SB2844eng 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB2844 Engrossed LRB100 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. Future Language 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.

"Program" means the Future Language Teachers Program established under this Section.

"Qualified participant" means a high school graduate who (i) at any one time during grades pre-kindergarten through 12 was identified as an English learner, (ii) can demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English or is a recipient of a State Seal of Biliteracy, and (iii) 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 Future Language Teachers Program to assist qualified participants in acquiring a Professional Educator License with an endorsement in English as a second language, bilingual education, English as a new language, or any foreign language.

(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 with an endorsement in English as a second language, bilingual education, English as a new language, or any foreign language.

(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 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.