Page 406

House Bill No. 5506

Public Act No. 22-118 406 of 739

education; science, which [may] shall include the climate change curriculum described in subsection (d) of this section; social studies, including, but not limited to, citizenship, economics, geography, government, history and Holocaust and genocide education and awareness in accordance with the provisions of section 10-18f; African- American and black studies in accordance with the provisions of section 10-16ss; Puerto Rican and Latino studies in accordance with the provisions of section 10-16ss; Native American studies, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-16vv; computer programming instruction; and in addition, on at least the secondary level, one or more world languages; vocational education; and the black and Latino studies course in accordance with the provisions of sections 10-16tt and 10- 16uu. For purposes of this subsection, world languages shall include American Sign Language, provided such subject matter is taught by a qualified instructor under the supervision of a teacher who holds a certificate issued by the State Board of Education. For purposes of this subsection, the "arts" means any form of visual or performing arts, which may include, but not be limited to, dance, music, art and theatre. (b) If a local or regional board of education requires its pupils to take a course in a world language, the parent or guardian of a pupil identified as deaf or hard of hearing may request in writing that such pupil be exempted from such requirement and, if such a request is made, such pupil shall be exempt from such requirement. (c) Each local and regional board of education shall on September 1, 1982, and annually thereafter at such time and in such manner as the Commissioner of Education shall request, attest to the State Board of Education that such local or regional board of education offers at least the program of instruction required pursuant to this section, and that such program of instruction is planned, ongoing and systematic. (d) The State Board of Education shall make available curriculum materials and such other materials as may assist local and regional