SB2844 EngrossedLRB100 20437 AXK 35779 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning education.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  


 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended  by adding Section 
52-3.173 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.173  new)
7    Sec. 2-3.173. Future Language Teachers Program.
8    (a) In this Section: 
9    "English learner" means a child included in the definition 
10of "English learners" under Section 14C-2 of this Code.
11    "Program" means the Future Language Teachers Program 
12established under this Section. 
13    "Qualified participant" means a high school graduate who 
14(i) at any one time during grades pre-kindergarten through 12 
15was identified as an English learner, (ii) can demonstrate 
16proficiency in a language other than English or is a recipient 
17of a State Seal of Biliteracy, and (iii) is a member of the 
18community in which the participating school district is 
19located. A "qualified participant" must be enrolled in an 
20educator preparation program approved by the State Board of 
21Education at a regionally accredited institution of higher 
22education in this State.
23    "State Board" means the State Board of Education. 
 
 
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1    (b) Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, the State 
2Board shall establish and maintain the Future Language Teachers 
3Program to assist qualified participants in acquiring a 
4Professional Educator License with an endorsement in English as 
5a second language, bilingual education, English as a new 
6language, or any foreign language.
7    (c) Each participating school district shall partner with 
8an educator preparation program approved by the State Board at 
9a regionally accredited institution of higher education in this 
10State. Each qualified participant enrolled in the Program 
11through the school district must be enrolled at least part-time 
12each semester at that institution of higher education in its 
13educator preparation program and be working toward a 
14Professional Educator License with an endorsement in English as 
15a second language, bilingual education, English as a new 
16language, or any foreign language. 
17    (d) A qualified participant shall no longer qualify for the 
18Program if at any time the participating school district or the 
19institution of higher education determines that the qualified 
20participant is no longer making substantial progress toward a 
21degree in an approved educator preparation program.
22    (e) Throughout each semester of participation in the 
23Program, the qualified participant must be employed by the 
24participating school district and working under the 
25supervision of a school district employee. Duties of the 
26qualified participant may include, but are not limited to (i) 
 
 
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1working in cooperation with his or her supervisor under this 
2subsection (e) to create classroom curriculum and lesson plans 
3and (ii) working with and mentoring English learners on a 
4one-on-one basis.
5    Each participating school district may use appropriate 
6State, federal, or local revenue to employ the qualified 
7participant.
8    (f) At the end of each school year of the Program, each 
9participating school district shall submit data to the State 
10Board detailing all of the following:
11        (1) The number of qualified participants enrolled in 
12    the Program.
13        (2) The costs associated with the Program.
14        (3) The duties assigned to each qualified participant 
15    by his or her supervisor.
16        (4) The current status of each qualified participant in 
17    his or her educator preparation program.
18        (5) The qualified participant's Illinois Educator 
19    Identification Number, if available.
20        (6) Any other information requested by the State Board. 
21    (g) Prior to the 2023-2024 school year, the State Board 
22shall electronically submit a report to the Clerk of the House 
23of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate detailing 
24the first 4 years of the program, including, but not limited 
25to, the following information: 
26        (1) The participating school districts in the Program.
 
 
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1        (2) The number of qualified participants enrolled in 
2    the Program.
3        (3) The costs associated with the Program per school 
4    district.
5        (4) A summary of the duties assigned to qualified 
6    participants by school district supervisors.
7        (5) Any other information as determined by the State 
8    Board. 
9    (h) The State Board may establish and adopt any rules 
10necessary to implement this Section.
11    (i) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require a 
12school district to participate in the Program. 
 

13    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
14becoming law.