Bill Text: IL HB5627 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Chaptered


Bill Title: Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Makes changes to provisions concerning the licensure powers of the State Board of Education, the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (including adding 2 members), types of licenses (including removing and adding certain endorsements on an educator license with stipulations), endorsements on professional educator licenses, educator testing, the minimum requirements for educators trained in other states or countries, application fees, license renewal, the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for Teachers, alternative route to superintendent endorsement programs, and the approval of educator preparation institutions. Effective July 1, 2018.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 26-10)

Status: (Passed) 2018-06-29 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 100-0596 [HB5627 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HB5627-Chaptered.html



Public Act 100-0596
HB5627 EnrolledLRB100 17397 AXK 35881 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Illinois Pension Code is amended by changing
Section 16-118 as follows:
(40 ILCS 5/16-118) (from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 16-118)
Sec. 16-118. Retirement. "Retirement": Entry upon a
retirement annuity or receipt of a single-sum retirement
benefit granted under this Article after termination of active
service as a teacher.
(a) An annuitant receiving a retirement annuity other than
a disability retirement annuity may accept employment as a
teacher from a school board or other employer specified in
Section 16-106 without impairing retirement status, if that
employment: (1) is not within the school year during which
service was terminated; and (2) does not exceed the following:
(i) before July 1, 2001, 100 paid days or 500 paid
hours in any school year;
(ii) (during the period beginning July 1, 2001 through
June 30, 2011, 120 paid days or 600 paid hours in each
school year; )
(iii) during the period beginning July 1, 2011 through
June 30, 2018, 100 paid days or 500 paid hours in each
school year;
(iv) beginning July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020, 120
paid days or 600 paid hours in each school year, but not
more than 100 paid days in the same classroom; and
(v) beginning July 1, 2020, 100 paid days or 500 paid
hours in each school year.
Where such permitted employment is partly on a daily and
partly on an hourly basis, a day shall be considered as 5
hours.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to an annuitant who
returns to teaching under the program established in Section
16-150.1, for the duration of his or her participation in that
program.
(Source: P.A. 93-320, eff. 7-23-03; 94-914, eff. 6-23-06.)
Section 10. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
21B-5, 21B-10, 21B-20, 21B-25, 21B-30, 21B-35, 21B-40, 21B-45,
21B-50, 21B-55, and 21B-105 and by adding Sections 10-20.67 and
34-18.60 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/10-20.67 new)
Sec. 10-20.67. Short-term substitute teacher training.
(a) Each school board shall, in collaboration with its
teachers or, if applicable, the exclusive bargaining
representative of its teachers, jointly develop a short-term
substitute teacher training program that provides individuals
who hold a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License under Section
21B-20 of this Code with information on curriculum, classroom
management techniques, school safety, and district and
building operations. The State Board of Education may develop a
model short-term substitute teacher training program for use by
a school board under this subsection (a) if the school board
and its teachers or, if applicable, the exclusive bargaining
representative of its teachers agree to use the State Board's
model. A school board with a substitute teacher training
program in place before the effective date of this amendatory
Act of the 100th General Assembly may utilize that program to
satisfy the requirements of this subsection (a).
(b) Nothing in this Section prohibits a school board from
offering substitute training to substitute teachers licensed
under paragraph (3) of Section 21B-20 of this Code or to
substitute teachers holding a Professional Educator License.
(c) This Section is repealed on July 1, 2023.
(105 ILCS 5/21B-5)
Sec. 21B-5. Licensure powers of the State Board of
Education.
(a) Recognizing that the education of our citizens is the
single most important influence on the prosperity and success
of this State and recognizing that new developments in
education require a flexible approach to our educational
system, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall have the
power and authority to do all of the following:
(1) Set standards for teaching, supervising, or
otherwise holding licensed employment in the public
schools of this State and administer the licensure process
as provided in this Article.
(2) Approve, evaluate, and sanction educator
preparation programs.
(3) Enter into agreements with other states relative to
reciprocal approval of educator preparation programs.
(4) Establish standards for the issuance of new types
of educator licenses.
(5) Establish a code of ethics for all educators.
(6) Maintain a system of licensure examination aligned
with standards determined by the State Board of Education.
(7) Take such other action relating to the improvement
of instruction in the public schools as is appropriate and
consistent with applicable laws.
(b) Only the State Board Superintendent of Education,
acting in accordance with the applicable provisions of this
Article and rules, shall have the authority to issue or endorse
any license required for teaching, supervising, or otherwise
holding licensed employment in the public schools; and no other
State agency shall have any power or authority (i) to establish
or prescribe any qualifications or other requirements
applicable to the issuance or endorsement of any such license
or (ii) to establish or prescribe any licensure or equivalent
requirement that must be satisfied in order to teach,
supervise, or hold licensed employment in the public schools.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-10)
Sec. 21B-10. State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board.
(a) The State Teacher Certification Board, which had been
established under Section 21-13 of the School Code prior to
this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, shall be
renamed the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
References in law to the State Teacher Certification Board
shall mean the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall
consist of the State Superintendent of Education or a
representative appointed by him or her, who shall be ex-officio
chairperson, 5 administrative or faculty members of public or
private colleges or universities located in this State, 3
administrators and 10 classroom teachers employed in the public
schools (5 of whom must be members of and nominated by a
statewide professional teachers' organization and 5 of whom
must be members of and nominated by a different statewide
professional teachers' organization), and one regional
superintendent of schools, all of whom shall be appointed by
the State Board of Education; provided that at least one of the
administrators and at least 3 of the classroom teachers so
appointed must be employees of a school district that is
subject to the provisions of Article 34 of this Code. A
statewide professional teachers' organization and a different
statewide professional teachers' organization shall submit to
the State Board of Education for consideration at least 3 names
of accomplished teachers for every one vacancy or expiring term
in a classroom teacher position. The nominations submitted to
the State Board of Education under this Section to fill a
vacancy or an expiring term shall be advisory. Nomination for
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board members must be
submitted to the State Board of Education within 30 days after
the vacancy or vacancies occur. Nominations to fill an expiring
term must be submitted to the State Board of Education at least
30 days before the expiration of that term. Notwithstanding any
other provisions of this Section, if a sufficient number of
nominations are not received by the State Board of Education
for a vacancy or expiring term within the 30-day period, then
the State Board of Education may appoint any qualified person,
in the same manner as the original appointment, to fill the
vacancy or expiring term. The regular term of each member is 3
years, and an individual may be appointed for no more than 2
consecutive terms. The term of an appointed member of the State
Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall expire on June
30 of his or her final year.
(b) The State Board of Education shall appoint a secretary
of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
(c) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
shall hold regular meetings at least quarterly and such other
special meetings as may be necessary.
(d) The necessary expenses of the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board shall be provided through the
State Board of Education. The State Board of Education, in
consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board, may adopt such rules as may be necessary for the
administration of this Article.
(e) (Blank). Individuals serving on the State Teacher
Certification Board on June 30, 2011 under Section 21-13 of
this Code shall continue to serve on the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board until the scheduled expiration
of their respective terms.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-20)
Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. The Before July 1, 2013,
the State Board of Education shall implement a system of
educator licensure, whereby individuals employed in school
districts who are required to be licensed must have one of the
following licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii)
an a professional educator license with stipulations; or (iii)
a substitute teaching license; or (iv) until June 30, 2023, a
short-term substitute teaching license. References in law
regarding individuals certified or certificated or required to
be certified or certificated under Article 21 of this Code
shall also include individuals licensed or required to be
licensed under this Article. The first year of all licenses
ends on June 30 following one full year of the license being
issued.
The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for
licenses and endorsements under this Section.
(1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i)
have successfully completed an approved educator
preparation program and are recommended for licensure by
the Illinois institution offering the educator preparation
program, (ii) have successfully completed the required
testing under Section 21B-30 of this Code, (iii) have
successfully completed coursework on the psychology of,
the identification of, and the methods of instruction for
the exceptional child, including without limitation
children with learning disabilities, (iv) have
successfully completed coursework in methods of reading
and reading in the content area, and (v) have met all other
criteria established by rule of the State Board of
Education shall be issued a Professional Educator License.
All Professional Educator Licenses are valid until June 30
immediately following 5 years of the license being issued.
The Professional Educator License shall be endorsed with
specific areas and grade levels in which the individual is
eligible to practice.
