(105 ILCS 5/21A-20)

Sec. 21A-20. Program requirements. Each new teacher induction and mentoring program must align with the standards established under Section 21A-20.5 and shall be based on a plan that at least does all of the following:

(1) Assigns a mentor teacher to each new teacher for a period of at least 2 school years.

(2) Aligns with the Illinois Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards in Part 24 of Title 23 of the Illinois Administrative Code, content area standards, and applicable local school improvement and professional development plans, if any.

(3) (Blank).

(4) Describes the role of mentor teachers, the criteria and process for their selection, and how they will be trained, provided that each mentor teacher shall demonstrate the best practices in teaching his or her respective field of practice. A mentor teacher may not directly or indirectly participate in the evaluation of a new teacher pursuant to Article 24A of this Code or the evaluation procedure of the public school.

(5) Is designed to be available for both in-person and virtual participation.

(Source: P.A. 102-521, eff. 8-20-21.)