HB5532 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 19441 LNS 32889 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB5532

Introduced 2/13/2026, by Rep. Chris Miller

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/2-3.53a
105 ILCS 5/21A-5
105 ILCS 5/21A-10
105 ILCS 5/21A-15
105 ILCS 5/21A-20
105 ILCS 5/21A-25
105 ILCS 5/21A-30
105 ILCS 5/21A-20.5 rep.
105 ILCS 5/21A-25.5 rep.

Amends the School Code by restoring certain provisions concerning mentoring and other matters to the form in which they existed before their amendment by Public Act 102-521.

A BILL FOR

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 changing Sections 2-3.53a, 21A-5, 21A-10, 21A-15, 21A-20, 21A-25, and 21A-30 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.53a)

Sec. 2-3.53a. New principal mentoring program.

(a) Beginning on July 1, 2007, and subject to an annual appropriation by the General Assembly, to establish a new principal mentoring program for new principals. Any individual who is first hired as a principal on or after July 1, 2007 shall participate in a new principal mentoring program for the duration of his or her first year as a principal and must complete the program in accordance with the requirements established under this Section and by the State Board of Education by rule or, for a school district created by Article 34 of this Code, in accordance with the provisions of Section 34-18.33 34-18.27 of this Code. School districts created by Article 34 are not subject to the requirements of subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g), (i), (j), (k), (l), or (m) of this Section. Any individual who is first hired as a principal on or after July 1, 2008 may participate in a second year of mentoring if it is determined by the State Superintendent of Education that sufficient funding exists for such participation. The new principal mentoring program shall match an experienced principal who meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this Section with each new principal in order to assist the new principal in the development of his or her professional growth and to provide guidance.

(b) Any individual who has been a principal in Illinois for 3 or more years and who has demonstrated success as an instructional leader, as determined by the State Board by rule, is eligible to apply to be a mentor under a new principal mentoring program. Eligible mentors Mentors shall be selected by approved entities and shall complete mentoring training provided by an approved entity by entities approved by the State Board and meet any other requirements set forth by the State Board by rule and by the school district employing the mentor.

(c) Subject to annual appropriation by the General Assembly, the State Board shall establish a competitive grant program to support the new principal mentoring program and shall approve one or more eligible entities to provide services to new principals under the program. Approval of eligible entities shall be valid for 3 years. Eligible entities are defined as regional offices of education, intermediate service centers, Illinois higher education institutions, statewide organizations representing principals, and school districts. Approved entities shall be responsible for mentor training, pairing mentors and new principals, and all other administrative aspects of providing mentoring services as provided by the State Board by rule. The State Board shall certify an entity or entities approved to provide training of mentors.

(d) A mentor shall be assigned to a new principal based on (i) similarity of grade level or type of school, (ii) learning needs of the new principal, and (iii) accessibility geographical proximity of the mentor to the new principal. The principal, in collaboration with the mentor, shall identify areas for improvement of the new principal's professional growth, including, but not limited to, professional growth in the areas addressed in the Illinois Performance Standards for School Leaders. each of the following:

(1) Analyzing data and applying it to practice.

(2) Aligning professional development and instructional programs.

(3) Building a professional learning community.

(4) Observing classroom practices and providing feedback.

(5) Facilitating effective meetings.

(6) Developing distributive leadership practices.

(7) Facilitating organizational change. The mentor shall not be required to provide input into a new principal's an evaluation that is completed in accordance with Article 24A of this Code of the new principal on the basis of the mentoring relationship.

(e) On or before July 1, 2008 and on or after July 1 of each year thereafter, the State Board shall facilitate a review and evaluate the new principal mentoring training program in collaboration with the approved entities providers. Each new principal and his or her mentor must complete a verification form developed by the State Board in order to certify their completion of a new principal mentoring program.

(f) The requirements of this Section do not apply to any individual who has previously served as an assistant principal in Illinois acting under an administrative endorsement certificate for 5 or more years and who is hired, on or after July 1, 2007, as a principal by the school district in which the individual last served as an assistant principal, although such an individual may choose to participate in this program or may shall be required to participate in the program by the individual's employing school district.

(g) The State Board may adopt any rules necessary for the implementation of this Section.

(h) On an annual basis, the State Superintendent of Education shall determine whether appropriations are likely to be sufficient to require operation of the new principal mentoring program for the coming year. In doing so, the State Superintendent of Education shall first determine whether it is likely that funds will be sufficient to require operation of the mentoring program for individuals in their first year as principal and shall then determine whether it is likely that funds will be sufficient to require operation of the mentoring program for individuals in their second year as principal.

