the following 5 categories:

oral communications and literature), of which up to 2 years may be collegiate level instruction;

history and government);

advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming);

agricultural sciences); and

(which may be deemed to include American Sign Language), music, career and technical education, agricultural education, or art;

admit individual applicants if it determines through assessment or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and technical education courses and courses taken in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the high school courses required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University shall not discriminate in the University’s admissions process against an applicant for admission because of the applicant’s enrollment in a charter school established under Article 27A of the School Code. Northern Illinois University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance programs that are tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in either case, the institution incorporates in the applicant’s baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and

required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).