Senate Bill No. 154 proposes a comprehensive audit of student assessments by the Department of Education to reduce redundancy and enhance their utility for teachers. The bill requires the Department to provide guidance to local and regional boards of education on inventorying assessments and developing professional learning programs. It also revises grant provisions for local or regional boards, including new grant amounts for out-of-district students and delaying the State Board of Education's actions on racial imbalance plans until July 1, 2025. The bill allows school nurses and medical advisors to approve paraeducators to administer medication, including epinephrine, to students and mandates that regional community-technical colleges establish partnerships with public high schools.

The bill also addresses the expulsion of pupils, requiring a formal hearing with adequate notice to parents or guardians, and establishes a task force to improve civic engagement and instruction on civics and media literacy. It creates a task force to examine special education issues and mandates professional development for school nurses and nurse practitioners. The bill changes the deadline for educational reports and returns, with potential financial penalties for non-compliance, and requires the Department of Education to publish report data on its website. Additionally, it mandates universal design principles for new school playgrounds and outlines changes to the Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success, including the establishment of the Reading Leadership Implementation Council.

Statutes affected:
Public Act No. 24-93: 10-226d, 10-236c