Section 255.200  Registered Apprenticeship Program

a)         Each school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 may adopt a policy to allow a student of any high school who is 16 years of age or older to participate in a registered apprenticeship program.

b)         A school district that chooses to adopt a policy under this Section shall include all of the following in that policy:

1)         Allowing a student enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program to satisfy one or more high school courses or academic graduation requirements by successfully completing the program.

2)         A definition of a registered apprenticeship program that meets the criteria outlined in Section 255.100.

3)         Opportunities for students enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program to earn postsecondary credit toward a certificate or degree, as applicable.

4)         Language confirming that successful completion of a registered apprenticeship program may be substituted for a required course or academic graduation requirement under any policy adopted by a school board under this Section if the student's parent or guardian approves the substitution in writing on a form that the school district makes available on its website.

5)         A waiver of all non-academic requirements mandated for graduation from high school under the Code that would otherwise prohibit or prevent a student from participating in the registered apprenticeship program (Section 2-3.175 of the Code).

c)         A school district that chooses to adopt a policy under this Section shall:

1)         Post the policy on its website for students, parents, and members of the business and industry community to access; and

2)         Notify students and parents of the opportunities for registered apprenticeships. At a minimum, a school district must provide this notification through the school district's website and the school handbook. This notification must include:

A)        a statement that a student may participate in any registered apprenticeship program listed by the school district; and

B)        a statement that a student may find a registered, but not listed, apprenticeship program with a business or organization, if a registered apprenticeship program is not offered in the school district.

d)         A school district shall identify, and submit to the State Board through the Student Information System (see 23 Ill. Adm. Code 1.75), data on those students who are participating in a registered apprenticeship program.

e)         A school district shall identify and attempt to eliminate any barriers to student participation in a registered apprenticeship.

f)         If a school district awards endorsements under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act [110 ILCS 148], the registered apprenticeship program must be included in the Career Pathway Endorsement.

(Source:  Added at 44 Ill. Reg. 14799, effective August 27, 2020; expedited correction at 45 Ill. Reg. 1004, effective August 27, 2020)