Section 75.230  Quality Indicators

Each quality indicator is intended to measure an applicant's achievement of the goal to which it applies. (See Section 75.220.) The application for funding required under Section 75.250 shall list the specific quality indicators to be considered in a given funding cycle and their values, which shall range from 0 to 10.  The total value of an individual application shall be considered on a 100 percent basis.  That is, the percentage of the total represented by any quality indicator will be such that the total percentages of all quality indicators equal 100 percent.

a)         Goal 1:  Not to exceed 30 percent of the total value available.  Include, at a minimum, consideration of the teacher's affiliation with professional organizations, length of employment, leadership activities, professional development and other continuing education activities, college-level teaching or mentoring, and industry recognized credentials taught or utilized in the curriculum.

b)         Goal 2:  Not to exceed 10 percent of the total value available.  Include, at a minimum, maintenance of student portfolios or career plans, provision of accommodations for students with disabilities or other special needs, and assistance raising students' awareness about agricultural careers or postsecondary agricultural education. 

c)         Goal 3:  Not to exceed 25 percent of the total value available.  Include, at a minimum:

1)         acceptance of at least one AFNR course to meet high school graduation requirements;

2)         State-approved courses, as defined in Section 75.220, that are offered separately or as part of other coursework;

3)         curriculum planning and course integration aligned to the Illinois State Goals for Learning (23 Ill. Adm. Code 1.Appendix D) and supportive of the applicant's School Improvement Plan;

4)         articulation with or provisions for dual credit with postsecondary institutions;

5)         inclusion of technology-based instruction, recruitment activities and career development events;

6)         use of standardized instructional and assessment systems;

7)         credentials that are earned by students as part of enrollment in or completion of agricultural education courses; and

8)         teacher participation in international activities, the purpose of which is directly related to AFNR, as evidenced by an itinerary, certification of participation, correspondence from activity organizers, etc., presented as part of the application. 

d)         Goal 4:  Not to exceed 25 percent of the total value available.  Include, at a minimum, involvement in supervised agricultural experience programs that include classroom instruction, independent study, applied learning experiences, and record-keeping activities, starting in the first semester of the school year.  Experiences may include award and degree contests and agricultural education fairs or exhibits.

e)         Goal 5:  Not to exceed 25 percent of the total value available.  Include, at a minimum, instruction and activities specific to leadership development and participation of the agricultural education teacher and program in various activities and programs of a locally, State or nationally sponsored FFA organization or related agricultural organizations.

f)         Goal 6:  Not to exceed 15 percent of the total value available.  Include, at a minimum:

1)         classroom space of at least 600 square feet and adjacent laboratory facilities and equipment suitable for a range of agriculture specialties (e.g., plant, animal, mechanics, computer, greenhouse, aquaculture, landscape, garden, and agricultural science laboratories);

2)         suitable office and storage space;

3)         inventory of equipment and designation of equipment;

4)         program budget; and

5)         receipt of grant resources other than a grant received under this Subpart B.

g)         Goal 7:  Not to exceed 15 percent of the total value available.  Include, at a minimum, an agricultural advisory committee that meets at least twice a year, conducts programmatic reviews in conjunction with the school administration, and provides written recommendations about the program to the district.

h)         Goal 8:  Not to exceed 15 percent of the total value available.  Include, at a minimum, activities specific to enhancing prekindergarten through grade 12 students' awareness about and career exploration in AFNR (e.g., fairs and expositions, job-shadowing); and offering adult community education

i)          Goal 9:  Not to exceed 10 percent of the total value available. Include, at a minimum, activities specific to middle school participation in agricultural education activities.

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 16012, effective December 1, 2021)