Rep. Joyce Mason

Filed: 5/1/2024

 

 


 

 


 
10300HB5024ham002LRB103 36139 RJT 72872 a

1
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 5024

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 5024, AS AMENDED,
3by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the
4following:
 
5    "Section 5. The Early Childhood Access Consortium for
6Equity Act is amended by changing Sections 15, 20, 25, and 30
7as follows:
 
8    (110 ILCS 28/15)
9    Sec. 15. Creation of Consortium; purpose; administrative
10support.
11    (a) The Board of Higher Education and the Illinois
12Community College Board shall create and establish the Early
13Childhood Access Consortium for Equity.
14    (b) The purpose of the Consortium is to serve the needs of
15the incumbent early childhood workforce and the employers of
16early childhood educators and to advance racial equity while

 

 

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1meeting the needs of employers by streamlining, coordinating,
2and improving the accessibility of degree completion pathways
3for upskilling and the sustained expansion of educational
4pipelines at Illinois institutions of higher education.
5    (c) The Board of Higher Education and the Illinois
6Community College Board shall convene the member institutions
7by July 1, 2021 or within 60 days after the effective date of
8this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly. The Board
9of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board
10shall provide administrative support for the start up and
11operation of the Consortium until a permanent governance
12structure is developed and implemented. The Board of Higher
13Education and the Illinois Community College Board shall work
14with member institutions to establish geographic regional
15hubs, including public universities and the proximate
16community colleges responsible for serving each regional hub.
17(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)
 
18    (110 ILCS 28/20)
19    Sec. 20. Membership; functions.
20    (a) Membership in the Consortium shall include all public
21universities and community colleges in this State that offer
22early childhood programs. Membership by private,
23not-for-profit universities is optional and conditional on the
24acceptance of the terms adopted by the public members, the
25related administrative rules, and the provisions of this Act.

 

 

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1For-profit institutions of higher education are not eligible
2for membership in the Consortium. Participating institutions
3must be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and
4entitled to offer Gateways Credentials.
5    (b) The members of the Consortium shall operate jointly
6and in cooperation through regional hubs to provide
7streamlined paths for students to attain associate degrees,
8bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, certificates, and
9Gateways Credentials and other licensure endorsements in early
10childhood education. The priority shall be to focus on the
11incumbent workforce, which includes working adults who require
12programs of study that offer flexibility in the times courses
13are offered, location, and format. The Consortium shall
14cooperate in all of the following:
15        (1) Providing course offerings within each regional
16    hub in online, hybrid, and in-person formats that are
17    available to any student enrolled in a member institution
18    in that hub for occasions in which a particular course is
19    not available at the student's home institution. In this
20    paragraph (1), "not available" may mean the course is not
21    offered during a term, at a time, or in a format that works
22    best for the student. Courses taken at any member
23    institution shall be accepted toward the student's degree
24    at any other member institution. Course offerings across
25    institutions regional hubs may also be provided by an
26    agreement between Consortium members. All course

 

 

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1    registration shall take place in consultation with a
2    student's academic advisor.
3        (2) Shared responsibilities through the Consortium and
4    within and across the State regional hubs to expand access
5    for students.
6        (3) Transfers in accordance with Section 130-10 of the
7    Transitions in Education Act.
8        (4) The development of standardized methods for
9    awarding credit for prior learning.
10        (5) The support necessary for student access,
11    persistence, and completion shall be provided by the home
12    institution, unless otherwise provided by agreement
13    between Consortium members.
14        (6) Admissions, financial arrangements, registration,
15    and advising services shall be functions of the home
16    institution but shall be honored across the Consortium.
17        (7) Member institutions working with their regional
18    pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and early childhood
19    employer partners to determine demand throughout the
20    region.
21        (8) Data-sharing agreements.
22        (9) An agreement that students enrolled in associate
23    degree programs are encouraged to complete the associate
24    degree program prior to transferring to a bachelor's
25    degree program.
26        (10) Development of other shared agreements and terms

 

 

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1    necessary to implement the Consortium and its
2    responsibilities.
3    By January 31, 2022, the Consortium shall decide how to
4assign college credit for the incumbent workers who have a
5Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and for future
6workers obtaining a CDA.
7    (c) The Consortium may facilitate or implement the
8following if deemed beneficial and feasible:
9        (1) the creation of an open education resource
10    library;
11        (2) support and training for program coaches and
12    cross-institutional navigators; and
13        (3) support for the development, implementation, and
14    participation in a statewide registry system through the
15    Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral
16    Agencies (INCCRRA) to provide tracking and data
17    capabilities for students across the system as they attain
18    competency through coursework.
19(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)
 
