(105 ILCS 5/24A-2.5)

Sec. 24A-2.5. Definitions. In this Article:

"Evaluator" means:

(1) an administrator qualified under Section 24A-3; or

(2) other individuals qualified under Section 24A-3, provided that, if such other individuals are in the bargaining unit of a district's teachers, the district and the exclusive bargaining representative of that unit must agree to those individuals evaluating other bargaining unit members.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in item (2) of this definition, a school district operating under Article 34 of this Code may require department chairs qualified under Section 24A-3 to evaluate teachers in their department or departments, provided that the school district shall bargain with the bargaining representative of its teachers over the impact and effects on department chairs of such a requirement.

"Implementation date" means, unless otherwise specified and provided that the requirements set forth in subsection (d) of Section 24A-20 have been met:

(1) For school districts having 500,000 or more inhabitants, in at least 300 schools by September 1, 2012 and in the remaining schools by September 1, 2013.

(2) For school districts having less than 500,000 inhabitants and receiving a Race to the Top Grant or School Improvement Grant after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the date specified in those grants for implementing an evaluation system for teachers and principals incorporating student growth as a significant factor.

(3) For the lowest performing 20% percent of remaining school districts having less than 500,000 inhabitants (with the measure of and school year or years used for school district performance to be determined by the State Superintendent of Education at a time determined by the State Superintendent), September 1, 2015.

(4) For all other school districts having less than 500,000 inhabitants, September 1, 2016.

Notwithstanding items (3) and (4) of this definition, a school district and the exclusive bargaining representative of its teachers may jointly agree in writing to an earlier implementation date, provided that such date must not be earlier than September 1, 2013. The written agreement of the district and the exclusive bargaining representative must be transmitted to the State Board of Education.

"Race to the Top Grant" means a grant made by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education for the program first funded pursuant to paragraph (2) of Section 14006(a) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

"School Improvement Grant" means a grant made by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to Section 1003(g) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

(Source: P.A. 96-861, eff. 1-15-10; 97-8, eff. 6-13-11.)