The Grow Your Own Teacher preparation programs established under this Act shall comprise a major new statewide initiative, known as the Grow Your Own Teacher Education Initiative, to prepare highly skilled, committed teachers who will teach in hard-to-staff schools, including within the Department of Juvenile Justice School District, and hard-to-staff teaching positions and who will remain in these schools for substantial periods of time.
     The Grow Your Own Teacher Education Initiative shall help to create a statewide pipeline of teachers who are likely to become effective teachers statewide in hard-to-staff schools serving a substantial percentage of low-income students and hard-to-staff teaching positions in schools serving a substantial percentage of low-income students. Further, the Initiative shall increase the diversity of teachers, including diversity based on race and ethnicity.
     The Grow Your Own Teacher Education Initiative shall ensure educational rigor by effectively preparing candidates in accredited bachelor’s degree programs in teaching, through which graduates shall meet the requirements to secure an Illinois initial teaching certificate.