105 ILCS 5/2-3.66a
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 105 - SCHOOLS|105 ILCS 5/ - School Code.|Article 2 - State Board of Education - Powers and Duties

 (from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.66a)Sec. 2-3.66a.     WECE program.     The State Board of Education is  authorized to develop and establish a work experience and career  exploration program.  Such program, if established as authorized by this  Section shall be designed to provide career related classroom instruction  and cooperative work experience for 14 and 15 year old potential dropouts  who are full time students in the regular school program.  Participation in  any work experience and career exploration program established under this  Section shall provide school credit for successful completion of the class  and paid work experience.  The purpose of the program shall be to help  academically disadvantaged students with the following special services:  (1) basic education development and enrichment leading to improved  self-image; (2) career education coupled with work training experiences,  not exceeding 23 hours per week, provided by the private sector; and (3)  motivation leading to continuation in school after age 16.The State Board of Education is authorized to fund school district work  experience and career exploration programs, with priority being given to those  school districts which have annual dropout rate data and unemployment rates  greater than the Statewide average for the previous year.Funds for a work experience and career exploration program established  under this Section shall be distributed to eligible school districts based  on relative ability to pay factors and upon the number of economically  disadvantaged students (E.C.I.A. Chapter I pupils) in the districts.  The  State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary  for implementation and continuation of any work experience and career  exploration program established as authorized by this Section.From funds distributed for purposes of this Section, the State Board of  Education is authorized to approve applications from qualifying school  districts to help meet each such district's costs of employing teacher  coordinators, teacher coordinators' travel expenses, student transportation  costs and added training costs to employers.Each person employed as a teacher coordinator pursuant to this Section  shall possess one year (2,000 hours) of employment in an occupation or  occupations directly related to those career or employment areas with  respect to which classroom instruction or cooperative work experience is to  be provided under the program, and 6 semester hours of formal coursework in  the area of organization and administration of work experience and career  exploration education, including techniques of coordinating on-the-job  experiences and individualized instructional methodology.Each work experience and career exploration program shall be limited to a minimum of  12 students and a maximum of 25 students per full-time teacher  coordinator.  Student limitation is based on the need for individual  instruction and supervision time equivalent to one-half hour or more per  week per student.  Also, each qualified teacher coordinator shall be  required to provide a minimum of 200 minutes of instruction per week on  general and specific topics related to careers and employment.School district applications for participation in a work experience and  career exploration program established under this Section shall be approved  by the State Board of Education.    (Source: P.A. 86-1441.)