Substitute Senate Bill No. 427, also known as Public Act No. 26-18, amends the eligibility criteria for student enrollment in advanced courses or programs within local and regional boards of education. The bill introduces new definitions for "dual enrollment course" and "concurrent enrollment course," aligning them with existing definitions in section 10a-35d. It mandates that by July 1, 2022, boards of education must adopt or revise policies that allow multiple methods for students to meet eligibility criteria, emphasizing that these criteria should not rely solely on prior academic performance. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Education to develop a model agreement for dual enrollment courses by July 1, 2026, and appoint a coordinator to track the establishment and outcomes of these courses by January 1, 2027.

Additionally, the bill establishes a fee-waiver grant program aimed at expanding access to advanced courses for high-need high school students, allowing local boards of education or higher education institutions to apply for reimbursement of fees incurred for these students. It prohibits institutions from charging parents for costs associated with courses covered by the grant. Furthermore, the Commissioner of Education is authorized to allocate funds to the State Education Resource Center to support local boards in expanding dual credit courses, with a focus on alliance districts.