PLAINFIELD — The lives of students and teachers were uprooted during the spring semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) recognized the obstacles they face and sponsored the General Assembly’s comprehensive education package. 

“Teachers and students are dealing with a situation they could have never planned for, so it is our responsibility to ensure they get the support they need,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Our educators must be equipped with the right tools to give students a quality education — even if they do so from a distance.”

The education package does a number of things to help students and teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including extending educator license renewals for one year, so teachers don’t have to go through the renewal process while working remotely. 

Additionally, relating to higher education, any grade of “pass,” “credit,” or “satisfactory” during the public health emergency is transferable and will fulfill prerequisite requirements for more advanced courses. 

“Students who worked hard on their classes during unprecedented circumstances should not have to sacrifice that work because they didn’t get a typical letter grade,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “Allowing students who have completed the coursework to get the credit is a commonsense practice.” 

Senate Bill 1569 passed both chambers and goes to the governor for final approval.