IL HB4280

Establishes the Growing Future Educators Program administered by the State Board of Education to train high school graduates who were previously identified as English learners to become secondary language educators, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

Requires participating school districts to partner with a public, regionally accredited Illinois higher education institution offering an approved educator preparation program and employ qualified graduates as part-time paraprofessionals under supervision of licensed teachers.

Authorizes the State Board to issue paraprofessional educator endorsements on an Educator License with Stipulations to program participants for each semester they maintain at least part-time enrollment in higher education courses.

Requires participating districts to submit annual data on program enrollment, costs, subjects covered, and participant progress toward degree completion to the State Board, which must report to the General Assembly by the 2023-2024 school year on the program's first four years of operation.

Makes the act effective immediately and specifies that participation in the program is entirely voluntary for school districts.