Public Act 100-0982
 
SB2844 EnrolledLRB100 20437 AXK 35779 b

    AN ACT concerning education.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section
2-3.173 as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.173 new)
    Sec. 2-3.173. Supporting Future Teachers Program.
    (a) In this Section:
    "English learner" means a child included in the definition
of "English learners" under Section 14C-2 of this Code.
    "Low-income student" means a student that would be included
in an Organizational Unit's Low-Income Count, as calculated
under Section 18-8.15 of this Code.
    "Program" means the Supporting Future Teachers Program
established under this Section.
    "Qualified participant" means a high school graduate who:
(i) can demonstrate proficiency in a language other than
English or is a recipient of a State Seal of Biliteracy or, at
any one time during pre-kindergarten through grade 12, was
identified as a low-income student; and (ii) is a member of the
community in which the participating school district is
located. A "qualified participant" must be enrolled in an
educator preparation program approved by the State Board of
Education at a regionally accredited institution of higher
education in this State.
    "State Board" means the State Board of Education.
    (b) Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, the State
Board shall establish and maintain the Supporting Future
Teachers Program to assist qualified participants in acquiring
a Professional Educator License.
    (c) Each participating school district shall partner with
an educator preparation program approved by the State Board at
a regionally accredited institution of higher education in this
State. Each qualified participant enrolled in the Program
through the school district must be enrolled at least part-time
each semester at that institution of higher education in its
educator preparation program and be working toward a
Professional Educator License.
    (d) A qualified participant shall no longer qualify for the
Program if at any time the participating school district or the
institution of higher education determines that the qualified
participant is no longer making substantial progress toward a
degree in an approved educator preparation program.
    (e) Throughout each semester of participation in the
Program, the qualified participant must be employed by the
participating school district and working under the
supervision of a school district employee. Duties of the
qualified participant may include, but are not limited to (i)
working in cooperation with his or her supervisor under this
subsection (e) to create classroom curriculum and lesson plans
and (ii) working with and mentoring English learners or
low-income students on a one-on-one basis.
    Each participating school district may use appropriate
State, federal, or local revenue to employ the qualified
participant.
    (f) At the end of each school year of the Program, each
participating school district shall submit data to the State
Board detailing all of the following:
        (1) The number of qualified participants enrolled in
    the Program.
        (2) The costs associated with the Program.
        (3) The duties assigned to each qualified participant
    by his or her supervisor.
        (4) The current status of each qualified participant in
    his or her educator preparation program.
        (5) The qualified participant's Illinois Educator
    Identification Number, if available.
        (6) Any other information requested by the State Board.
    (g) Prior to the 2023-2024 school year, the State Board
shall electronically submit a report to the Clerk of the House
of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate detailing
the first 4 years of the program, including, but not limited
to, the following information:
        (1) The participating school districts in the Program.
        (2) The number of qualified participants enrolled in
    the Program.
        (3) The costs associated with the Program per school
    district.
        (4) A summary of the duties assigned to qualified
    participants by school district supervisors.
        (5) Any other information as determined by the State
    Board.
    (h) The State Board may establish and adopt any rules
necessary to implement this Section.
    (i) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require a
school district to participate in the Program.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.