Section 25.444 Illinois Teaching Excellence Program

The annual payments and incentives established under Section 21-27 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/21-27] shall be subject to the requirements of this Section and shall be contingent upon the appropriation of sufficient funds (see subsection (f) of this Section). For purposes of this Section, "outside the regular school term" means during hours when school is not in session or on days when school is not in session.

a) An individual who holds an Illinois master certificate pursuant to Section 21-2(d) or Section 21-25(d) of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/21-25(d)] shall be eligible for an annual payment as called for in Section 21-27(1) of the School Code for each year during which:

1) he or she is employed by a school district or other public entity providing early childhood, elementary, or secondary education, including special education, in a position whose functions are specifically authorized by a teaching certificate and include the provision of instruction to students or a school counseling position; and

2) he or she works for no less than the equivalent of half the school year, as verified by the employer at or near the conclusion of the school year using a format specified by the State Board of Education.

b) In addition to the payment received pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section, an individual who holds an Illinois master certificate pursuant to Section 21-2(d) of the School Code shall be eligible for an annual incentive payment under Section 21-27(2) of the School Code for each year during which:

3) he or she agrees in writing, using a format prescribed by the State Board of Education, to provide at least 60 hours of mentoring to classroom teachers that conforms to the requirements of Section 21-27(2) of the School Code and consists of:

A) high-quality professional development for new and experienced teachers; and/or

B) assistance to candidates for certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in completing that certification process. (Section 21-27(2) of the School Code)

c) Requirements for Professional Development and Assistance to NBPTS Candidates

1) As verification of his or her eligibility for the applicable incentive payment, the holder of the master certificate who provides professional development to new or experienced teachers under subsection (b) of this Section shall submit a written log of the assistance provided, using a format specified by the State Board of Education, demonstrating that he or she addressed one or more of the standards set forth in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 24 (Standards for All Illinois Teachers) as relevant to the classroom-based needs of the recipient teachers. Each recipient of professional development shall be identified by name and shall sign the log as verification of the dates and hours of service indicated.

2) As verification of his or her eligibility for the applicable incentive payment, the holder of the master certificate who assists others in preparing for certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards under subsection (b) of this Section shall submit a written log of the assistance provided, using a format specified by the State Board of Education. This record shall identify the activities performed and verify that these activities addressed specific requirements candidates must meet for NBPTS certification.

d) In addition to the payment received pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section, an individual who holds an Illinois master certificate pursuant to Section 21-2(d) of the School Code shall be eligible for an annual incentive payment under Section 21-27(3) of the School Code for each year during which:

3) he or she agrees in writing, using a format prescribed by the State Board of Education, to provide, outside the regular school term, at least 60 hours of mentoring to classroom teachers in schools on the Academic Early Warning List or in schools in which 50% or more of the students receive free or reduced-price lunches, or both. (Section 21-27(3) of the School Code)

e) Requirements for Mentoring

1) Mentoring provided in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section shall be conducted either:

A) as part of and in conformance with a mentoring program formally established by a school district; or

B) under the terms of a written agreement among the mentor teacher, the building administrator, mentor coordinator, or other responsible official of the school district employing one or more recipient teachers, and those recipients, that describes the goals of the mentoring, the duration of the mentor teacher's involvement, and the amount of time expected to be devoted to each recipient teacher.

2) Mentoring may be provided to recipients either individually or in groups, provided that the mentor must address one or more of the areas of teaching practice enumerated in subsection (c)(1) of this Section as relevant to the classroom-based needs of each recipient teacher.

3) An individual who provides mentoring under subsection (d) of this Section shall notify his or her employing district (if different from that of the recipient teacher or teachers) to this effect and, as verification of his or her eligibility for the applicable incentive payment, shall submit to the State Board of Education a written log that:

A) meets the requirements of subsection (c)(1) of this Section; and

B) discusses how the mentoring was related to the academic needs of the recipient teachers' students.

f) Insufficient Appropriations

When the funding available in any fiscal year is inadequate to cover all the payments described in this Section, payments will be prioritized.

1) No annual stipends as described in subsection (a) of this Section shall be paid until all other payments pursuant to subsections (b) and (d) of this Section have been made.

2) The incentive payments described in subsection (d) of this Section shall take precedence over those described in subsection (b) of this Section.

(Source: Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 8494, effective April 21, 2006)