HB1081 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 05289 RJT 50307 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB1081

Introduced 1/12/2023, by Rep. Maurice A. West, II

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/10-20.85 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.82 new

Amends the School Code. Requires school districts with a population of 3,000 or more students to interview a minimum percentage of minority candidates for teaching positions. Exempts teaching positions within an English as a Second Language program from the requirement. Sets forth the formula for the school district to use to calculate the minimum percentage required. Provides that if the school district is unable to interview the required minimum percentage of minority candidates for 2 consecutive years, the school district must implement a program for school district employees interested in obtaining a Professional Educator License. Effective immediately.

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY

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 adding Sections 10-20.85 and 34-18.82 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/10-20.85 new)

Sec. 10-20.85. Minimum percentage of minority teaching candidates.

(a) During the process of interviewing candidates for a teaching position, a school district with a population of 3,000 or more students must interview a minimum percentage of minority candidates for the position as provided in this subsection (a). The minimum percentage requirement does not apply to teaching positions in an English as a Second Language program. The minimum percentage is calculated by subtracting 10% from the percentage of minority students enrolled in the school district. A school district that is unable to interview the required minimum percentage of minority candidates for 2 consecutive years must establish a program to assist minority employees of the school district who are interested in obtaining a Professional Educator License under Section 21B-20 of this Code.

(b) To facilitate the implementation of the program that may be required under subsection (a), a school district is encouraged to collaborate with an Illinois institution of higher education that offers an approved educator preparation program. The program established by the school district under subsection (a) must:

(1) provide minority employees with information about the educator preparation program;

(2) assist minority employees in enrolling in the educator preparation program;

(3) offer flexible work hours for an employee to complete the educator preparation program; and

(4) provide financial incentives to encourage minority employees to obtain a Professional Educator License.

(c) A program developed by a school district under subsection (a) must be submitted to and approved by the State Board of Education prior to implementation of the program.

(105 ILCS 5/34-18.82 new)

Sec. 34-18.82. Minimum percentage of minority teaching candidates.

(a) During the process of interviewing candidates for a teaching position, the school district must interview a minimum percentage of minority candidates for the position as provided in this subsection (a). The minimum percentage requirement does not apply to teaching positions in an English as a Second Language program. The minimum percentage is calculated by subtracting 10% from the percentage of minority students enrolled in the school district. If the school district is unable to interview the required minimum percentage of minority candidates for 2 consecutive years, the school district must establish a program to assist minority employees of the school district who are interested in obtaining a Professional Educator License under Section 21B-20 of this Code.

(b) To facilitate the implementation of the program that may be required under subsection (a), the school district is encouraged to collaborate with an Illinois institution of higher education that offers an approved educator preparation program. The program established by the school district under subsection (a) must:

(1) provide minority employees with information about the educator preparation program;

(2) assist minority employees in enrolling in the educator preparation program;

(3) offer flexible work hours for an employee to complete the educator preparation program; and

(4) provide financial incentives to encourage minority employees to obtain a Professional Educator License.

(c) A program developed by the school district under subsection (a) must be submitted to and approved by the State Board of Education prior to implementation of the program.

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