20    (110 ILCS 28/25)
21    Sec. 25. Advisory committee; membership.
22    (a) The Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community
23College Board, the State Board of Education, the Department of
24Human Services, and the Governor's Office of Early Childhood
25Development shall jointly convene a Consortium advisory

 

 

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1committee to provide guidance on the operation of the
2Consortium.
3    (b) Membership on the advisory committee shall be
4comprised of employers and experts appointed by the Board of
5Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the
6Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, and the
7State Board of Education. Membership shall also include all of
8the following members:
9        (1) An employer from a community-based child care
10    provider, appointed by the Governor's Office of Early
11    Childhood Development.
12        (2) An employer from a for-profit child care provider,
13    appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood
14    Development.
15        (3) An employer from a nonprofit child care provider,
16    appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood
17    Development.
18        (4) A provider of family child care, appointed by the
19    Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
20        (5) An employer located in southern Illinois,
21    appointed by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood
22    Development.
23        (6) An employer located in central Illinois, appointed
24    by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
25        (7) At least one member who represents an urban school
26    district, appointed by the State Board of Education.

 

 

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1        (8) At least one member who represents a suburban
2    school district, appointed by the State Board of
3    Education.
4        (9) At least one member who represents a rural school
5    district, appointed by the State Board of Education.
6        (10) At least one member who represents a school
7    district in a city with a population of 500,000 or more,
8    appointed by the State Board of Education.
9        (11) Two early childhood advocates with statewide
10    expertise in early childhood workforce issues, appointed
11    by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
12        (12) The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and the
13    Minority Spokesperson or a designee of the Senate
14    Committee on Higher Education.
15        (13) The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson and the
16    Minority Spokesperson or a designee of the House Committee
17    on Higher Education.
18        (14) One member representing the Illinois Community
19    College Board, who shall serve as co-chairperson,
20    appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
21        (15) One member representing the Board of Higher
22    Education, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by
23    the Board of Higher Education.
24        (16) One member representing the Illinois Student
25    Assistance Commission, appointed by the Illinois Student
26    Assistance Commission Board of Higher Education.

 

 

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1        (17) One member representing the State Board of
2    Education, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by
3    the State Board of Education.
4        (18) One member representing the Governor's Office of
5    Early Childhood Development, who shall serve as
6    co-chairperson, appointed by the Governor's Office of
7    Early Childhood Development.
8        (19) One member representing the Department of Human
9    Services, who shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by
10    the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
11        (20) One member representing INCCRRA, appointed by the
12    Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.
13        (21) One member representing the Department of
14    Children and Family Services, appointed by the Governor's
15    Office of Early Childhood Development.
16        (22) One member representing an organization that
17    advocates on behalf of community college trustees,
18    appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
19        (23) One member of a union representing child care and
20    early childhood providers, appointed by the Governor's
21    Office of Early Childhood Development.
22        (24) Two members of unions representing higher
23    education faculty, appointed by the Board of Higher
24    Education.
25        (25) A representative from the College of Education of
26    an urban public university, appointed by the Board of

 

 

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1    Higher Education.
2        (26) A representative from the College of Education of
3    a suburban public university, appointed by the Board of
4    Higher Education.
5        (27) A representative from the College of Education of
6    a rural public university, appointed by the Board of
7    Higher Education.
8        (28) A representative from the College of Education of
9    a private university, appointed by the Board of Higher
10    Education.
11        (29) A representative of an urban community college,
12    appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
13        (30) A representative of a suburban community college,
14    appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
15        (31) A representative of rural community college,
16    appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.
17    (c) The advisory committee shall meet at least twice a
18year quarterly. The committee meetings shall be open to the
19public in accordance with the provisions of the Open Meetings
20Act.
21    (d) Except for the co-chairpersons of the advisory
22council, the initial terms for advisory committee members
23after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd
24General Assembly shall set by lottery at the first meeting
25after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 103rd
26General Assembly as follows:

 

 