Individuals can receive subsequent endorsements on the
Professional Educator License. Subsequent endorsements
shall require a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework
in the endorsement area, unless otherwise specified by
rule, and passage of the applicable content area test,
unless otherwise specified by rule.
(2) Educator License with Stipulations. An Educator
License with Stipulations shall be issued an endorsement
that limits the license holder to one particular position
or does not require completion of an approved educator
program or both.
An individual with an Educator License with
Stipulations must not be employed by a school district or
any other entity to replace any presently employed teacher
who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.
An Educator License with Stipulations may be issued
with the following endorsements:
(A) (Blank). Provisional educator. A provisional
educator endorsement in a specific content area or
areas on an Educator License with Stipulations may be
issued to an applicant who holds an educator license
from another state, U.S. territory, or foreign country
and who, at the time of applying for an Illinois
license, does not meet the minimum requirements under
Section 21B-35 of this Code, but does, at a minimum,
meet the following requirements:
(i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
bachelor's degree, unless a master's degree is
required for the endorsement, from a regionally
accredited college or university or, for
individuals educated in a country other than the
United States, the equivalent of a minimum of a
bachelor's degree issued in the United States,
unless a master's degree is required for the
endorsement.
(ii) Has passed or passes a test of basic
skills and content area test prior to or within one
year after issuance of the provisional educator
endorsement on the Educator License with
Stipulations. If an individual who holds an
Educator License with Stipulations endorsed for
provisional educator has not passed a test of basic
skills and applicable content area test or tests
within one year after issuance of the endorsement,
the endorsement shall expire on June 30 following
one full year of the endorsement being issued. If
such an individual has passed the test of basic
skills and applicable content area test or tests
either prior to issuance of the endorsement or
within one year after issuance of the endorsement,
the endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately
following 2 years of the license being issued,
during which time any and all coursework
deficiencies must be met and any and all additional
testing deficiencies must be met.
In addition, a provisional educator endorsement
for principals or superintendents may be issued if the
individual meets the requirements set forth in
subdivisions (1) and (3) of subsection (b-5) of Section
21B-35 of this Code. Applicants who have not been
entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation
program at an Illinois institution of higher education
shall not receive a provisional educator endorsement
if the person completed an alternative licensure
program in another state, unless the program has been
determined to be equivalent to Illinois program
requirements.
Notwithstanding any other requirements of this
Section, a service member or spouse of a service member
may obtain a Professional Educator License with
Stipulations, and a provisional educator endorsement
in a specific content area or areas, if he or she holds
a valid teaching certificate or license in good
standing from another state, meets the qualifications
of educators outlined in Section 21B-15 of this Code,
and has not engaged in any misconduct that would
prohibit an individual from obtaining a license
pursuant to Illinois law, including without limitation
any administrative rules of the State Board of
Education.
In this Section, "service member" means any person
who, at the time of application under this Section, is
an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces
or any reserve component of the United States Armed
Forces or the National Guard of any state,
commonwealth, or territory of the United States or the
District of Columbia.
A provisional educator endorsement is valid until
June 30 immediately following 2 years of the license
being issued, provided that any remaining testing and
coursework deficiencies are met as set forth in this
Section. Failure to satisfy all stated deficiencies
shall mean the individual, including any service
member or spouse who has obtained a Professional
Educator License with Stipulations and a provisional
educator endorsement in a specific content area or
areas, is ineligible to receive a Professional
Educator License at that time. An Educator License with
Stipulations endorsed for provisional educator shall
not be renewed for individuals who hold an Educator
License with Stipulations and who have held a position
in a public school or non-public school recognized by
the State Board of Education.
(B) Alternative provisional educator. An
alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
applicant who, at the time of applying for the
endorsement, has done all of the following:
(i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
college or university with a minimum of a
bachelor's degree.
(ii) Successfully completed the first phase of
the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
Teachers, as described in Section 21B-50 of this
Code.
(iii) Passed a test of basic skills and content
area test, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
The alternative provisional educator endorsement is
valid for 2 years of teaching and may be renewed for a
third year by an individual meeting the requirements set
forth in Section 21B-50 of this Code.
(C) Alternative provisional superintendent. An
alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations entitles the
holder to serve only as a superintendent or assistant
superintendent in a school district's central office.
This endorsement may only be issued to an applicant
who, at the time of applying for the endorsement, has
done all of the following:
(i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
college or university with a minimum of a master's
degree in a management field other than education.
(ii) Been employed for a period of at least 5
years in a management level position in a field
other than education.
(iii) Successfully completed the first phase
of an alternative route to superintendent
endorsement program, as provided in Section 21B-55
of this Code.
(iv) Passed a test of basic skills and content
area tests required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
The endorsement is valid may be registered for 2
fiscal years in order to complete one full year of
serving as a superintendent or assistant
superintendent.
(D) (Blank). Resident teacher endorsement. A
resident teacher endorsement on an Educator License
with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who, at
the time of applying for the endorsement, has done all
of the following:
(i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education with a minimum of a
bachelor's degree.
(ii) Enrolled in an approved Illinois educator
preparation program.
(iii) Passed a test of basic skills and content
area test, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
The resident teacher endorsement on an Educator
License with Stipulations is valid for 4 years of
teaching and shall not be renewed.
A resident teacher may teach only under the
direction of a licensed teacher, who shall act as the
resident mentor teacher, and may not teach in place of
a licensed teacher. A resident teacher endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations shall no longer
be valid after June 30, 2017.
(E) Career and technical educator. A career and
technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has
a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework from a
regionally accredited institution of higher education
or an accredited trade and technical institution and
has a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience outside of
education in each area to be taught.
The career and technical educator endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
endorsement being issued and may be renewed. For
individuals who were issued the career and technical
educator endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations on or after January 1, 2015, the license
may be renewed if the individual passes a test of basic
skills or test of work proficiency, as required under
Section 21B-30 of this Code.
An individual who holds a valid career and
technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
with Stipulations but does not hold a bachelor's degree
may substitute teach in career and technical education
classrooms.
(F) Part-time provisional career and technical
educator or provisional career and technical educator.
A part-time provisional career and technical educator
endorsement or a provisional career and technical
educator endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has a
minimum of 8,000 hours of work experience in the skill
for which the applicant is seeking the endorsement. It
is the responsibility of each employing school board
and regional office of education to provide
verification, in writing, to the State Superintendent
of Education at the time the application is submitted
that no qualified teacher holding a Professional
Educator License or an Educator License with
Stipulations with a career and technical educator
endorsement is available and that actual circumstances
require such issuance.
The provisional career and technical educator
endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
the endorsement being issued and may be renewed for 5
years. For individuals who were issued the provisional
career and technical educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations on or after January
1, 2015, the license may be renewed if the individual
passes a test of basic skills or test of work
proficiency, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
A part-time provisional career and technical
educator endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations may be issued for teaching no more than 2
courses of study for grades 6 through 12. The part-time
provisional career and technical educator endorsement
on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
endorsement being issued and may be renewed for 5 years
if the individual makes application for renewal.
An individual who holds a provisional or part-time
provisional career and technical educator endorsement
on an Educator License with Stipulations but does not
hold a bachelor's degree may substitute teach in career
and technical education classrooms.
(G) Transitional bilingual educator. A
transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for
the purpose of providing instruction in accordance
with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who
provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all
of the following requirements:
(i) Possesses adequate speaking, reading, and
writing ability in the language other than English
in which transitional bilingual education is
offered.
(ii) Has the ability to successfully
communicate in English.
(iii) Either possessed, within 5 years
previous to his or her applying for a transitional
bilingual educator endorsement, a valid and
comparable teaching certificate or comparable
authorization issued by a foreign country or holds
a degree from an institution of higher learning in
a foreign country that the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
regionally accredited institution of higher
learning in the United States.
A transitional bilingual educator endorsement
shall be valid for prekindergarten through grade 12, is
valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
the endorsement being issued, and shall not be renewed.
Persons holding a transitional bilingual educator
endorsement shall not be employed to replace any
presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be
replaced for any reason.
(H) Language endorsement. In an effort to
alleviate the shortage of teachers speaking a language
other than English in the public schools, an individual
who holds an Educator License with Stipulations may
also apply for a language endorsement, provided that
the applicant provides satisfactory evidence that he
or she meets all of the following requirements:
(i) Holds a transitional bilingual
endorsement.
(ii) Has demonstrated proficiency in the
language for which the endorsement is to be issued
by passing the applicable language content test
required by the State Board of Education.
(iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from
a regionally accredited institution of higher
education or, for individuals educated in a
country other than the United States, holds a
degree from an institution of higher learning in a
foreign country that the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
regionally accredited institution of higher
learning in the United States.
(iv) Has passed a test of basic skills, as
required under Section 21B-30 of this Code.
A language endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations is valid for prekindergarten through
grade 12 for the same validity period as the
individual's transitional bilingual educator
endorsement on the Educator License with Stipulations
and shall not be renewed.
(I) Visiting international educator. A visiting
international educator endorsement on an Educator
License with Stipulations may be issued to an
individual who is being recruited by a particular
school district that conducts formal recruitment
programs outside of the United States to secure the
services of qualified teachers and who meets all of the
following requirements:
(i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
bachelor's degree issued in the United States.
(ii) Has been prepared as a teacher at the
grade level for which he or she will be employed.
(iii) Has adequate content knowledge in the
subject to be taught.
(iv) Has an adequate command of the English
language.
A holder of a visiting international educator
endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
shall be permitted to teach in bilingual education
programs in the language that was the medium of
instruction in his or her teacher preparation program,
provided that he or she passes the English Language
Proficiency Examination or another test of writing
skills in English identified by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board.
A visiting international educator endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 3
years and shall not be renewed.
(J) Paraprofessional educator. A paraprofessional
educator endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a
high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and
either holds an associate's degree or a minimum of 60
semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education or has passed a test of
basic skills required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code. The paraprofessional educator endorsement is
valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
the endorsement being issued and may be renewed through
application and payment of the appropriate fee, as
required under Section 21B-40 of this Code. An
individual who holds only a paraprofessional educator
endorsement is not subject to additional requirements
in order to renew the endorsement.
(K) Chief school business official. A chief school
business official endorsement on an Educator License
with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
qualifies by having a master's degree or higher, 2
years of full-time administrative experience in school
business management or 2 years of university-approved
practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester
hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the
State Board of Education for the preparation of school
business administrators and by passage of the
applicable State tests, including a test of basic
skills and applicable content area test.
The chief school business official endorsement may
also be affixed to the Educator License with
Stipulations of any holder who qualifies by having a
master's degree in business administration, finance,
accounting, or public administration and who completes
an additional 6 semester hours of internship in school
business management from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education and passes the
applicable State tests, including a test of basic
skills and applicable content area test. This
endorsement shall be required for any individual
employed as a chief school business official.
The chief school business official endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
endorsement being issued and may be renewed if the
license holder completes renewal requirements as
required for individuals who hold a Professional
Educator License endorsed for chief school business
official under Section 21B-45 of this Code and such
rules as may be adopted by the State Board of
Education.
The State Board of Education shall adopt any rules
necessary to implement Public Act 100-288 this
amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.
(L) Provisional in-state educator. A provisional
in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License
with Stipulations may be issued to a candidate who has
completed an Illinois-approved educator preparation
program at an Illinois institution of higher education
and who has not successfully completed an
evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness but
who meets all of the following requirements:
(i) Holds at least a bachelor's degree.
(ii) Has completed an approved educator
preparation program at an Illinois institution.
(iii) Has passed a test of basic skills and
applicable content area test, as required by
Section 21B-30 of this Code.
(iv) Has attempted an evidence-based
assessment of teacher effectiveness and received a
minimum score on that assessment, as established
by the State Board of Education in consultation
with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board.
A provisional in-state educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations is valid for one
full fiscal year after the date of issuance and may not
be renewed.
(M) School support personnel intern. A school
support personnel intern endorsement on an Educator
License with Stipulations may be issued as specified by
rule.
(N) Special education area. A special education
area endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations may be issued as defined and specified by
rule.
(3) Substitute Teaching License. A Substitute Teaching
License may be issued to qualified applicants for
substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools,
prekindergarten through grade 12. Substitute Teaching
Licenses are not eligible for endorsements. Applicants for
a Substitute Teaching License must hold a bachelor's degree
or higher from a regionally accredited institution of
higher education.
Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years.
Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute
teaching in every county of this State. If an individual
has had his or her Professional Educator License or
Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked or
has not met the renewal requirements for licensure, then
that individual is not eligible to obtain a Substitute
Teaching License.
A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a
licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing
board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under
contract because of an emergency situation, then a district
may employ a substitute teacher for no longer than 30
calendar days per each vacant position in the district if
the district notifies the appropriate regional office of
education within 5 business days after the employment of
the substitute teacher in the emergency situation. An
emergency situation is one in which an unforeseen vacancy
has occurred and (i) a teacher is unable to fulfill his or
her contractual duties or (ii) teacher capacity needs of
the district exceed previous indications, and the district
is actively engaged in advertising to hire a fully licensed
teacher for the vacant position.
There is no limit on the number of days that a
substitute teacher may teach in a single school district,
provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer
than 90 school days for any one licensed teacher under
contract in the same school year. A substitute teacher who
holds a Professional Educator License or Educator License
with Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school
days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
same school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on
the number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do
not apply to any school district operating under Article 34
of this Code.
A school district may not require an individual who
holds a valid Professional Educator License or Educator
License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute
Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher.
(4) Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Beginning
on July 1, 2018 and until June 30, 2023, the State Board of
Education may issue a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
License. A Short-Term Substitute Teaching License may be
issued to a qualified applicant for substitute teaching in
all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through
grade 12. Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are not
eligible for endorsements. Applicants for a Short-Term
Substitute Teaching License must hold an associate's
degree or have completed at least 60 credit hours from a
regionally accredited institution of higher education.
Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for
substitute teaching in every county of this State. If an
individual has had his or her Professional Educator License
or Educator License with Stipulations suspended or
revoked, then that individual is not eligible to obtain a
Short-Term Substitute Teaching License.
The provisions of Sections 10-21.9 and 34-18.5 of this
Code apply to short-term substitute teachers.
An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
License may teach no more than 5 consecutive days per
licensed teacher who is under contract. For teacher
absences lasting 6 or more days per licensed teacher who is
under contract, a school district may not hire an
individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
License. An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute
Teaching License must complete the training program under
Section 10-20.67 or 34-18.60 of this Code to be eligible to
teach at a public school. This paragraph (4) is inoperative
on and after July 1, 2023.
(Source: P.A. 99-35, eff. 1-1-16; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-143,
eff. 7-27-15; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-8,
eff. 7-1-17; 100-13, eff. 7-1-17; 100-288, eff. 8-24-17;
revised 9-25-17.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-25)
Sec. 21B-25. Endorsement on licenses. All licenses issued
under paragraph (1) of Section 21B-20 of this Code shall be
specifically endorsed by the State Board of Education for each
content area, school support area, and administrative area for
which the holder of the license is qualified. Recognized
institutions approved to offer educator preparation programs
shall be trained to add endorsements to licenses issued to
applicants who meet all of the requirements for the endorsement
or endorsements, including passing any required tests. The
State Superintendent of Education shall randomly audit
institutions to ensure that all rules and standards are being
followed for entitlement or when endorsements are being
recommended.
(1) The State Board of Education, in consultation with
the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall
establish, by rule, the grade level and subject area
endorsements to be added to the Professional Educator
License. These rules shall outline the requirements for
obtaining each endorsement.
(2) In addition to any and all grade level and content
area endorsements developed by rule, the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board, shall develop the
requirements for the following endorsements:
(A) (Blank). General administrative endorsement. A
general administrative endorsement shall be added to a
Professional Educator License, provided that an
approved program has been completed. An individual
holding a general administrative endorsement may work
only as a principal or assistant principal or in a
related or similar position, as determined by the State
Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
Beginning on September 1, 2014, the general
administrative endorsement shall no longer be issued
except to individuals who completed all coursework
requirements for the receipt of the general
administrative endorsement by September 1, 2014, who
have completed all testing requirements by June 30,
2016, and who apply for the endorsement on or before
June 30, 2016. Individuals who hold a valid and
registered administrative certificate with a general
administrative endorsement issued under Section 21-7.1
of this Code or a Professional Educator License with a
general administrative endorsement issued prior to
September 1, 2014 and who have served for at least one
full year during the 5 years prior in a position
requiring a general administrative endorsement shall,
upon request to the State Board of Education and
through July 1, 2015, have their respective general
administrative endorsement converted to a principal
endorsement on the Professional Educator License.
Candidates shall not be admitted to an approved general
administrative preparation program after September 1,
2012.
