Section 70.60  Criteria for Review and Approval of Implementation Proposals

a)         Proposals for implementation grants shall be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria.

1)         Quality of Proposed Program (40 points)

A)        The proposal demonstrates that:

i)          coursework and experiences required for educator licensure will be scheduled and located to be accessible to candidates in the program; and

ii)         supportive services (e.g., counseling, tutoring, child care) that have been identified as necessary will be offered to enable candidates to progress through the program and attain a professional educator license endorsed in early childhood education.

B)        The proposal establishes a timetable or performance level for candidates as a condition for their continued receipt of assistance under this program.

C)        The proposal includes plans for assisting candidates in tapping sources of financial aid beyond those made available under this Part and by the members of the partnership.

D)        The plan of work for the program includes effective strategies for overcoming known barriers faced by the candidates.

E)        The evaluation plan is designed to yield information that can be used both in judging the program's qualitative and quantitative impact and in identifying changes or new approaches that will improve the program's outcomes.

2)         Program Need (30 points)

A)        The proposal clearly indicates that the area to be served has State-funded preschool education programs that are experiencing a shortage of teachers with professional educator licenses endorsed for early childhood education. 

B)        Criteria and indicators for identifying individuals to be enrolled in the program are clearly established and likely to target those individuals who have the greatest likelihood of successfully completing the program. 

C)        The recruitment strategies that are proposed are likely to be effective in enrolling the individuals in the program, particularly individuals who reflect the diversity of the children participating in State-funded preschool education programs that serve the targeted area.

3)         Experience and Qualifications (20 points)

A)        The proposal demonstrates that the institution of higher education has the capacity (i.e., faculty and other resources) to serve the group of individuals to be enrolled in its approved teacher preparation program. 

B)        The proposed roles and responsibilities of each entity that is a member of the partnership are appropriate, given the entity's qualifications, experience with early childhood initiatives and services, and the resources each will devote to the program. 

C)        The proposal demonstrates that the community organization or educational entity is familiar with the needs of early childhood education programs, in particular the needs of State-funded preschool education programs, located in the area proposed to be served and has the capacity to recruit individuals for and support them as they progress through the program.

4)         Cost-Effectiveness (10 points)

A)        The program is cost-effective as evidenced by the cost of proposed services in relation to the individuals to be enrolled and the services to be provided. 

B)        The proposal describes commitments on the part of all the partnership's members that will enable the partnership to sustain the program over time with a reduction in the need for external resources.

b)         Priority consideration may be given to proposals with specific areas of emphasis, as identified by the State Superintendent of Education in a particular RFP.

c)         The State Superintendent of Education shall determine the amount of individual grant awards.  The final award amounts shall be based upon:

1)         the total amount of funds available for the Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Assistance Grant; and

2)         the resources requested in the top-ranked proposals, as identified pursuant to subsections (a) and (b).

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 2202, effective January 13, 2016)