Public Act 100-0982
 
SB2844 EnrolledLRB100 20437 AXK 35779 b


  
    AN ACT concerning education.
  
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
represented in the General Assembly:
  





 
    Section 5. The School Code is amended  by adding Section 
2-3.173 as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.173  new)
    Sec. 2-3.173. Supporting Future Teachers Program.
    (a) In this Section: 
    "English learner" means a child included in the definition 
of "English learners" under Section 14C-2 of this Code.
    "Low-income student" means a student that would be included 
in an Organizational Unit's Low-Income Count, as calculated 
under Section 18-8.15 of this Code. 
    "Program" means the Supporting Future Teachers Program 
established under this Section. 
    "Qualified participant" means a high school graduate who: 
(i) can demonstrate proficiency in a language other than 
English or is a recipient of a State Seal of Biliteracy or, at 
any one time during pre-kindergarten through grade 12, was 
identified as a low-income student; and (ii) is a member of the 
community in which the participating school district is 
located. A "qualified participant" must be enrolled in an 
educator preparation program approved by the State Board of 
Education at a regionally accredited institution of higher 
education in this State.
    "State Board" means the State Board of Education. 
    (b) Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, the State 
Board shall establish and maintain the Supporting Future 
Teachers Program to assist qualified participants in acquiring 
a Professional Educator License.
    (c) Each participating school district shall partner with 
an educator preparation program approved by the State Board at 
a regionally accredited institution of higher education in this 
State. Each qualified participant enrolled in the Program 
through the school district must be enrolled at least part-time 
each semester at that institution of higher education in its 
educator preparation program and be working toward a 
Professional Educator License. 
    (d) A qualified participant shall no longer qualify for the 
Program if at any time the participating school district or the 
institution of higher education determines that the qualified 
participant is no longer making substantial progress toward a 
degree in an approved educator preparation program.
    (e) Throughout each semester of participation in the 
Program, the qualified participant must be employed by the 
participating school district and working under the 
supervision of a school district employee. Duties of the 
qualified participant may include, but are not limited to (i) 
working in cooperation with his or her supervisor under this 
subsection (e) to create classroom curriculum and lesson plans 
and (ii) working with and mentoring English learners or 
low-income students on a one-on-one basis.
    Each participating school district may use appropriate 
State, federal, or local revenue to employ the qualified 
participant.
    (f) At the end of each school year of the Program, each 
participating school district shall submit data to the State 
Board detailing all of the following:
        (1) The number of qualified participants enrolled in 
    the Program.
        (2) The costs associated with the Program.
        (3) The duties assigned to each qualified participant 
    by his or her supervisor.
        (4) The current status of each qualified participant in 
    his or her educator preparation program.
        (5) The qualified participant's Illinois Educator 
    Identification Number, if available.
        (6) Any other information requested by the State Board. 
    (g) Prior to the 2023-2024 school year, the State Board 
shall electronically submit a report to the Clerk of the House 
of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate detailing 
the first 4 years of the program, including, but not limited 
to, the following information: 
        (1) The participating school districts in the Program.
        (2) The number of qualified participants enrolled in 
    the Program.
        (3) The costs associated with the Program per school 
    district.
        (4) A summary of the duties assigned to qualified 
    participants by school district supervisors.
        (5) Any other information as determined by the State 
    Board. 
    (h) The State Board may establish and adopt any rules 
necessary to implement this Section.
    (i) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require a 
school district to participate in the Program. 
 

    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
becoming law.