All other individuals holding a valid and
registered administrative certificate with a general
administrative endorsement issued pursuant to Section
21-7.1 of this Code or a general administrative
endorsement on a Professional Educator License issued
prior to September 1, 2014 shall have the general
administrative endorsement converted to a principal
endorsement on a Professional Educator License upon
request to the State Board of Education and by
completing one of the following pathways:
(i) Passage of the State principal assessment
developed by the State Board of Education.
(ii) Through July 1, 2019, completion of an
Illinois Educators' Academy course designated by
the State Superintendent of Education.
(iii) Completion of a principal preparation
program established and approved pursuant to
Section 21B-60 of this Code and applicable rules.
Individuals who do not choose to convert the
general administrative endorsement on the
administrative certificate issued pursuant to Section
21-7.1 of this Code or on the Professional Educator
License shall continue to be able to serve in any
position previously allowed under paragraph (2) of
subsection (e) of Section 21-7.1 of this Code.
The general administrative endorsement on the
Professional Educator License is available only to
individuals who, prior to September 1, 2014, had such
an endorsement on the administrative certificate
issued pursuant to Section 21-7.1 of this Code or who
already have a Professional Educator License and have
completed a general administrative program and who do
not choose to convert the general administrative
endorsement to a principal endorsement pursuant to the
options in this Section.
(B) Principal endorsement. A principal endorsement
shall be affixed to a Professional Educator License of
any holder who qualifies by having all of the
following:
(i) Successful completion of a principal
preparation program approved in accordance with
Section 21B-60 of this Code and any applicable
rules.
(ii) At least 4 total years of teaching or 4
total years of working in the capacity of school
support personnel in an Illinois public school or
nonpublic school recognized by the State Board of
Education or in an out-of-state public school or
out-of-state nonpublic school meeting out-of-state
recognition standards comparable to those approved
by the State Superintendent of Education; however,
the State Board of Education, in consultation with
the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board, shall allow, by rules, for fewer than 4
years of experience based on meeting standards set
forth in such rules, including without limitation
a review of performance evaluations or other
evidence of demonstrated qualifications.
(iii) A master's degree or higher from a
regionally accredited college or university.
(C) Chief school business official endorsement. A
chief school business official endorsement shall be
affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
holder who qualifies by having a master's degree or
higher, 2 years of full-time administrative experience
in school business management or 2 years of
university-approved practical experience, and a
minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate credit in a
program approved by the State Board of Education for
the preparation of school business administrators and
by passage of the applicable State tests. The chief
school business official endorsement may also be
affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
holder who qualifies by having a master's degree in
business administration, finance, accounting, or
public administration and who completes an additional
6 semester hours of internship in school business
management from a regionally accredited institution of
higher education and passes the applicable State
tests. This endorsement shall be required for any
individual employed as a chief school business
official.
(D) Superintendent endorsement. A superintendent
endorsement shall be affixed to the Professional
Educator License of any holder who has completed a
program approved by the State Board of Education for
the preparation of superintendents of schools, has had
at least 2 years of experience employed full-time in a
general administrative position or as a full-time
principal, director of special education, or chief
school business official in the public schools or in a
State-recognized nonpublic school in which the chief
administrator is required to have the licensure
necessary to be a principal in a public school in this
State and where a majority of the teachers are required
to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a
public school in this State, and has passed the
required State tests; or of any holder who has
completed a program that is not an Illinois-approved
educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education and that has
recognition standards comparable to those approved by
the State Superintendent of Education and holds the
general administrative, principal, or chief school
business official endorsement and who has had 2 years
of experience as a principal, director of special
education, or chief school business official while
holding a valid educator license or certificate
comparable in validity and educational and experience
requirements and has passed the appropriate State
tests, as provided in Section 21B-30 of this Code. The
superintendent endorsement shall allow individuals to
serve only as a superintendent or assistant
superintendent.
(E) Teacher leader endorsement. It shall be the
policy of this State to improve the quality of
instructional leaders by providing a career pathway
for teachers interested in serving in leadership
roles, but not as principals. The State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board, may issue a teacher
leader endorsement under this subdivision (E). Persons
who meet and successfully complete the requirements of
the endorsement shall be issued a teacher leader
endorsement on the Professional Educator License for
serving in schools in this State. Teacher leaders may
qualify to serve in such positions as department
chairs, coaches, mentors, curriculum and instruction
leaders, or other leadership positions as defined by
the district. The endorsement shall be available to
those teachers who (i) hold a Professional Educator
License, (ii) hold a master's degree or higher from a
regionally accredited institution, (iii) have
completed a program of study that has been approved by
the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and
(iv) have successfully demonstrated competencies as
defined by rule.
A teacher who meets the requirements set forth in
this Section and holds a teacher leader endorsement may
evaluate teachers pursuant to Section 24A-5 of this
Code, provided that the individual has completed the
evaluation component required by Section 24A-3 of this
Code and a teacher leader is allowed to evaluate
personnel under the respective school district's
collective bargaining agreement.
The State Board of Education, in consultation with
the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board,
may adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish
and implement the teacher leader endorsement program
and to specify the positions for which this endorsement
shall be required.
(F) Special education endorsement. A special
education endorsement in one or more areas shall be
affixed to a Professional Educator License for any
individual that meets those requirements established
by the State Board of Education in rules. Special
education endorsement areas shall include without
limitation the following:
(i) Learning Behavior Specialist I;
(ii) Learning Behavior Specialist II;
(iii) Speech Language Pathologist;
(iv) Blind or Visually Impaired;
(v) Deaf-Hard of Hearing;
(vi) Early Childhood Special Education; and
(vii) Director of Special Education.
Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the contrary,
the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may
add additional areas of special education by rule.
(G) School support personnel endorsement. School
support personnel endorsement areas shall include, but
are not limited to, school counselor, marriage and
family therapist, school psychologist, school speech
and language pathologist, school nurse, and school
social worker. This endorsement is for individuals who
are not teachers or administrators, but still require
licensure to work in an instructional support position
in a public or State-operated elementary school,
secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement
with a governing body or board of control or a charter
school operating in compliance with the Charter
Schools Law. The school support personnel endorsement
shall be affixed to the Professional Educator License
and shall meet all of the requirements established in
any rules adopted to implement this subdivision (G).
The holder of such an endorsement is entitled to all of
the rights and privileges granted holders of any other
Professional Educator License, including teacher
benefits, compensation, and working conditions.
Beginning on January 1, 2014 and ending on April
30, 2014, a person holding a Professional Educator
License with a school speech and language pathologist
(teaching) endorsement may exchange his or her school
speech and language pathologist (teaching) endorsement
for a school speech and language pathologist
(non-teaching) endorsement through application to the
State Board of Education. There shall be no cost for
this exchange.
(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-623, eff. 7-22-16;
99-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-13, eff. 7-1-17; 100-267, eff.
8-22-17; 100-288, eff. 8-24-17; revised 9-25-17.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-30)
Sec. 21B-30. Educator testing.
(a) This Section applies beginning on July 1, 2012.
(b) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall design
and implement a system of examinations, which shall be required
prior to the issuance of educator licenses. These examinations
and indicators must be based on national and State professional
teaching standards, as determined by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
and Licensure Board. The State Board of Education may adopt
such rules as may be necessary to implement and administer this
Section.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this Article,
applicants Applicants seeking a Professional Educator License
or an Educator License with Stipulations shall be required to
pass a test of basic skills before the license is issued,
unless the endorsement the individual is seeking does not
require passage of the test. All applicants completing
Illinois-approved, teacher education or school service
personnel preparation programs shall be required to pass the
State Board of Education's recognized test of basic skills
prior to starting their student teaching or starting the final
semester of their internship, unless required earlier at the
discretion of the recognized, Illinois institution in which
they are completing their approved program. An individual who
passes a test of basic skills does not need to do so again for
subsequent endorsements or other educator licenses.
(d) All applicants seeking a State license shall be
required to pass a test of content area knowledge for each area
of endorsement for which there is an applicable test. There
shall be no exception to this requirement. No candidate shall
be allowed to student teach or serve as the teacher of record
until he or she has passed the applicable content area test.
(e) (Blank). and completing their student teaching
experience no later than August 31, 2015 Prior to September 1,
2015, passage The APT shall be available through August 31,
2020.
