HB5024 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 36139 RJT 66230 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5024

Introduced 2/8/2024, by Rep. Joyce Mason

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

5 ILCS 100/5-45.55 new
110 ILCS 28/15
110 ILCS 28/20
110 ILCS 28/25
110 ILCS 28/30
110 ILCS 28/35
110 ILCS 947/65.125 new

Amends the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act. Removes provisions concerning geographic regional hubs established by the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, and member institutions. Removes references to the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development. In provisions concerning the membership of the advisory committee to the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity, provides that specified appointments made by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development shall instead be made by the Department of Human Services. Provides that all appointed positions on the advisory committee shall have their term length chosen by agreement among the co-chairpersons of the advisory committee. Provides that the advisory committee shall meet at least twice a year (instead of quarterly). Makes changes regarding what information shall be reported. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall implement and administer an early childhood educator scholarship program, to be known as the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program. Provides that under the Program, the Commission shall annually award scholarships to early childhood education students enrolled in the institutions of higher education participating in the Consortium. Provides for rulemaking and consultation. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to provide for emergency rulemaking for the Program. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is amended by adding Section 5-45.55 as follows:

(5 ILCS 100/5-45.55 new)

Sec. 5-45.55. Emergency rulemaking; Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program. To provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program under Section 65.125 of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, emergency rules implementing the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program may be adopted in accordance with Section 5-45 by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by Section 5-45 and this Section is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare. This Section is repealed one year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd General Assembly.

Section 10. The Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act is amended by changing Sections 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 as follows:

(110 ILCS 28/15)

Sec. 15. Creation of Consortium; purpose; administrative support.

(a) The Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board shall create and establish the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity.

(b) The purpose of the Consortium is to serve the needs of the incumbent early childhood workforce and the employers of early childhood educators and to advance racial equity while meeting the needs of employers by streamlining, coordinating, and improving the accessibility of degree completion pathways for upskilling and the sustained expansion of educational pipelines at Illinois institutions of higher education.

(c) The Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board shall convene the member institutions by July 1, 2021 or within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly. The Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board shall provide administrative support for the start up and operation of the Consortium until a permanent governance structure is developed and implemented. The Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board shall work with member institutions to establish geographic regional hubs, including public universities and the proximate community colleges responsible for serving each regional hub.

(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)

(110 ILCS 28/20)

Sec. 20. Membership; functions.

(a) Membership in the Consortium shall include all public universities and community colleges in this State that offer early childhood programs. Membership by private, not-for-profit universities is optional and conditional on the acceptance of the terms adopted by the public members, the related administrative rules, and the provisions of this Act. For-profit institutions of higher education are not eligible for membership in the Consortium. Participating institutions must be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and entitled to offer Gateways Credentials.

(b) The members of the Consortium shall operate jointly and in cooperation through regional hubs to provide streamlined paths for students to attain associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, certificates, and Gateways Credentials and other licensure endorsements in early childhood education. The priority shall be to focus on the incumbent workforce, which includes working adults who require programs of study that offer flexibility in the times courses are offered, location, and format. The Consortium shall cooperate in all of the following:

(1) Providing course offerings within each regional hub in online, hybrid, and in-person formats that are available to any student enrolled in a member institution in that hub for occasions in which a particular course is not available at the student's home institution. In this paragraph (1), "not available" may mean the course is not offered during a term, at a time, or in a format that works best for the student. Courses taken at any member institution shall be accepted toward the student's degree at any other member institution. Course offerings across institutions regional hubs may also be provided by an agreement between Consortium members. All course registration shall take place in consultation with a student's academic advisor.

(2) Shared responsibilities through the Consortium and within and across the State regional hubs to expand access for students.

(3) Transfers in accordance with Section 130-10 of the Transitions in Education Act.

(4) The development of standardized methods for awarding credit for prior learning.

(5) The support necessary for student access, persistence, and completion shall be provided by the home institution, unless otherwise provided by agreement between Consortium members.

