HB1214 Summary

• Establishes a Temporary Teacher Apprentice Program beginning in the 2023-2024 school year to help qualified participants obtain a Professional Educator License without completing a traditional educator preparation program.

• Requires qualified participants to hold a high school diploma, associate degree or 60 semester hours of college coursework with a 3.0 GPA, and be pursuing a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in Illinois.

• Participants must complete 2 full school years working one-on-one with a mentor teacher (who must have 7+ years of classroom experience and "excellent" performance ratings) to develop pedagogical skills, and earn a bachelor's degree within 3 years.

• Participants must pass applicable content area tests but are exempt from teacher performance assessments; mentor teachers and school principals must certify participant eligibility before licensure.

• School districts may issue pay to apprentices for up to 2 school years and provide bonus pay to mentor teachers; State Board of Education may issue grants up to $2,000 per mentor teacher, not to exceed 25% of Article 21A appropriations.