Section 65.160  Allocation of Funds

a)         The State Superintendent of Education shall approve initial applications for competitive funding and make final determinations regarding the amounts to be provided based upon the total funds appropriated for this initiative, the amounts necessary to fund the top-ranked proposals, and the need to distribute the benefits of innovative induction models on a statewide basis. The State Board of Education shall prioritize funding based on the needs of students and school districts as it relates to teacher retention.  (Section 21A-15 of the School Code)

b)         It is the intention of the State Board of Education to approve continuation funding for projects under this Part prior to providing funding for new applicants.  Funding for existing grantees for each year shall be contingent upon the availability of funds for the program and evidence presented in renewal proposals that the projects have been implemented in accordance with the approved grant agreements and that the recipients continue to need additional State resources in order to implement their programs.  If funds remain available for new programs, an RFP shall be issued as provided in Section 65.140.

c)         In accordance with Section 21A-25 of the School Code, in years when sufficient funding is available for a statewide implementation of the new teacher induction grant program, the State Board of Education shall pay the eligible entity for the duration of the grant for the purpose of providing the following:

1)         Mentor teacher compensation and new teacher compensation.

2)         Mentor teacher professional learning or new teacher learning or both.

d)         If the appropriation is not included in the State budget, the State Board of Education is not required to implement programs established by Article 21A of the School Code or this Part.  (Section 21A-25(b) of the School Code)

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 13208, effective July 13, 2022)