(f) Except as otherwise provided in this Article, beginning
on September 1, 2015, all candidates completing teacher
preparation programs in this State and all candidates subject
to Section 21B-35 of this Code are required to pass a teacher
performance assessment an evidence-based assessment of teacher
effectiveness approved by the State Board of Education, in
consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board. All recognized institutions offering approved teacher
preparation programs must begin phasing in the approved teacher
performance assessment no later than July 1, 2013.
(g) Tests of basic skills and content area knowledge and
the teacher performance assessment assessment of professional
teaching shall be the tests that from time to time are
designated by the State Board of Education, in consultation
with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and
may be tests prepared by an educational testing organization or
tests designed by the State Board of Education, in consultation
with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. The
areas to be covered by a test of basic skills shall include
reading, language arts, and mathematics. The test of content
area knowledge shall assess content knowledge in a specific
subject field. The tests must be designed to be racially
neutral to ensure that no person taking the tests is
discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national
origin, or other factors unrelated to the person's ability to
perform as a licensed employee. The score required to pass the
tests shall be fixed by the State Board of Education, in
consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board. The tests shall be administered not fewer than 3 times a
year at such time and place as may be designated by the State
Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board.
The State Board shall implement a test or tests to assess
the speaking, reading, writing, and grammar skills of
applicants for an endorsement or a license issued under
subdivision (G) of paragraph (2) of Section 21B-20 of this Code
in the English language and in the language of the transitional
bilingual education program requested by the applicant.
(h) Except as provided in Section 34-6 of this Code, the
provisions of this Section shall apply equally in any school
district subject to Article 34 of this Code.
(i) The rules developed to implement and enforce the
testing requirements under this Section shall include without
limitation provisions governing test selection, test
validation and determination of a passing score,
administration of the tests, frequency of administration,
applicant fees, frequency of applicants taking the tests, the
years for which a score is valid, and appropriate special
accommodations. The State Board of Education shall develop such
rules as may be needed to ensure uniformity from year to year
in the level of difficulty for each form of an assessment.
(Source: P.A. 98-361, eff. 1-1-14; 98-581, eff. 8-27-13;
98-756, eff. 7-16-14; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-657, eff.
7-28-16; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17; revised 1-23-17.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-35)
Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in
other states or countries.
(a) Any applicant who has All applicants who have not been
entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program
at an Illinois institution of higher education applying for a
Professional Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or
school support personnel area must meet all of the following
requirements:
(1) the applicant must:
(A) hold a comparable and valid educator license or
certificate, as defined by rule, with similar grade
level and content area credentials from another state,
with the State Board of Education having the authority
to determine what constitutes similar grade level and
content area credentials from another state; and
(B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally
accredited institution of higher education; or
(2) the applicant must:
(A) have completed a state-approved program for
the licensure area sought, including coursework
concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
child, methods of reading and reading in the content
area, and instructional strategies for English
learners;
(B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally
accredited institution of higher education;
(C) have successfully met all Illinois examination
requirements, except that:
(i) an applicant who has successfully
completed a test of basic skills, as defined by
rules, at the time of initial licensure in another
state is not required to complete a test of basic
skills;
(ii) an applicant who has successfully
completed a test of content, as defined by rules,
at the time of initial licensure in another state
is not required to complete a test of content; and
(iii) an applicant for a teaching endorsement
who has successfully completed an evidence-based
assessment of teacher effectiveness, as defined by
rules, at the time of initial licensure in another
state is not required to complete an
evidence-based assessment of teacher
effectiveness; and
(D) for an applicant for a teaching endorsement,
have completed student teaching or an equivalent
experience or, for an applicant for a school service
personnel endorsement, have completed an internship or
an equivalent experience. (1) Provide evidence of
completing a comparable state-approved educator
preparation program, as defined by the State
Superintendent of Education, or hold a comparable and
valid educator license or certificate with similar
grade level and subject matter credentials from
another state. The State Board of Education shall have
the authority to determine what constitutes similar
grade level and subject matter credentials from
another state. A comparable educator license or
certificate is one that demonstrates that the license
or certificate holder meets similar requirements as
candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
preparation program in teaching or school support
personnel areas concerning coursework aligned to
standards concerning methods of instruction of the
exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in
the content area, and instructional strategies for
English learners. An applicant who holds a comparable
and valid educator license or certificate from another
state must submit verification to the State Board of
Education that the applicant has completed coursework
concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
child, methods of reading and reading in the content
area, and instructional strategies for English
learners.
(2) Have a degree from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education.
(3) (Blank).
(4) (Blank).
(5) (Blank).
(6) Have successfully met all Illinois examination
requirements. Applicants who have successfully completed a
test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
initial licensure in another state shall not be required to
complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who have
successfully completed a test of content, as defined by
rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state
shall not be required to complete a test of content.
Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have
successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of
teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of
initial licensure in another state shall not be required to
complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher
effectiveness.
(7) For applicants for a teaching endorsement, have
completed student teaching or an equivalent experience or,
for applicants for a school service personnel endorsement,
have completed an internship or an equivalent experience.
If one or more of the criteria in this subsection (a) are
not met, then applicants who have not been entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education who hold a valid, comparable
certificate from another state may qualify for a provisional
educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations,
in accordance with Section 21B-20 of this Code.
(b) In order to receive a Professional Educator License
endorsed in a teaching field or school support personnel area,
applicants trained in another country must meet all of the
following requirements:
(1) Have completed a comparable education program in
another country.
(2) Have had transcripts evaluated by an evaluation
service approved by the State Superintendent of Education.
(3) Have a degree comparable to a degree from a
regionally accredited institution of higher education.
(4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
and instructional strategies for English learners.
(5) (Blank).
(6) (Blank).
(7) Have successfully met all State licensure
examination requirements. Applicants who have successfully
completed a test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at
the time of initial licensure in another country shall not
be required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants
who have successfully completed a test of content, as
defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in
another country shall not be required to complete a test of
content. Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have
successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of
teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of
initial licensure in another country shall not be required
to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher
effectiveness.
(8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent
experience.
(b-5) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education and applicants trained in
another country applying for a Professional Educator License
endorsed for principal or superintendent must hold a master's
degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher
education and must hold a comparable and valid educator license
or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter
credentials, with the State Board of Education having the
authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and
subject matter credentials from another state, or must meet all
of the following requirements:
(1) Have completed an educator preparation program
approved by another state or comparable educator program in
another country leading to the receipt of a license or
certificate for the Illinois endorsement sought.
(2) Have successfully met all State licensure
examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of
this Code. Applicants who have successfully completed a
test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
initial licensure in another state or country shall not be
required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who
have successfully completed a test of content, as defined
by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state
or country shall not be required to complete a test of
content.
(2.5) Have completed an internship, as defined by rule.
(3) (Blank).
(4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
and instructional strategies for English learners.
(5) Have completed a master's degree.
(6) Have successfully completed teaching, school
support, or administrative experience as defined by rule.
A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a
superintendent or principal may be affixed to an Educator
License with Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of
this Code.
(b-7) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education applying for a Professional
Educator License endorsed for Director of Special Education
must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and
valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level
and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of
Education having the authority to determine what constitutes
similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another
state, or must meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Have completed a master's degree.
(2) Have 2 years of full-time experience providing
special education services.
(3) Have successfully completed all examination
requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
Applicants who have successfully completed a test of
content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial
licensure in another state or country shall not be required
to complete a test of content.
(4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
and instructional strategies for English learners.
A provisional educator endorsement to serve as Director of
Special Education may be affixed to an Educator License with
Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of this Code.
(b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education applying for a Professional
Educator License endorsed for chief school business official
must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and
valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level
and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of
Education having the authority to determine what constitutes
similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another
state, or must meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Have completed a master's degree in school business
management, finance, or accounting.
(2) Have successfully completed an internship in
school business management or have 2 years of experience as
a school business administrator.
(3) Have successfully met all State examination
requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
Applicants who have successfully completed a test of
content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial
licensure in another state or country shall not be required
to complete a test of content.
(4) Have completed modules aligned to standards
concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
and instructional strategies for English learners.
A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a chief
school business official may be affixed to an Educator License
with Stipulations.
(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.
(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-13,
eff. 7-1-17; 100-584, eff. 4-6-18.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-40)
Sec. 21B-40. Fees.
(a) Beginning with the start of the new licensure system
established pursuant to this Article, the following fees shall
be charged to applicants:
(1) A $100 $75 application fee for a Professional
Educator License or an Educator License with Stipulations.
However, beginning on January 1, 2015, the application fee
for a Professional Educator License and Educator License
with Stipulations shall be $100.
