(105 ILCS 5/21-11.4)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on September 1, 2013)
    Sec. 21-11.4. Illinois Teacher Corps.
    (a) The General Assembly finds and determines that (i) it is important to encourage the entry of qualified professionals into elementary and secondary teaching as a second career; and (ii) there are a number of individuals who have bachelors' degrees, experience in the work force, and an interest in serving youth that creates a special talent pool with great potential for enriching the lives of Illinois children as teachers. To provide this talent pool with the opportunity to serve children as teachers, school districts, colleges, and universities are encouraged, as part of the public policy of this State, to enter into collaborative programs to educate and induct these non-traditional candidates into the teaching profession. To facilitate the certification of such candidates, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, shall assist institutions of higher education and school districts with the implementation of the Illinois Teacher Corps.
    (b) Individuals who wish to become candidates for the Illinois Teacher Corps program must earn a resident teacher certificate as defined in Section 21-11.3, including:
        (1) graduation from a regionally accredited
    
institution of higher education with a bachelor's degree and at least a 3.00 out of a 4.00 grade point average;
        (2) a minimum of 5 years of professional experience
    
in the area the candidate wishes to teach;
        (3) passing the examinations required by the State
    
Board of Education;
        (4) enrollment in a Masters of Education Degree
    
program approved by the State Superintendent of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board; and
        (5) completion of a 6 week summer intensive teacher
    
preparation course which is the first component of the Masters Degree program.
    (c) School districts may hire an Illinois Teacher Corps candidate after the candidate has received his or her resident teacher certificate. The school district has the responsibility of ensuring that the candidates receive the supports necessary to become qualified, competent and productive teachers. To be eligible to participate in the Illinois Teacher Corps program, school districts must provide a minimum of the following supports to the candidates:
        (1) a salary and benefits package as negotiated
    
through the teacher contracts;
        (2) a mentor certified teacher who will provide
    
guidance to one or more candidates under a program developed collaboratively by the school district and university;
        (3) at least quarterly evaluations performed of each
    
candidate jointly by the mentor teacher and the principal of the school or the principal's designee; and
        (4) a written and signed document from the school
    
district outlining the support the district intends to provide to the candidates, for approval by the State Teacher Certification Board.
    (d) Illinois institutions of higher education shall work collaboratively with school districts and the State Teacher Certification Board to academically prepare the candidates for the teaching profession. To be eligible to participate, the College or School of Education of a participating Illinois institution of higher education must develop a curriculum that provides, upon completion, a Masters Degree in Education for the candidates. The Masters Degree program must:
        (1) receive approval from the State Teacher
    
Certification Board; and
        (2) take no longer than 3 summers and 2 academic
    
years to complete, and balance the needs and time constraints of the candidates.
    (e) Upon successful completion of the Masters Degree program, the candidate receives an Initial Teaching Certificate in the State of Illinois.
    (f) If an individual wishes to become a candidate in the Illinois Teacher Corps program, but does not possess 5 years of professional experience, the individual may qualify for the program by participating in a one year internship teacher preparation program with a school district. The one year internship shall be developed collaboratively by the school district and the Illinois institution of higher education, and shall be approved by the State Teacher Certification Board.
    (g) The State Board of Education is authorized to award grants to school districts that seek to prepare candidates for the teaching profession who have bachelors' degrees and professional work experience in subjects relevant to teaching fields, but who do not have formal preparation for teaching. Grants may be made to school districts for up to $3,000 per candidate when the school district, in cooperation with a public or private university and the school district's teacher bargaining unit, develop a program designed to prepare teachers pursuant to the Illinois Teacher Corps program under this Section.
    (h) Beginning September 1, 2011, individuals may no longer be admitted to Illinois Teacher Corps programs.
    (i) This Section is repealed on September 1, 2013.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)