12specialized instruction such as co-teaching; and
 
13    WHEREAS, High caseloads, meaning the number of students 
14assigned to an individual special education resource teacher, 
15are contributing to Illinois' teacher shortage and are 
16adversely impacting the special education resource services 
17districts can provide; and
 
18    WHEREAS, California, for example, has a maximum caseload 
19of 28 students for special education resource specialists; and
 
20    WHEREAS, The Illinois Education Association, in alignment 
21with California and the California Teachers Association, 
 
 
SJ0002- 2 -LRB104 08170 ECR 18219 r

1recommends a maximum caseload of 28 students for special 
2education resource specialists; therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
4ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF 
5REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we direct the 
6Professional Review Panel and the Illinois State Board of 
7Education to conduct the analysis and financial modeling 
8required to evaluate the effects of implementing the 
9recommended maximum caseloads for special education resource 
10teachers; and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That the Professional Review Panel and the 
12Illinois State Board of Education shall submit their findings 
13in a written report to the General Assembly and Governor by 
14December 31, 2026.