(1.5) A $50 application fee for a Substitute Teaching
License. If the application for a Substitute Teaching
License is made and granted after July 1, 2017, the
licensee may apply for a refund of the application fee
within 18 months of issuance of the new license and shall
be issued that refund by the State Board of Education if
the licensee provides evidence to the State Board of
Education that the licensee has taught pursuant to the
Substitute Teaching License at least 10 full school days
within one year of issuance.
(1.7) A $25 application fee for a Short-Term Substitute
Teaching License. The Short-Term Substitute Teaching
License must be registered in at least one region in this
State, but does not require a registration fee. The
licensee may apply for a refund of the application fee
within 18 months of issuance of the new license and shall
be issued that refund by the State Board of Education if
the licensee provides evidence to the State Board of
Education that the licensee has taught pursuant to the
Short-Term Substitute Teaching License at least 10 full
school days within one year of issuance.
(2) A $150 application fee for individuals who have not
been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation
program at an Illinois institution of higher education and
are seeking any of the licenses set forth in subdivision
(1) of this subsection (a).
(3) A $50 application fee for each endorsement or
approval an individual holding a license wishes to add to
that license.
(4) A $10 per year registration fee for the course of
the validity cycle to register the license, which shall be
paid to the regional office of education having supervision
and control over the school in which the individual holding
the license is to be employed. If the individual holding
the license is not yet employed, then the license may be
registered in any county in this State. The registration
fee must be paid in its entirety the first time the
individual registers the license for a particular validity
period in a single region. No additional fee may be charged
for that validity period should the individual
subsequently register the license in additional regions.
An individual must register the license (i) immediately
after initial issuance of the license and (ii) at the
beginning of each renewal cycle if the individual has
satisfied the renewal requirements required under this
Code.
Beginning on July 1, 2017, at the beginning of each
renewal cycle, individuals who hold a Substitute Teaching
License may apply for a reimbursement of the registration
fee within 18 months of renewal and shall be issued that
reimbursement by the State Board of Education from funds
appropriated for that purpose if the licensee provides
evidence to the State Board of Education that the licensee
has taught pursuant to the Substitute Teaching License at
least 10 full school days within one year of renewal.
(b) All application fees paid pursuant to subdivisions (1)
through (3) of subsection (a) of this Section shall be
deposited into the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund and
shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board of
Education to provide the technology and human resources
necessary for the timely and efficient processing of
applications and for the renewal of licenses. Funds available
from the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund may also be
used by the State Board of Education to support the recruitment
and retention of educators, to support educator preparation
programs as they seek national accreditation, and to provide
professional development aligned with the requirements set
forth in Section 21B-45 of this Code. A majority of the funds
in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund must be dedicated
to the timely and efficient processing of applications and for
the renewal of licenses. The Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
Fund is not subject to administrative charge transfers,
authorized under Section 8h of the State Finance Act, from the
Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund into any other fund of
this State, and moneys in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
Fund shall not revert back to the General Revenue Fund at any
time.
The regional superintendent of schools shall deposit the
registration fees paid pursuant to subdivision (4) of
subsection (a) of this Section into the institute fund
established pursuant to Section 3-11 of this Code.
(c) The State Board of Education and each regional office
of education are authorized to charge a service or convenience
fee for the use of credit cards for the payment of license
fees. This service or convenience fee shall not exceed the
amount required by the credit card processing company or vendor
that has entered into a contract with the State Board or
regional office of education for this purpose, and the fee must
be paid to that company or vendor.
(d) If, at the time a certificate issued under Article 21
of this Code is exchanged for a license issued under this
Article, a person has paid registration fees for any years of
the validity period of the certificate and these years have not
expired when the certificate is exchanged, then those fees must
be applied to the registration of the new license.
(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17;
100-550, eff. 11-8-17.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-45)
Sec. 21B-45. Professional Educator License renewal.
(a) Individuals holding a Professional Educator License
are required to complete the licensure renewal requirements as
specified in this Section, unless otherwise provided in this
Code.
Individuals holding a Professional Educator License shall
meet the renewal requirements set forth in this Section, unless
otherwise provided in this Code. If an individual holds a
license endorsed in more than one area that has different
renewal requirements, that individual shall follow the renewal
requirements for the position for which he or she spends the
majority of his or her time working.
(b) All Professional Educator Licenses not renewed as
provided in this Section shall lapse on September 1 of that
year. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, if
a license holder's electronic mail address is available, the
State Board of Education shall send him or her notification
electronically that his or her license will lapse if not
renewed, to be sent no more than 6 months prior to the license
lapsing. Lapsed licenses may be immediately reinstated upon (i)
payment by the applicant of a $500 penalty to the State Board
of Education or (ii) the demonstration of proficiency by
completing 9 semester hours of coursework from a regionally
accredited institution of higher education in the content area
that most aligns with one or more of the educator's endorsement
areas. Any and all back fees, including without limitation
registration fees owed from the time of expiration of the
license until the date of reinstatement, shall be paid and kept
in accordance with the provisions in Article 3 of this Code
concerning an institute fund and the provisions in Article 21B
of this Code concerning fees and requirements for registration.
Licenses not registered in accordance with Section 21B-40 of
this Code shall lapse after a period of 6 months from the
expiration of the last year of registration or on January 1 of
the fiscal year following initial issuance of the license. An
unregistered license is invalid after September 1 for
employment and performance of services in an Illinois public or
State-operated school or cooperative and in a charter school.
Any license or endorsement may be voluntarily surrendered by
the license holder. A voluntarily surrendered license, except a
substitute teaching license issued under Section 21B-20 of this
Code, shall be treated as a revoked license. An Educator
License with Stipulations with only a paraprofessional
endorsement does not lapse.
(c) From July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, in order to
satisfy the requirements for licensure renewal provided for in
this Section, each professional educator licensee with an
administrative endorsement who is working in a position
requiring such endorsement shall complete one Illinois
Administrators' Academy course, as described in Article 2 of
this Code, per fiscal year.
(d) Beginning July 1, 2014, in order to satisfy the
requirements for licensure renewal provided for in this
Section, each professional educator licensee may create a
professional development plan each year. The plan shall address
one or more of the endorsements that are required of his or her
educator position if the licensee is employed and performing
services in an Illinois public or State-operated school or
cooperative. If the licensee is employed in a charter school,
the plan shall address that endorsement or those endorsements
most closely related to his or her educator position. Licensees
employed and performing services in any other Illinois schools
may participate in the renewal requirements by adhering to the
same process.
Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the
licensee's professional development activities shall align
with one or more of the following criteria:
(1) activities are of a type that engage participants
over a sustained period of time allowing for analysis,
discovery, and application as they relate to student
learning, social or emotional achievement, or well-being;
(2) professional development aligns to the licensee's
performance;
(3) outcomes for the activities must relate to student
growth or district improvement;
(4) activities align to State-approved standards; and
(5) higher education coursework.
(e) For each renewal cycle, each professional educator
licensee shall engage in professional development activities.
Prior to renewal, the licensee shall enter electronically into
the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) the name,
date, and location of the activity, the number of professional
development hours, and the provider's name. The following
provisions shall apply concerning professional development
activities:
(1) Each licensee shall complete a total of 120 hours
of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in
order to renew the license, except as otherwise provided in
this Section.
(2) Beginning with his or her first full 5-year cycle,
any licensee with an administrative endorsement who is not
working in a position requiring such endorsement is not
required to complete Illinois Administrators' Academy
courses, as described in Article 2 of this Code. Such
licensees must complete one Illinois Administrators'
Academy course within one year after returning to a
position that requires the administrative endorsement.
(3) Any licensee with an administrative endorsement
who is working in a position requiring such endorsement or
an individual with a Teacher Leader endorsement serving in
an administrative capacity at least 50% of the day shall
complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course, as
described in Article 2 of this Code, each fiscal year in
addition to 100 hours of professional development per
5-year renewal cycle in accordance with this Code.
(4) Any licensee holding a current National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) master teacher
designation shall complete a total of 60 hours of
professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in order
to renew the license.
(5) Licensees working in a position that does not
require educator licensure or working in a position for
less than 50% for any particular year are considered to be
exempt and shall be required to pay only the registration
fee in order to renew and maintain the validity of the
license.
