Section 210.40  Program Requirements

Each IHOPE program approved by the State Board of Education shall conform to the following program requirements.

a)         The program of instruction of an IHOPE program shall be consistent with State standards set forth in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 1.Appendix D (State Goals for Learning) and provide innovative and varied instructional strategies designed to facilitate the student's receipt of a high school diploma.

1)         In consultation with the student's school district of residence, the IHOPE program must award academic credit in accordance with that district's policy developed pursuant to 23 Ill. Adm. Code 1.420(b).

2)         If the instructional program is provided by a non-profit entity, then that entity shall be recognized by the State Board of Education.  A recognized entity is one that:

A)        is established by the State to provide education-related services or instruction (e.g., regional offices of education, intermediate service centers, public community colleges or universities); or

B)        is a nonpublic elementary or secondary school recognized by the State Board of Education under 23 Ill. Adm. Code 425 (Voluntary Registration and Recognition of Nonpublic Schools); or

C)        is designated for operation through a standardized approval process administered by the State Board of Education (i.e., public university laboratory schools, alternative schools, charter schools, area vocational centers, Alternative Learning Opportunities Programs); or

D)        meets the requirements of a national or regional accrediting body (e.g., private colleges and universities, other nonpublic elementary or secondary schools).

b)         Support services shall be provided for each student enrolled in the IHOPE program.  The particular services provided shall be those that are determined to be necessary for the student's academic success. 

c)         An individual instructional plan shall be developed for each student enrolled in the IHOPE program in accordance with Section 210.50 of this Part. 

d)         Progress reports for students enrolled in the IHOPE program shall be provided at least in the same manner and with the same frequency as progress reports are sent to parents and guardians of students enrolled in the school district from which the student will receive his or her diploma.  A student's parent or guardian may request a meeting anytime during the school year to review the student's progress, in accordance with procedures developed by the IHOPE program.

e)         The IHOPE program shall employ staff who are appropriately qualified.

1)         Teachers shall hold a valid and active Illinois professional educator license endorsed for elementary, secondary, special K-12 or special preschool-age 22 required for the grade levels to which they will be assigned, except that staff employed in dual credit programs must meet the requirements set forth in 110 ILCS 27/20. 

2)         Professional personnel who provide other services for students enrolled in the program shall hold the type of educator licenses appropriate to their roles pursuant to State Board of Education rules for Educator Licensure (23 Ill. Adm. Code 25), except that:

A)        personnel providing professional nursing services shall meet the requirements of Section 10-22.23 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/10-22.23];

B)        personnel providing school counseling services shall meet the requirements of Section 10-22.24b of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/10-22.24b];

C)        personnel providing noninstructional services shall meet the requirements of Section 10-22.34 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/10-22.34];

D)        personnel providing school psychological services shall meet the requirements of Section 14-1.09.1 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/14-1.09.1]; and

E)        personnel providing school social work services shall meet the requirements of Section 14-1.09.2 of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/14-1.09.2].

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 6447, effective April 11, 2022)