Education (Teachers)

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that beginning with continuing education coursework commenced on or after July 1, 2026, a school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer may recognize graduate-level continuing education coursework for purposes of salary advancement or lane changes only if the continuing education coursework meets specified requirements. Provides that nothing in the provisions impairs the ability of the parties to a collective bargaining agreement to negotiate salary schedules or compensation structures, as long as any graduate-level continuing education coursework recognized for salary advancement or lane changes complies with those specified requirements. Allows the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Board of Higher Education, to adopt rules as necessary to implement the provisions. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the School Code. Requires, on or before the 2027-2028 school year, each school board to adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that limits the use of wireless communication devices by students during instructional time to the greatest extent possible. Provides that the wireless communication device policy shall be developed in consultation with the parent-teacher advisory committee. Establishes exceptions for wireless communication device use during instructional time. Requires each school board to review its wireless communication device policy in consultation with the parent-teacher advisory committee at least once every 3 years and make any necessary and appropriate revisions to the policy. Provides that a school district shall publicly post the policy on its website. Provides that, if the school district does not operate a website, then the school district shall provide a copy of the policy to the parents or guardians of every student enrolled in the school district. Effective immediately.

Amends the Downstate Teacher and Chicago Teacher Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that none of the benefits provided for in those Articles shall be paid to any person who is convicted of any crime under the Sex Offenses Article of the Criminal Code of 2012 or of a crime that requires registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act. Provides that none of the benefits shall be paid to a person during a criminal investigation for acts that constitute a crime under the Sex Offenses Article of the Criminal Code of 2012 or to a person during a criminal proceeding for a violation of Article 11 of the Criminal Code of 2012. If criminal charges under the Sex Offenses Article of the Criminal Code of 2012 are dismissed with prejudice or the person is acquitted of those criminal charges, then the right to benefit payments shall resume. Provides that none of the benefits shall be paid to a person during an investigation by an inspector general in connection with acts of sexual misconduct committed against a student. Provides that, if the inspector general finds that the allegations of sexual misconduct are substantiated, then none of the benefits shall be paid to that person. Provides that, if the inspector general finds that the allegations of sexual misconduct against a student are without merit, unsubstantiated, or unfounded, then the right to benefit payments shall resume. Specifies that provisions concerning the forfeiture of benefits apply without regard to whether the person resigned or was terminated from employment. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act apply only to a person who first becomes a teacher on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Makes other changes.

Amends the School Code. In a provision regarding an optional alternative evaluative dismissal process for teacher evaluations, removes the definition of and references to "student growth components". Makes the following changes in the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article: Removes the definitions of and references to "implementation date", "Race to the Top Grant", and "School Improvement Grant". Provides that, beginning July 1, 2025, each school district may incorporate the use of data and indicators on student growth as a factor in rating teaching performance into its evaluation plan for all teachers in contractual continued service and teachers not in contractual continued service (now, a school district is required to incorporate student growth data and indicators as a significant factor). Makes other changes concerning student growth. Changes the components of an evaluation plan for a teacher's performance. Makes changes concerning a principal's or assistant principal's evaluation. With respect to the types of rules the State Board of Education may adopt, removes the inclusion of rules that (i) define the term "significant" factor" for purposes of including consideration of student growth in performance ratings and (ii) establish a model evaluation plan for use by school districts in which student growth shall comprise 50% of the performance rating. Allows a school district (rather than only a school district with 500,000 or more inhabitants) to use an annual State assessment as a measure of student growth for purposes of teacher or principal evaluations. Removes and changes outdated provisions. Makes other and conforming changes. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to set, by rule, the maximum amount of classes a teaching assistant may teach without a professor, instructor, or teacher present.