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1        (1) One-third of members shall serve a 1-year term.
2        (2) One-third of members shall serve a 2-year term.
3        (3) One-third of members shall serve a 3-year term.
4    (e) The initial term of co-chairpersons of the advisory
5councils shall be for 3 years.
6    (f) After the initial term, each subsequent term for the
7members of the advisory committee shall be for 3 years or until
8a successor is appointed.
9    (g) The members of the advisory committee shall serve
10without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement
11for all necessary expenses incurred in the performance of
12their official duties as members of the advisory committee
13from funds appropriated for that purpose.
14(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)
 
15    (110 ILCS 28/30)
16    Sec. 30. Reporting. The Consortium shall report to the
17General Assembly, to the Senate and House Committees with
18oversight over higher education, to the Governor, and to the
19advisory committee on the progress made by the Consortium. A
20report must include, but is not limited to, all of the
21following information:
22        (1) Student enrollment numbers by academic year for
23    the fall and spring terms or semesters, retention rates,
24    persistence, and completion in relevant associate,
25    baccalaureate, and credential programs, including

 

 

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1    demographic data that is disaggregated by race, ethnicity,
2    geography, higher education sector, and federal Pell Grant
3    status, reported annually twice per year. Completion
4    numbers and rates, employer type, and years worked shall
5    be reported annually.
6        (2) For students enrolled in early childhood programs,
7    average assessed tuition, average Tuition rates charged
8    and net price, number of students receiving student loans,
9    and average loan amount prices paid, reported both as
10    including and excluding student loans, by enrolled members
11    of the incumbent workforce, reported annually.
12        (3) Outreach plans to recruit and enroll incumbent
13    workforce members, reported annually twice per year.
14        (4) Participation of the incumbent workforce in
15    outreach programs, which may include participation in an
16    informational session, social media engagement, or other
17    activities, reported annually twice per year.
18        (5) Student academic and holistic support plans to
19    help the enrolled incumbent workforce persist in their
20    education, reported annually.
21        (6) Evidence of engagement and responsiveness to the
22    needs of employer partners, reported annually.
23        (7) The Consortium budget including the use of federal
24    funds, reported annually.
25        (8) Member contributions, including financial,
26    physical, or in-kind contributions, provided to the

 

 

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1    Consortium, reported annually.
2        (9) Information on Early Childhood Access Consortium
3    for Equity Scholarships awarded under the Higher Education
4    Student Assistance Act, including demographic data that is
5    disaggregated by race and ethnicity, federal Pell Grant
6    eligibility status, geography, age, gender, and higher
7    education sector, reported annually. Employer type and
8    years worked, as provided by students via the scholarship
9    application, reported annually. To the extent possible
10    given available data and resources, information on
11    scholarship recipients' subsequent employment in the early
12    childhood care and education field in this State.
13(Source: P.A. 102-174, eff. 7-28-21.)
 
14    Section 15. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is
15amended by adding Section 65.125 as follows:
 
16    (110 ILCS 947/65.125 new)
17    Sec. 65.125. Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity
18Scholarship Program.
19    (a) As used in this Section, "incumbent workforce" has the
20meaning ascribed to that term in the Early Childhood Access
21Consortium for Equity Act.
22    (b) Subject to appropriation, the Commission shall
23implement and administer an early childhood educator
24scholarship program, to be known as the Early Childhood Access

 

 

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1Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program. Under the Program,
2the Commission shall annually award scholarships to early
3childhood education students enrolled in institutions of
4higher education participating in the Early Childhood Access
5Consortium for Equity under the Early Childhood Access
6Consortium for Equity Act with preference given to members of
7the incumbent workforce.
8    (c) To ensure alignment with Consortium goals and changing
9workforce needs, the Commission shall work in partnership with
10the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community
11College Board in program design, and the Board of Higher
12Education and the Illinois Community College Board shall
13solicit feedback from the Consortium advisory committee
14established under Section 25 of the Early Childhood Access
15Consortium for Equity Act.
16    (d) In awarding a scholarship under this Section, the
17Commission may give preference to applicants who received a
18scholarship under this Section during the prior academic year,
19to applicants with financial need, or both.
20    (e) Prior to receiving scholarship assistance for any
21academic year, each recipient of a scholarship awarded under
22this Section shall be required by the Commission to sign an
23agreement under which the recipient pledges to continue or
24return to teaching or direct services in the early childhood
25care and education field in this State after they complete
26their program of study.

 

 

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1    (f) The Commission may adopt any rules necessary to
2implement and administer the Program.
 
3    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
4becoming law.".