Section 255.100  Definitions

 

"Registered Apprenticeship Program" or "Program" means an industry-based occupational training program of study registered by the U.S. Department of Labor, after standards review, that meets each of the following characteristics:

 

Apprentices in the program are at all times employed by a company participating in the program.

 

The program features a structured combination of on-the-job learning supported by related technical classroom instruction, delivered either by a high school or a public community college.

 

The:

 

apprentices in the program are paid a training wage, of not less than the State minimum wage, that escalates throughout the life of the apprenticeship; and

 

employment continued with the company following conclusion of the apprenticeship for a period of not less than 2 years.

 

Apprentices in the program earn an industry-related occupational skills certificate and a high school diploma.

 

Apprentices in the program may earn postsecondary credit toward a certificate or degree, as applicable.

 

"Registered Apprenticeship Program" does not include an apprenticeship program related to construction, as defined under the Employee Classification Act [820 ILCS 185].  (Section 2-3.175 of the Code)

 

"School Code" or "Code" means 105 ILCS 5.

 

"State Board" means the State Board of Education.

 

Section 255.200  Registered Apprenticeship Program

 

a)         Each school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 may adopt a policy to allow a student of any high school who is 16 years of age or older to participate in a registered apprenticeship program.

 

b)         A school district that chooses to adopt a policy under this Section shall include all of the following in that policy:

 

1)         Allowing a student enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program to satisfy one or more high school courses or academic graduation requirements by successfully completing the program.

 

2)         A definition of a registered apprenticeship program that meets the criteria outlined in Section 255.100.

 

3)         Opportunities for students enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program to earn postsecondary credit toward a certificate or degree, as applicable.

 

4)         Language confirming that successful completion of a registered apprenticeship program may be substituted for a required course or academic graduation requirement under any policy adopted by a school board under this Section if the student's parent or guardian approves the substitution in writing on a form that the school district makes available on its website.

 

5)         A waiver of all non-academic requirements mandated for graduation from high school under the Code that would otherwise prohibit or prevent a student from participating in the registered apprenticeship program (Section 2-3.175 of the Code).

 

c)         A school district that chooses to adopt a policy under this Section shall:

 

1)         Post the policy on its website for students, parents, and members of the business and industry community to access; and

 

2)         Notify students and parents of the opportunities for registered apprenticeships. At a minimum, a school district must provide this notification through the school district's website and the school handbook. This notification must include:

 

A)        a statement that a student may participate in any registered apprenticeship program listed by the school district; and

 

B)        a statement that a student may find a registered, but not listed, apprenticeship program with a business or organization, if a registered apprenticeship program is not offered in the school district.

 

d)         A school district shall identify, and submit to the State Board through the Student Information System (see 23 Ill. Adm. Code 1.75), data on those students who are participating in a registered apprenticeship program.

 

e)         A school district shall identify and attempt to eliminate any barriers to student participation in a registered apprenticeship.

 

f)         If a school district awards endorsements under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act [110 ILCS 148], the registered apprenticeship program must be included in the Career Pathway Endorsement.

 

(Source:  Added at 44 Ill. Reg. 14799, effective August 27, 2020; expedited correction at 45 Ill. Reg. 1004, effective August 27, 2020)