(6) Licensees who are retired and qualify for benefits
from a State of Illinois retirement system shall notify the
State Board of Education using ELIS, and the license shall
be maintained in retired status. For any renewal cycle in
which a licensee retires during the renewal cycle, the
licensee must complete professional development activities
on a prorated basis depending on the number of years during
the renewal cycle the educator held an active license. If a
licensee retires during a renewal cycle, the licensee must
notify the State Board of Education using ELIS that the
licensee wishes to maintain the license in retired status
and must show proof of completion of professional
development activities on a prorated basis for all years of
that renewal cycle for which the license was active. An
individual with a license in retired status shall not be
required to complete professional development activities
or pay registration fees until returning to a position that
requires educator licensure. Upon returning to work in a
position that requires the Professional Educator License,
the licensee shall immediately pay a registration fee and
complete renewal requirements for that year. A license in
retired status cannot lapse. Beginning on January 6, 2017
(the effective date of Public Act 99-920) through December
31, 2017, any licensee who has retired and whose license
has lapsed for failure to renew as provided in this Section
may reinstate that license and maintain it in retired
status upon providing proof to the State Board of Education
using ELIS that the licensee is retired and is not working
in a position that requires a Professional Educator
License.
(7) For any renewal cycle in which professional
development hours were required, but not fulfilled, the
licensee shall complete any missed hours to total the
minimum professional development hours required in this
Section prior to September 1 of that year. Professional
development hours used to fulfill the minimum required
hours for a renewal cycle may be used for only one renewal
cycle. For any fiscal year or renewal cycle in which an
Illinois Administrators' Academy course was required but
not completed, the licensee shall complete any missed
Illinois Administrators' Academy courses prior to
September 1 of that year. The licensee may complete all
deficient hours and Illinois Administrators' Academy
courses while continuing to work in a position that
requires that license until September 1 of that year.
(8) Any licensee who has not fulfilled the professional
development renewal requirements set forth in this Section
at the end of any 5-year renewal cycle is ineligible to
register his or her license and may submit an appeal to the
State Superintendent of Education for reinstatement of the
license.
(9) If professional development opportunities were
unavailable to a licensee, proof that opportunities were
unavailable and request for an extension of time beyond
August 31 to complete the renewal requirements may be
submitted from April 1 through June 30 of that year to the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. If an
extension is approved, the license shall remain valid
during the extension period.
(10) Individuals who hold exempt licenses prior to
December 27, 2013 (the effective date of Public Act 98-610)
shall commence the annual renewal process with the first
scheduled registration due after December 27, 2013 (the
effective date of Public Act 98-610).
(11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
subsection (e), if a licensee earns more than the required
number of professional development hours during a renewal
cycle, then the licensee may carry over any hours earned
from April 1 through June 30 of the last year of the
renewal cycle. Any hours carried over in this manner must
be applied to the next renewal cycle. Illinois
Administrators' Academy courses or hours earned in those
courses may not be carried over.
(f) At the time of renewal, each licensee shall respond to
the required questions under penalty of perjury.
(g) The following entities shall be designated as approved
to provide professional development activities for the renewal
of Professional Educator Licenses:
(1) The State Board of Education.
(2) Regional offices of education and intermediate
service centers.
(3) Illinois professional associations representing
the following groups that are approved by the State
Superintendent of Education:
(A) school administrators;
(B) principals;
(C) school business officials;
(D) teachers, including special education
teachers;
(E) school boards;
(F) school districts;
(G) parents; and
(H) school service personnel.
(4) Regionally accredited institutions of higher
education that offer Illinois-approved educator
preparation programs and public community colleges subject
to the Public Community College Act.
(5) Illinois public school districts, charter schools
authorized under Article 27A of this Code, and joint
educational programs authorized under Article 10 of this
Code for the purposes of providing career and technical
education or special education services.
(6) A not-for-profit organization that, as of December
31, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act 98-1147), has
had or has a grant from or a contract with the State Board
of Education to provide professional development services
in the area of English Learning to Illinois school
districts, teachers, or administrators.
(7) State agencies, State boards, and State
commissions.
(8) Museums as defined in Section 10 of the Museum
Disposition of Property Act.
(h) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
shall make available professional development opportunities
that satisfy at least one of the following:
(1) increase the knowledge and skills of school and
district leaders who guide continuous professional
development;
(2) improve the learning of students;
(3) organize adults into learning communities whose
goals are aligned with those of the school and district;
(4) deepen educator's content knowledge;
(5) provide educators with research-based
instructional strategies to assist students in meeting
rigorous academic standards;
(6) prepare educators to appropriately use various
types of classroom assessments;
(7) use learning strategies appropriate to the
intended goals;
(8) provide educators with the knowledge and skills to
collaborate; or
(9) prepare educators to apply research to
decision-making.
(i) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
shall do the following:
(1) align professional development activities to the
State-approved national standards for professional
learning;
(2) meet the professional development criteria for
Illinois licensure renewal;
(3) produce a rationale for the activity that explains
how it aligns to State standards and identify the
assessment for determining the expected impact on student
learning or school improvement;
(4) maintain original documentation for completion of
activities; and
(5) provide license holders with evidence of
completion of activities; and .
(6) request an Illinois Educator Identification Number
(IEIN) for each educator during each professional
development activity.
(j) The State Board of Education shall conduct annual
audits of a subset of approved providers, except for school
districts, which shall be audited by regional offices of
education and intermediate service centers. The State Board of
Education shall ensure that each approved provider, except for
a school district, is audited at least once every 5 years. The
State Board of Education may conduct more frequent audits of
providers if evidence suggests the requirements of this Section
or administrative rules are not being met. Each approved
provider, except for school districts, that is audited by a
regional office of education or intermediate service center
must be audited at least once every 5 years. The State Board of
Education shall complete random audits of licensees.
(1) (Blank). Approved providers shall annually submit
to the State Board of Education a list of subcontractors
used for delivery of professional development activities
for which renewal credit was issued and other information
as defined by rule.
(2) Approved providers shall comply with the
requirements in subsections (h) and (i) of this Section by
annually submitting submit data to the State Board of
Education demonstrating how the professional development
activities impacted one or more of the following:
(A) educator and student growth in regards to
content knowledge or skills, or both;
(B) educator and student social and emotional
growth; or
(C) alignment to district or school improvement
plans.
(3) The State Superintendent of Education shall review
the annual data collected by the State Board of Education,
regional offices of education, and intermediate service
centers in audits to determine if the approved provider has
met the criteria and should continue to be an approved
provider or if further action should be taken as provided
in rules.
(k) Registration fees shall be paid for the next renewal
cycle between April 1 and June 30 in the last year of each
5-year renewal cycle using ELIS. If all required professional
development hours for the renewal cycle have been completed and
entered by the licensee, the licensee shall pay the
registration fees for the next cycle using a form of credit or
debit card.
(l) Any professional educator licensee endorsed for school
support personnel who is employed and performing services in
Illinois public schools and who holds an active and current
professional license issued by the Department of Financial and
Professional Regulation or a national certification board, as
approved by the State Board of Education, related to the
endorsement areas on the Professional Educator License shall be
deemed to have satisfied the continuing professional
development requirements provided for in this Section. Such
individuals shall be required to pay only registration fees to
renew the Professional Educator License. An individual who does
not hold a license issued by the Department of Financial and
Professional Regulation shall complete professional
development requirements for the renewal of a Professional
Educator License provided for in this Section.
(m) Appeals to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board must be made within 30 days after receipt of notice from
the State Superintendent of Education that a license will not
be renewed based upon failure to complete the requirements of
this Section. A licensee may appeal that decision to the State
Educator Preparation and Licensure Board in a manner prescribed
by rule.
(1) Each appeal shall state the reasons why the State
Superintendent's decision should be reversed and shall be
sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
State Board of Education.
(2) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
shall review each appeal regarding renewal of a license
within 90 days after receiving the appeal in order to
determine whether the licensee has met the requirements of
this Section. The State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board may hold an appeal hearing or may make its
determination based upon the record of review, which shall
consist of the following:
(A) the regional superintendent of education's
rationale for recommending nonrenewal of the license,
if applicable;
(B) any evidence submitted to the State
Superintendent along with the individual's electronic
statement of assurance for renewal; and
(C) the State Superintendent's rationale for
nonrenewal of the license.
(3) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
shall notify the licensee of its decision regarding license
renewal by certified mail, return receipt requested, no
later than 30 days after reaching a decision. Upon receipt
of notification of renewal, the licensee, using ELIS, shall
pay the applicable registration fee for the next cycle
using a form of credit or debit card.