(i) If the State Superintendent of Education determines that appropriations are not likely sufficient to serve all anticipated first year principals in any given year, then the new principal mentoring program shall be voluntary and priority access to mentoring services shall be given to first year principals in the highest need schools, as determined by the State Superintendent of Education. The new principal mentoring program shall only be available to second year principals if the State Superintendent of Education first determines that appropriations are likely sufficient to serve all anticipated first year principals. If mentoring services are extended to second year principals and if appropriations are not sufficient to serve all second year principals who wish to participate in the new principal mentoring program, priority access to mentoring services shall be given to second year principals who are in the highest need schools, as determined by the State Superintendent of Education.

(j) The State Superintendent of Education may determine on a yearly basis the number of mentoring hours required for first year principals and the number of mentoring hours required for second year principals.

(k) The State Superintendent of Education may determine on a yearly basis the amount of compensation to be provided to first year principal mentors, second year principal mentors, and approved entities.

(l) Contact hours for mentors and principals may be in person, by telephone, online, or by any other mechanism that allows for synchronous communication between the mentor and new principal. The State Board may, by rule, require a minimum number of in-person contact hours.

(m) Using funds from the new principal mentoring program, the State Board may contract with an independent party to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the program.

(Source: P.A. 96-373, eff. 8-13-09; 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/21A-5)

Sec. 21A-5. Definitions. In this Article:

"New teacher" means the holder of a professional educator license, as set forth in Section 21B-20 of this Code, who is employed by a public school and who has not previously participated in a new teacher induction and mentoring program required by this Article, except as provided in Section 21A-25 of this Code.

"Eligible applicant" or "eligible entity" means a regional office of education, an intermediate service center, an Illinois institution of higher education, a statewide organization representing teachers, a local education agency, or a public or private not-for-profit entity with experience providing professional learning, including mentoring, to early childhood educators.

"Public school" means any school operating pursuant to the authority of this Code, including without limitation a school district, a charter school, a cooperative or joint agreement with a governing body or board of control, and a school operated by a regional office of education or State agency.

(Source: P.A. 101-643, eff. 6-18-20; 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/21A-10)

Sec. 21A-10. Development of program required.

(a) Each eligible applicant shall develop a new teacher induction and mentoring program for first and second-year teachers that meets the requirements set forth in Section 21A-20 to assist new teachers in developing the skills and strategies necessary for instructional excellence, provided that funding is made available by the State Board of Education from an appropriation made for this purpose.

(b) A public school that has a new teacher induction and mentoring program in existence before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly that does not meet the requirements set forth in Section 21A-20 may modify the program to meet the requirements of Section 21A-20 and may receive funding as described in Section 21A-25, provided that funding is made available by the State Board of Education from an appropriation made for this purpose.

(c) Each school district shall decide, in conjunction with its exclusive bargaining representative, if any, whether to forgo modifications to a new teacher induction and mentoring program in existence before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

If a district does not have a new teacher induction and mentoring program in existence before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly or if a district and the exclusive bargaining representative, if any, agree that an eligible entity would better serve the district's needs, the district and the exclusive bargaining representative, if any, shall jointly decide which eligible entity offers the most suitable program. The eligible entity shall include representatives from both the district and the exclusive bargaining representative in the program development discussions to ensure the program captures local need. During the 2003-2004 school year, each public school or 2 or more public schools acting jointly shall develop, in conjunction with its exclusive representative or their exclusive representatives, if any, a new teacher induction and mentoring program that meets the requirements set forth in Section 21A-20 of this Code to assist new teachers in developing the skills and strategies necessary for instructional excellence, provided that funding is made available by the State Board of Education from an appropriation made for this purpose. A public school that has an existing induction and mentoring program that does not meet the requirements set forth in Section 21A-20 of this Code may have school years 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 to develop a program that does meet those requirements and may receive funding as described in Section 21A-25 of this Code, provided that the funding is made available by the State Board of Education from an appropriation made for this purpose. A public school with such an existing induction and mentoring program may receive funding for the 2005-2006 school year for each new teacher in the second year of a 2-year program that does not meet the requirements set forth in Section 21A-20, as long as the public school has established the required new program by the beginning of that school year as described in Section 21A-15 and provided that funding is made available by the State Board of Education from an appropriation made for this purpose as described in Section 21A-25.

(Source: P.A. 93-355, eff. 1-1-04; 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/21A-15)

Sec. 21A-15. Program establishment and implementation. When program is to be established and implemented.

