Public Act 104-0267, signed by Governor JB Pritzker on August 15, 2025, and taking effect January 1, 2026, amends the Illinois School Code to clarify and broaden the circumstances under which middle school students can enroll in high school-level courses for credit toward graduation requirements.

The legislation modifies Section 27-22.10 of the School Code to authorize school districts that maintain grades 9 through 12 to adopt policies that allow students in grades 7 and 8 to enroll in courses required for high school graduation under three specific conditions.

First, students may take courses at the physical location of the high school they would attend, provided their enrollment does not prevent current high school students from accessing the class. Second, students may now participate in high school courses at their own middle school location, as long as they pass both the course and the end-of-course examination administered by the credit-granting high school, demonstrating proficiency at the high school level. Third, courses can be taught at the middle school if the instructor holds a professional educator license endorsed for both the grade level and content area of the course.

Under the new law, school boards that adopt such policies must grant academic credit to elementary students who successfully complete high school courses, with that credit satisfying Section 27-22 graduation requirements. Additionally, when students transfer between districts, the receiving district must award high school course credit for any course the student successfully completed under this provision, unless evidence demonstrates the course’s rigor and content failed to address relevant Illinois Learning Standards at the appropriate high school level.

The legislation also mandates that students’ grades in courses completed under this section be included in their high school grade point average according to district policies for calculating GPA.

Research indicates students taking advanced coursework demonstrate higher college completion rates—approximately 20% higher for dual credit participants compared to non-participants. 

Research indicates students taking advanced coursework demonstrate higher college completion rates—approximately 20% higher for dual credit participants compared to non-participants.

While the new law takes effect statewide on January 1, 2026, individual school districts must choose whether to adopt policies permitting middle school students to earn high school credit. Districts that already maintained such policies under the previous law will continue operating under the expanded framework.