HB5414 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 38484 RJT 68620 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5414

Introduced 2/9/2024, by Rep. Laura Faver Dias - Joyce Mason, Mary Beth Canty, Sharon Chung, William "Will" Davis, et al.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 205/9.44 new

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Board of Higher Education shall create a student teaching stipend program to reduce financial barriers into the teaching profession and increase the quality of the student teaching experience in order to better prepare teaching candidates for the classroom and increase teacher retention. Provides that to participate in the stipend program, an eligible student must be placed as a student teacher. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students who qualify for the stipend program by July 1. Provides that all eligible students shall be enrolled in the stipend program. Provides that subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible student a stipend of up to $10,000 for one academic semester, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Sets forth provisions concerning funding if the amount appropriated for the program is insufficient to fund all eligible students. Provides that subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible student a stipend of up to $1,500 per academic semester, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Provides that a cooperating teacher may receive professional development hours for completing cooperating teacher training that counts towards the cooperating teacher's license renewal or Gateways credential. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student or an eligible teacher from participating in the program or receiving a stipend from the program. Provides that, subject to available appropriations, the Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the State Board of Educations shall report and evaluate about the program to the Governor and General Assembly on or before June 30, 2028 and each June 30 thereafter. Provides for rulemaking.

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 Board of Higher Education Act is amended by adding Section 9.44 as follows:

(110 ILCS 205/9.44 new)

Sec. 9.44. Student teaching stipend program.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Cooperating teacher" means a licensed teacher or a teacher who has attained a Gateways Credential in Level 5 or higher and who is qualified to teach in the subject area assigned. "Educator preparation program" means an approved educator preparation program offered by a recognized school or institution under Article 21B of the School Code.

"Eligible student" means a student who is enrolled in an educator preparation program, who is maintaining satisfactory academic progress, who is in a student teaching placement, and who is not contracted as the teacher of record for the student teaching placement. "Student teaching" means a supervised clinical experience that prepares a candidate to take full responsibility in an instructional setting.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the Board shall create a student teaching stipend program to reduce financial barriers into the teaching profession and increase the quality of the student teaching experience in order to better prepare teaching candidates for the classroom and increase teacher retention.

(c) To participate in the stipend program, an eligible student must be placed as a student teacher. An educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students who qualify for the stipend program by July 1. All eligible students shall be enrolled in the stipend program.

(d) Under the stipend program and subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible student a stipend of up to $10,000 for one academic semester, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. The educator preparation program shall distribute stipend funds using the standard methods for allocating State-based financial aid or as wages for employment to each eligible student in monthly installments.

(e) If the amount appropriated in a fiscal year is insufficient to fully fund stipends for the total number of eligible students for that fiscal year, the Board shall prioritize granting stipend funds to students in the following order:

(1) Fully funding stipends for all eligible students who demonstrate financial need based on federal Pell Grant eligibility, Monetary Award Program eligibility, Free Application for Federal Student Aid eligibility, or as otherwise determined by the Board.

(2) Fully funding stipends for all eligible students pursuing credentials in high-need certification areas, as determined by the State Board of Education.

(3) Fully funding stipends for all other eligible students.

If the appropriated funds are insufficient to fully fund all eligible students, the remaining funds shall be prorated across all members of the last unfunded group under this subsection (e).

(f) Under the stipend program and subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each student teacher or cooperating teacher a stipend of up to $1,500 per academic semester, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. The educator preparation program shall distribute stipend funds to each cooperating teacher in one payment.

(g) To participate in the stipend program, the Board shall require a cooperating teacher to complete evidence-based training that covers basic responsibilities of a cooperating teacher, practices in supporting student teachers in school and early childhood education-based settings, including an evidence-based model of coaching, and the effective assessment of student teachers that aligns with relevant State educator performance evaluation requirements.

(h) A cooperating teacher may receive professional development hours for completing cooperating teacher training that counts towards the cooperating teacher's license renewal or Gateways credential.

(i) An educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student or an eligible cooperating teacher from participating in the program or receiving a stipend from the program.

(j) No institution of higher education may establish or maintain a policy which requires student teaching for preservice teachers to be unpaid.

(k) Subject to available appropriations, the Board shall report and evaluate the impact of the student teaching stipend program created by this Section. The evaluation shall include an analysis of the impact of the program on enrollment and completions in State educator preparation programs, the racial and ethnic diversity of educator preparation programs, hiring rates of students who complete educator preparation programs and work in public schools and early childhood programs in the State, and the classroom effectiveness and retention of early career teachers, State educator preparation, and retention efforts. The Board shall write this report in collaboration with the State Board of Education. The Board shall deliver this report to the General Assembly and Governor on or before June 30, 2028 and each June 30 thereafter.

(l) The Board shall adopt rules regarding the administration of the stipend program.