(6) Admissions, financial arrangements, registration, and advising services shall be functions of the home institution but shall be honored across the Consortium.

(7) Member institutions working with their regional pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and early childhood employer partners to determine demand throughout the region.

(8) Data-sharing agreements.

(9) An agreement that students enrolled in associate degree programs are encouraged to complete the associate degree program prior to transferring to a bachelor's degree program.

(10) Development of other shared agreements and terms necessary to implement the Consortium and its responsibilities.

By January 31, 2022, the Consortium shall decide how to assign college credit for the incumbent workers who have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and for future workers obtaining a CDA.

(c) The Consortium may facilitate or implement the following if deemed beneficial and feasible:

(1) the creation of an open education resource library;

(2) support and training for program coaches and cross-institutional navigators; and

(3) support for the development, implementation, and participation in a statewide registry system through the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) to provide tracking and data capabilities for students across the system as they attain competency through coursework.

(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)

(110 ILCS 28/25)

Sec. 25. Advisory committee; membership.

(a) The Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Human Services, and the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development shall jointly convene a Consortium advisory committee to provide guidance on the operation of the Consortium.

(b) Membership on the advisory committee shall be comprised of employers and experts appointed by the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, and the State Board of Education. Membership shall also include all of the following members:

(1) An employer from a community-based child care provider, appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.

(2) An employer from a for-profit child care provider, appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.

(3) An employer from a nonprofit child care provider, appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.

(4) A provider of family child care, appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.

(5) An employer located in southern Illinois, appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.

(6) An employer located in central Illinois, appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.

(7) At least one member who represents an urban school district, appointed by the State Board of Education.

(8) At least one member who represents a suburban school district, appointed by the State Board of Education.

(9) At least one member who represents a rural school district, appointed by the State Board of Education.

(10) At least one member who represents a school district in a city with a population of 500,000 or more, appointed by the State Board of Education.

(11) Two early childhood advocates with statewide expertise in early childhood workforce issues, appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.

(12) The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and the Minority Spokesperson or a designee of the Senate Committee on Higher Education.

(13) The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and the Minority Spokesperson or a designee of the House Committee on Higher Education.

(14) One member representing the Illinois Community College Board, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

(15) One member representing the Board of Higher Education, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(16) One member representing the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(17) One member representing the State Board of Education, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the State Board of Education.

(18) (Blank). One member representing the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.

(19) One member representing the Department of Human Services, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.

(20) One member representing INCCRRA, appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.

(21) One member representing the Department of Children and Family Services, appointed by the Department of Human Services with input from the Department of Children and Family Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.

(22) One member representing an organization that advocates on behalf of community college trustees, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

(23) One member of a union representing child care and early childhood providers, appointed by the Department of Human Services Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.

(24) Two members of unions representing higher education faculty, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(25) A representative from the College of Education of an urban public university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(26) A representative from the College of Education of a suburban public university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(27) A representative from the College of Education of a rural public university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(28) A representative from the College of Education of a private university, appointed by the Board of Higher Education.

(29) A representative of an urban community college, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

(30) A representative of a suburban community college, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

(31) A representative of rural community college, appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

All appointed positions on the advisory committee shall have their term length chosen by agreement among the co-chairpersons of the advisory committee.

(c) The advisory committee shall meet at least twice a year quarterly. The committee meetings shall be open to the public in accordance with the provisions of the Open Meetings Act.

(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)

(110 ILCS 28/30)

Sec. 30. Reporting. The Consortium shall report to the General Assembly, to the Senate and House Committees with oversight over higher education, to the Governor, and to the advisory committee on the progress made by the Consortium. A report must include, but is not limited to, all of the following information:

(1) Student enrollment numbers for the fall and spring terms or semesters, retention rates, persistence in relevant associate, baccalaureate, and credential programs, including demographic data that is disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and federal Pell Grant status, reported annually twice per year. Completion numbers and rates, employer type, and years worked shall be reported annually.