(a) The State Board of Education shall establish a competitive State grant program to support new teacher induction and mentoring programs. The program shall be available to eligible entities not less than every 3 years, subject to appropriation. The State Board shall prioritize funding based on the needs of students and school districts as it relates to teacher retention.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, by no later than the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year or by no later than the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year for eligible applicants that have been given an extension of time to develop a program under Section 21A-10, each eligible entity or 2 or more eligible entities acting jointly shall establish and implement a new teacher induction and mentoring program required to be developed under Section 21A-10. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code, by the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year (or by the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year for a public school that has been given an extension of time to develop a program under Section 21A-10 of this Code), each public school or 2 or more public schools acting jointly shall establish and implement, in conjunction with its exclusive representative or their exclusive representatives, if any, the new teacher induction and mentoring program required to be developed under Section 21A-10 of this Code, provided that funding is made available by the State Board of Education, from an appropriation made for this purpose, as described in Section 21A-25 of this Code. A public school may contract with an institution of higher education or other independent party to assist in implementing the program.

(Source: P.A. 93-355, eff. 1-1-04; 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/21A-20)

Sec. 21A-20. Program requirements. Each new teacher induction and mentoring program must align with the standards established under Section 21A-20.5 and shall be based on a plan that at least does all of the following:

(1) Assigns a mentor teacher to each new teacher for a period of at least 2 school years.

(2) Aligns with the Illinois Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards in Part 24 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, content area standards, and applicable local school improvement and professional development plans, if any.

(3) (Blank). Addresses all of the following elements and how they will be provided:

(A) Mentoring and support of the new teacher.

(B) Professional development specifically designed to ensure the growth of the new teacher's knowledge and skills.

(C) Formative assessment designed to ensure feedback and reflection, which must not be used in any evaluation of the new teacher.

(4) Describes the role of mentor teachers, the criteria and process for their selection, and how they will be trained, provided that each mentor teacher shall demonstrate the best practices in teaching his or her respective field of practice. A mentor teacher may not directly or indirectly participate in the evaluation of a new teacher pursuant to Article 24A of this Code or the evaluation procedure of the public school.

(5) Is designed to be available for both in-person and virtual participation.

(Source: P.A. 93-355, eff. 1-1-04; 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/21A-25)

Sec. 21A-25. Funding.

(a) From a separate appropriation made for the purposes of this Article, for each new teacher participating in a new teacher induction and mentoring program that meets the requirements set forth in Section 21A-20 of this Code or in an existing program that is in the process of transition to a program that meets those requirements, the State Board of Education shall pay the eligible entity for the duration of the grant public school $1,200 annually for each of 2 school years for the purpose of providing one or more of the following:

(1) Mentor teacher compensation and new teacher compensation.

(2) Mentor teacher professional learning training or new teacher learning training or both.

(3) (Blank). Release time.

(b) Each school district shall decide, in conjunction with its exclusive bargaining representative, if any, which eligible applicant offers the most suitable program. If a mentor teacher receives release time to support a new teacher, the total workload of other teachers regularly employed by the public school shall not increase in any substantial manner. If the appropriation is not included in the State budget, the State Board of Education is not required to implement programs established by this Article. However, if a new teacher, after participating in the new teacher induction and mentoring program for one school year, becomes employed by another public school, the State Board of Education shall pay the teacher's new school $1,200 for the second school year and the teacher shall continue to be a new teacher as defined in this Article. Each public school shall determine, in conjunction with its exclusive representative, if any, how the $1,200 per school year for each new teacher shall be used, provided that if a mentor teacher receives additional release time to support a new teacher, the total workload of other teachers regularly employed by the public school shall not increase in any substantial manner. If the appropriation is insufficient to cover the $1,200 per school year for each new teacher, public schools are not required to develop or implement the program established by this Article. In the event of an insufficient appropriation, a public school or 2 or more schools acting jointly may submit an application for a grant administered by the State Board of Education and awarded on a competitive basis to establish a new teacher induction and mentoring program that meets the criteria set forth in Section 21A-20 of this Code. The State Board of Education may retain up to $1,000,000 of the appropriation for new teacher induction and mentoring programs to train mentor teachers, administrators, and other personnel, to provide best practices information, and to conduct an evaluation of these programs' impact and effectiveness.

(Source: P.A. 93-355, eff. 1-1-04; 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/21A-30)

Sec. 21A-30. Evaluation of programs. The State Board of Education shall contract with an independent party, using funds from the relevant appropriation for new teacher induction and mentoring programs, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the new teacher induction and mentoring programs established pursuant to this Article. Reports from the evaluation shall be made available to stakeholders after 3 years of program implementation. The State Board of Education and the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall jointly contract with an independent party to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of new teacher induction and mentoring programs established pursuant to this Article. The first report of this evaluation shall be presented to the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2009. Subsequent evaluations shall be conducted and reports presented to the General Assembly on or before January 1 of every third year thereafter.

(Source: P.A. 101-643, eff. 6-18-20; 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)

(105 ILCS 5/21A-20.5 rep.)

(105 ILCS 5/21A-25.5 rep.)

Section 10. The School Code is amended by repealing Sections 21A-20.5 and 21A-25.5.