SB1498eng 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1498 Engrossed LRB101 09980 AXK 55082 b

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 2-3.80d as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.80d new)

Sec. 2-3.80d. Agricultural Education Pre-Service Teacher Training Program.

(a) In this Section:

"Non-traditional agricultural education teaching student" means a student enrolled in an institution of higher education in this State in a State-approved teacher preparation program who has completed at least 30 credit hours, has maintained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent as determined by the State Board of Education), and has demonstrated, through application to the Agricultural Education Pre-Service Teacher Training Program, an interest in agricultural education.

"Pre-service teaching student" means a student who is enrolled in an approved agricultural education teacher preparation program at an institution of higher education or an articulated agricultural education teacher course of study at a public community college, has completed at least 30 credit hours, and has maintained, at a minimum, a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

"Illinois agricultural company" means any company in this State that has an interest in the agricultural industry, as determined by the pre-service teaching student's institution of higher education or public community college.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education must develop an Agricultural Education Pre-Service Teacher Training Program beginning at the secondary level that provides grants to all of the following:

(1) Students who qualify as pre-service teaching students and who attend institutions of higher education in this State that offer a State-approved agricultural education teacher preparation program.

(2) Students who qualify as pre-service teaching students and who attend public community colleges in this State that provide an articulated agricultural education teacher course of study.

(3) Non-traditional agricultural education teaching students, as defined in this Section.

The Training Program must be a 12-week experience that includes all of the following:

(1) Hands-on experience in the 5 career clusters of agricultural education through partnerships with Illinois agricultural companies. The 5 career clusters are agricultural business management, agricultural mechanics and technology, horticulture services operations and management, agricultural sciences, and natural resources conservation management.

(2) At least 2 weeks in each of the 5 career clusters under paragraph (1).

(3) Both in-classroom lectures and hands-on, applied learning.

(c) The funds provided by the State Board under subsection (b) may be used to support all of the following activities:

(1) A stipend not to exceed $7,500 for a non-traditional agricultural education teaching student or a pre-service teaching student for work completed under the Training Program, distributed in monthly installments.

(2) Lodging for a pre-service teaching student while participating in the Training Program.

(3) Reimbursement for meals, not to exceed $75 per day, for a pre-service teaching student while participating in the Training Program.

(4) Any reasonable costs for participation in the Training Program charged by a participating Illinois agricultural company.

(5) Any educational costs related to the Training Program, including, but not limited to, for course credits at the institution of higher education or public community college.

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