SB3215 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 37031 RJT 67146 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB3215

Introduced 2/6/2024, by Sen. Doris Turner

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 alleviate the financial burden of student teaching, to encourage students to pursue teaching careers to alleviate this State's teacher shortage, and to encourage teachers to be matched with student teachers. 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 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Provides that, subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible cooperating teacher a stipend of up to $2,000 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters per academic year, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. Sets forth provisions concerning the distribution of funds to eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student or an eligible cooperating teacher from participating in the stipend program or receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Sets forth provisions concerning cooperating teacher training. Provides that, subject to available appropriations, the Board, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, shall submit a report evaluating the impact of the stipend program on educator preparation programs to the General Assembly and Governor on or before June 30, 2028. Provides for rulemaking. Effective immediately.

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:

"Educator preparation program" means an approved educator preparation program offered by a recognized school or institution under Article 21B of the School Code.

"Eligible cooperating teacher" means a teacher who is licensed under Article 21B of the School Code or has attained the Department of Human Services' Gateways to Opportunity Early Childhood Education Credential Level 5 or 6, who is qualified to teach in the subject area assigned, and who is matched with an eligible student.

"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 alleviate the financial burden of student teaching, to encourage students to pursue teaching careers to alleviate this State's teacher shortage, and to encourage teachers to be matched with student teachers.

(c) An educator preparation program shall notify the Board of all eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers who qualify for 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 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters, 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) Under the stipend program and subject to available appropriations, the Board shall disburse to each educator preparation program funds to distribute to each eligible cooperating teacher a stipend of up to $2,000 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters per academic year, plus additional funds to pay the direct costs of operating the stipend program. The educator preparation program shall distribute stipend funds to an eligible cooperating teacher in one payment.

(f) If there is a surplus appropriated in a fiscal year for the stipend program, then the Board shall increase the amount distributed to each educator preparation program by the same percentage that the surplus bears to the amount required to fully fund the total number of eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers who qualify for the stipend program that fiscal year. An educator preparation program shall increase the stipend amount distributed to each eligible student or eligible cooperating teacher in proportion to the surplus.

(g) If the amount appropriated in a fiscal year for the stipend program is insufficient to fully fund stipends for the total number of eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers for that fiscal year, then the Board shall reduce the amount distributed to each educator preparation program by the same percentage that the deficit bears to the amount required to fully fund the total number of eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers who qualify for the stipend program. An educator preparation program shall reduce the stipend amount distributed to each eligible student or eligible cooperating teacher in proportion to the deficit.

(h) Funds not distributed in a particular fiscal year by an educator preparation program under this Section shall be returned to the Board to be used for the subsequent fiscal year's stipend program.

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

(j) Nothing in this Section is intended to preclude an educator preparation program from providing an eligible cooperating teacher with additional incentives.

(k) An eligible cooperating teacher participating in the stipend program may receive professional development hours for completing cooperating teacher training that count toward the eligible cooperating teacher's license renewal or the equivalent for early childhood education. The State Board of Education shall provide guidance for the development and implementation of evidence-based cooperating teacher training for an eligible cooperating teacher that aligns with training for instructional coaches, covers basic responsibilities of a cooperating teacher, includes evidence-based practices in supporting student teachers in school or early childhood settings, and includes the effective assessment of student teachers that aligns with State educator performance evaluation requirements or the equivalent for early childhood education.

(l) Subject to available appropriations, the Board shall issue a report evaluating the impact of the stipend program on educator preparation programs, including enrollment and completion rates, hiring rates, and retention rates. The Board shall issue this report in collaboration with the State Board of Education. The Board shall submit this report to the General Assembly and Governor on or before June 30, 2028.

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

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