HB3442 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 02750 CMG 12753 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB3442

Introduced 2/22/2021, by Rep. Lamont J. Robinson, Jr.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

30 ILCS 105/5.935 new
110 ILCS 947/65.110 new

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, in cooperation with the State Board of Education, to establish and administer a teacher pipeline program for the purpose of encouraging and recruiting students enrolled in public high schools to pursue teaching careers in their school district, with a special focus on the encouragement and recruitment of minority students and students of color. Provides that participants in the program, upon graduation from high school, shall receive grant assistance in an amount sufficient to pay the tuition and fees for up to 4 semesters at a public community college and up to 4 semesters at a public university if certain conditions are met. Requires the State Board of Education to designate teacher recruiters to work directly with public high school students. Sets forth provisions concerning applications, the repayment of grant assistance, and rulemaking. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Teacher Pipeline Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT 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 State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.935 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.935 new)

Sec. 5.935. The Teacher Pipeline Fund.

Section 10. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is amended by adding Section 65.110 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.110 new)

Sec. 65.110. Teacher pipeline program.

(a) In this Section:

"Educator preparation program" means an Illinois-approved educator preparation program that is operated by a recognized institution, as defined in Section 21B-105 of the School Code.

"Continuous enrollment" means enrollment in the fall and spring semesters of a single academic year; enrollment in summer or intersession terms is not required.

(b) The Commission, in cooperation with the State Board of Education, shall establish and administer a teacher pipeline program for the purpose of encouraging and recruiting students enrolled in public high schools in this State to pursue teaching careers in their school district, with a special focus on the encouragement and recruitment of minority students and students of color. Participants in the program, upon graduation from a public high school in this State, shall receive grant assistance in an amount sufficient to pay the tuition and fees for up to 4 semesters at a public community college in this State and up to 4 semesters at a public university in this State in accordance with subsection (c). However, the total amount of grant assistance awarded by the Commission under this Section to an individual in any given fiscal year, when added to other financial assistance awarded to that individual for that year, shall not exceed the cost of attendance at the institution at which the student is enrolled.

(c) The Commission shall, each year, receive and consider applications for participation in the program. A program participant must:

(1) attend a public community college in this State full time for 2 academic years of continuous enrollment, maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the community college, and receive an associate degree upon completion of the 2 academic years of continuous enrollment at the community college;

(2) attend a public university in this State full time immediately following graduation from the community college, be admitted to the university's educator preparation program, maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the university, and receive a bachelor's degree upon completion of the 2 academic years of continuous enrollment at the university; and

(3) obtain a Professional Educator License under Article 21B of the School Code and accept a teaching position in the school district from which he or she graduated high school.

(d) Under the teacher pipeline program, the State Board of Education shall designate teacher recruiters to work directly with public high school students to:

(1) inform students about the benefits and rewards of teaching and to encourage students to enter the teaching profession;

(2) be available to assist students with the process of applying to public institutions of higher learning;

(3) advise students on college course selection and financial aid; and

(4) provide other related mentoring services to students.

(e) All applications for participation in the teacher pipeline program shall be made to the Commission in a form as set forth by the Commission. The form of application and the information required to be set forth in the application shall be determined by the Commission, and the Commission shall require eligible applicants to submit with their applications such supporting documents as the Commission deems necessary.

(f) A recipient of grant assistance under the teacher pipeline program who fails to obtain a Professional Educator License under Article 21B of the School Code or a teaching position in the school district from which he or she graduated high school shall repay the amount of all grant assistance received under the program, unless the recipient can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Commission that the recipient has made a good faith effort to obtain a Professional Educator License or teaching position but has been unable to do so.

(g) The Teacher Pipeline Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. The Fund shall consist of money appropriated by the General Assembly and any gifts, bequests, or donations made to the Fund. All money in the Teacher Pipeline Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the Commission for the purposes of this Section.

(h) The Commission may adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the teacher pipeline program, including rules relating to the granting of extensions and waivers to program participants and the Commission's collection activities for repayment of grant assistance under subsection (f).

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