(n) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as may be
necessary to implement this Section.
(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-130, eff. 7-24-15;
99-591, eff. 1-1-17; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17;
100-13, eff. 7-1-17; 100-339, eff. 8-25-17; revised 9-22-17.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-50)
Sec. 21B-50. Alternative educator licensure program.
(a) There is established an alternative educator licensure
program, to be known as the Alternative Educator Licensure
Program for Teachers.
(b) Beginning on January 1, 2013, the Alternative Educator
Licensure Program for Teachers may be offered by a recognized
institution approved to offer educator preparation programs by
the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
The program shall be comprised of 4 phases:
(1) A course of study that at a minimum includes
instructional planning; instructional strategies,
including special education, reading, and English language
learning; classroom management; and the assessment of
students and use of data to drive instruction.
(2) A year of residency, which is a candidate's
assignment to a full-time teaching position or as a
co-teacher for one full school year. An individual must
hold an Educator License with Stipulations with an
alternative provisional educator endorsement in order to
enter the residency and must complete additional program
requirements that address required State and national
standards, pass the assessment of professional teaching
before entering the second residency year, as required
under phase (3) of this subsection (b), and be recommended
by the principal and program coordinator to continue with
the second year of the residency.
(3) A second year of residency, which shall include the
candidate's assignment to a full-time teaching position
for one school year. The candidate must be assigned an
experienced teacher to act as a mentor and coach the
candidate through the second year of residency.
(4) A comprehensive assessment of the candidate's
teaching effectiveness, as evaluated by the principal and
the program coordinator, at the end of the second year of
residency. If there is disagreement between the 2
evaluators about the candidate's teaching effectiveness,
the candidate may complete one additional year of residency
teaching under a professional development plan developed
by the principal and preparation program. At the completion
of the third year, a candidate must have positive
evaluations and a recommendation for full licensure from
both the principal and the program coordinator or no
Professional Educator License shall be issued.
Successful completion of the program shall be deemed to
satisfy any other practice or student teaching and content
matter requirements established by law.
(c) An alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 2 years of
teaching in the public schools, including without limitation a
charter school, or in a State-recognized nonpublic school in
which the chief administrator is required to have the licensure
necessary to be a principal in a public school in this State
and in which a majority of the teachers are required to have
the licensure necessary to be instructors in a public school in
this State, but may be renewed for a third year if needed to
complete the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
Teachers. The endorsement shall be issued only once to an
individual who meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Has graduated from a regionally accredited college
or university with a bachelor's degree or higher.
(2) Has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or
greater on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent on another scale.
(3) Has completed a major in the content area if
seeking a middle or secondary level endorsement or, if
seeking an early childhood, elementary, or special
education endorsement, has completed a major in the content
area of reading, English/language arts, mathematics, or
one of the sciences. If the individual does not have a
major in a content area for any level of teaching, he or
she must submit transcripts to the State Board
Superintendent of Education to be reviewed for
equivalency.
(4) Has successfully completed phase (1) of subsection
(b) of this Section.
(5) Has passed a test of basic skills and content area
test required for the specific endorsement for admission
into the program, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
A candidate possessing the alternative provisional
educator endorsement may receive a salary, benefits, and any
other terms of employment offered to teachers in the school who
are members of an exclusive bargaining representative, if any,
but a school is not required to provide these benefits during
the years of residency if the candidate is serving only as a
co-teacher. If the candidate is serving as the teacher of
record, the candidate must receive a salary, benefits, and any
other terms of employment. Residency experiences must not be
counted towards tenure.
(d) The recognized institution offering the Alternative
Educator Licensure Program for Teachers must partner with a
school district, including without limitation a charter
school, or a State-recognized, nonpublic school in this State
in which the chief administrator is required to have the
licensure necessary to be a principal in a public school in
this State and in which a majority of the teachers are required
to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a public
school in this State. The program presented for approval by the
State Board of Education must demonstrate the supports that are
to be provided to assist the provisional teacher during the
2-year residency period. These supports must provide
additional contact hours with mentors during the first year of
residency.
(e) Upon completion of the 4 phases outlined in subsection
(b) of this Section and all assessments required under Section
21B-30 of this Code, an individual shall receive a Professional
Educator License.
(f) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
rules as may be necessary to establish and implement the
Alternative Educator Licensure Program for Teachers.
(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-55)
Sec. 21B-55. Alternative route to superintendent
endorsement.
(a) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may approve
programs designed to provide an alternative route to
superintendent endorsement on a Professional Educator License.
(b) Entities offering an alternative route to
superintendent endorsement program must have the program
approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with
the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
(c) All programs approved under this Section shall be
comprised of the following 3 phases:
(1) A course of study offered on an intensive basis in
education management, governance, organization, and
instructional and district planning.
(2) The person's assignment to a full-time position for
one school year as a superintendent.
(3) A comprehensive assessment of the person's
performance by school officials and a recommendation to the
State Board Superintendent of Education that the person be
issued a superintendent endorsement on a Professional
Educator License.
(d) In order to be admitted to an alternative route to
superintendent endorsement program, a candidate shall pass a
test of basic skills, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code. In order to serve as a superintendent under phase (2) of
subsection (c) of this Section, an individual must be issued an
alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations, to be valid for only one
year of serving as a superintendent. In order to receive the
provisional alternative superintendent endorsement under this
Section, an individual must meet all of the following
requirements:
(1) Have graduated from a regionally accredited
college or university with a minimum of a master's degree
in a management field other than education.
(2) Have been employed for a period of at least 5 years
in a management level position other than education.
(3) Have successfully completed phase (1) of
subsection (c) of this Section.
(4) Have passed a test of basic skills and a content
area test for admission into the program, as examinations
required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
(e) Successful completion of an alternative route to
superintendent endorsement program shall be deemed to satisfy
any other supervisory, administrative, or management
experience requirements established by law, and, once
completed, an individual shall be eligible for a superintendent
endorsement on a Professional Educator License.
(f) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
rules as may be needed to establish and implement these
alternative route to superintendent endorsement programs.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-105)
Sec. 21B-105. Granting of recognition; regional
accreditation; definitions.
(a) "Recognized", as used in this Article in connection
with the word "school" or "institution", means such college,
university, or for-profit or not-for-profit entity that meets
requirements set by the State Board of Education, in
consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board. Application for recognition of the school or institution
as an educator preparation institution must be made to the
State Board of Education. The State Board of Education, in
consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board, shall set the criteria by which the school or
institution is to be judged and, through the secretary of the
State Board, arrange for an official inspection and shall grant
recognition of such school or institution as may meet the
required standards. If the standards include requirements with
regard to education in acquiring skills in working with
culturally distinctive students, as defined by the State Board
of Education, then the rules of the State Board of Education
shall include the criteria used to evaluate compliance with
this requirement. No school or institution may make assignments
of student teachers or teachers for practice teaching so as to
promote segregation on the basis of race, creed, color,
religion, sex, or national origin.
Any for-profit or not-for-profit entity must also be
approved by the Board of Higher Education.
All recommendations or entitlements for educator licensure
shall be made by a recognized institution operating a program
of preparation for the license that is approved by the State
Board Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. The State Board
of Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board, shall have the power to define
a major or minor when used as a basis for recognition and
licensure purposes.
(b) "Regionally accredited", or "accredited", as used in
this Article in connection with a university or institution,
means an institution of higher education accredited by the
North Central Association or other comparable regional
accrediting association.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
(105 ILCS 5/34-18.60 new)
Sec. 34-18.60. Short-term substitute teacher training.
(a) The board shall, in collaboration with its teachers or,
if applicable, the exclusive bargaining representative of its
teachers, jointly develop a short-term substitute teacher
training program that provides individuals who hold a
Short-Term Substitute Teaching License under Section 21B-20 of
this Code with information on curriculum, classroom management
techniques, school safety, and district and building
operations. The State Board of Education may develop a model
short-term substitute teacher training program for use by the
board under this subsection (a) if the board and its teachers
or, if applicable, the exclusive bargaining representative of
its teachers agree to use the State Board's model. If the board
has a substitute teacher training program in place before the
effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General
Assembly, it may utilize that program to satisfy the
requirements of this subsection (a).
(b) Nothing in this Section prohibits the board from
offering substitute training to substitute teachers licensed
under paragraph (3) of Section 21B-20 of this Code or to
substitute teachers holding a Professional Educator License.
(c) This Section is repealed on July 1, 2023.
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