(2) For students enrolled in early childhood programs, average assessed tuition, average Tuition rates charged and net price, number of students receiving student loans, and average loan amount prices paid, reported both as including and excluding student loans, by enrolled members of the incumbent workforce, reported annually.

(3) Outreach plans to recruit and enroll incumbent workforce members, reported annually twice per year.

(4) Participation of the incumbent workforce in outreach programs, which may include participation in an informational session, social media engagement, or other activities, reported annually twice per year.

(5) Student academic and holistic support plans to help the enrolled incumbent workforce persist in their education, reported annually.

(6) Evidence of engagement and responsiveness to the needs of employer partners, reported annually.

(7) The Consortium budget including the use of federal funds, reported annually.

(8) Member contributions, including financial, physical, or in-kind contributions, provided to the Consortium, reported annually.

(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)

(110 ILCS 28/35)

Sec. 35. Goals and metrics.

(a) By July 1, 2021 or within 60 days after July 28, 2021 (the effective date of Public Act 102-174) this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, the Board of Higher Education's Strategic Plan Educator Workforce subgroup on the early childhood workforce must set goals for the Consortium for the enrollment, persistence, and completion of members of the incumbent workforce in associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs, Gateways Credentials in Level 2, 3, or 4, and Professional Educator Licensure by September 30, 2024. The goals set for the Consortium must be data informed and include targets for annual enrollment and persistence.

(b) Data from the Gateways Registry, March 2020, indicates that there are 7,670 individuals with an associate degree who would benefit from progressing to a baccalaureate degree and 20,467 individuals with a high school diploma or some college who would benefit from progressing to an associate degree. If the goals cannot be set in accordance with subsection (a), the goal for the Consortium shall be that by September 30, 2024, 20% of the individuals described in this subsection (b) who do not have a degree will have enrolled and be persisting toward or have attained a Gateways Credential in Level 2, 3, or 4 or an associate degree and, of the individuals who have an associate degree, will be enrolled and persisting toward or have attained a baccalaureate degree or will be persisting toward or have attained a Professional Educator License.

(c) Student financial aid, including incentives and stipends, data-sharing, and professional statewide engagement and marketing campaign and recruitment efforts are critical to the Consortium's ability to quickly attract and enroll students into these programs. Navigators, mentors, and advisors are critical for persistence and completion. If federal funds are not appropriated for these purposes and the other purposes of this Section, the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Human Services, and the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, in consultation with the advisory committee, shall adjust the initial target metrics appropriately by adopting challenging goals that may be attainable with less public investment.

(d) The Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the State Board of Education, and the Department of Human Services, and the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, in consultation with the advisory committee, shall determine new metrics and goals for the Consortium as they relate to the remaining and future early childhood workforce, to be instituted after the close of the 2024-2025 academic year and going forward. Metrics must take into consideration that the pipeline depends on sustained, increased student enrollment and completion rates at the associate degree level if this State aims to continue with sustained, increased student enrollment and completion at the bachelor's degree level.

(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)

Section 15. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is amended by adding Section 65.125 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.125 new)

Sec. 65.125. Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program.

(a) As used in this Section, "incumbent workforce" has the meaning ascribed to that term in the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the Commission shall implement and administer an early childhood educator scholarship program, to be known as the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program. Under the Program, the Commission shall annually award scholarships to early childhood education students enrolled in institutions of higher education participating in the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity under the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act, upon application to the Commission.

(c) The Commission shall determine, by rule, the scholarship eligibility criteria, with preference given to members of the incumbent workforce, the application process, the amount of scholarship assistance awarded to a recipient, and the manner in which scholarships are issued and utilized. To ensure alignment with Consortium goals and changing workforce needs, the Commission shall consult with the Board of Higher Education and Illinois Community College Board in establishing and, as needed, updating the Program's parameters.

(d) The Commission may adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the Program.

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