Bill Text: IL SB0638 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

---

Bill Title: Amends the State Universities Civil Service Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning temporary appointments.

Sponsorship: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)

Status: (Passed) 2012-06-25 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 97-0702 [SB0638 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-SB0638-Engrossed.html

---

SB0638 Engrossed LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
21-5b, 21-5c, and 21B-50 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/21-5b)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on September 1, 2013)
Sec. 21-5b. Alternative certification. The State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Teacher
Certification Board, shall establish and implement an
alternative certification program under which persons who meet
the requirements of and successfully complete the program
established by this Section shall be issued an alternative
teaching certificate for teaching in the schools. The program
shall be limited to not more than 260 new participants during
each year that the program is in effect. The State Board of
Education, in cooperation with one or more not-for-profit
organizations in the State that support excellence in teaching,
which may be in partnership with a university that offers
4-year baccalaureate and masters degree programs and that is a
recognized institution as defined in Section 21B-105 of this
Code, may within 30 days after submission by the program
sponsor approve a course of study developed by the program

SB0638 Engrossed - 2 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
sponsor that persons in the program must successfully complete
in order to satisfy one criterion for issuance of an
alternative certificate under this Section. The Alternative
Teacher Certification program course of study must include
content and skills which have been approved by the State Board
of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher
Certification Board, as meeting the requirement for State
teacher certification.
The alternative certification program established under
this Section shall be known as the Alternative Teacher
Certification program. The Alternative Teacher Certification
Program shall be offered by the submitting partnership, and
such partnership may be offered by one or more not-for-profit
organizations in the State which support excellence in
teaching. The program shall be comprised of the following 3
phases: (a) the first phase is the course of study offered on
an intensive basis in education theory, instructional methods,
and practice teaching; (b) the second phase is the person's
assignment to a full-time teaching position for one school
year; and (c) the third phase is a comprehensive assessment of
the person's teaching performance by school officials and the
partnership participants and a recommendation by the program
sponsor to the State Board of Education that the person be
issued a standard alternative teaching certificate. Successful
completion of the Alternative Teacher Certification program
shall be deemed to satisfy any other practice or student

SB0638 Engrossed - 3 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
teaching and subject matter requirements established by law.
A provisional alternative teaching certificate, valid for
one year of teaching in the common schools and not renewable,
shall be issued under this Section 21-5b to persons who at the
time of applying for the provisional alternative teaching
certificate under this Section:
(1) have graduated from an accredited college or
university with a bachelor's degree;
(2) have successfully completed the first phase of the
Alternative Teacher Certification program as provided in
this Section;
(3) have passed the tests of basic skills and subject
matter knowledge required by Section 21-1a; and
(4) (i) have been employed for a period of at least 5
years in an area requiring application of the individual's
education or (ii) have attained at least a cumulative grade
average of a "B" if the individual is assigned either to a
school district that has not met the annual measurable
objective for highly qualified teachers required by the
Illinois Revised Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT) Plan or to
a school district whose data filed with the State Board of
Education indicates that the district's poor and minority
students are taught by teachers who are not highly
qualified at a higher rate than other students; however,
this item (4) does not apply with respect to a provisional
alternative teaching certificate for teaching in schools

SB0638 Engrossed - 4 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
situated in a school district that is located in a city
having a population in excess of 500,000 inhabitants.
Assignment may be made under clause (ii) of this item (4)
only if the district superintendent and the exclusive
bargaining representative of the district's teachers, if
any, jointly agree to permit the assignment.
A person possessing a provisional alternative certificate
under this Section shall be treated as a regularly certified
teacher for purposes of compensation, benefits, and other terms
and conditions of employment afforded teachers in the school
who are members of a bargaining unit represented by an
exclusive bargaining representative, if any.
Until February 15, 2000, a standard alternative teaching
certificate, valid for 4 years for teaching in the schools and
renewable as provided in Section 21-14, shall be issued under
this Section 21-5b to persons who first complete the
requirements for the provisional alternative teaching
certificate and who at the time of applying for a standard
alternative teaching certificate under this Section have
successfully completed the second and third phases of the
Alternative Teacher Certification program as provided in this
Section. Alternatively, beginning February 15, 2000, at the end
of the 4-year validity period, persons who were issued a
standard alternative teaching certificate shall be eligible,
on the same basis as holders of an Initial Teaching Certificate
issued under subsection (b) of Section 21-2 of this Code, to

SB0638 Engrossed - 5 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
apply for a Standard Teaching Certificate, provided they meet
the requirements of subsection (c) of Section 21-2 of this Code
and further provided that a person who does not apply for and
receive a Standard Teaching Certificate shall be able to teach
only in schools situated in a school district that is located
in a city having a population in excess of 500,000 inhabitants.
Beginning February 15, 2000, persons who have completed the
requirements for a standard alternative teaching certificate
under this Section shall be issued an Initial Alternative
Teaching Certificate valid for 4 years of teaching and not
renewable. At the end of the 4-year validity period, these
persons shall be eligible, on the same basis as holders of an
Initial Teaching Certificate issued under subsection (b) of
Section 21-2 of this Code, to apply for a Standard Teaching
Certificate, provided they meet the requirements of subsection
(c) of Section 21-2.
Such alternative certification program shall be
implemented so that the first provisional alternative teaching
certificates issued under this Section are effective upon the
commencement of the 1997-1998 academic year and the first
standard alternative teaching certificates issued under this
Section are effective upon the commencement of the 1998-1999
academic year.
The State Board of Education, in cooperation with the
partnership or partnerships establishing such Alternative
Teacher Certification programs, shall adopt rules and

SB0638 Engrossed - 6 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
regulations that are consistent with this Section and that the
State Board of Education deems necessary to establish and
implement the program.
No one may be admitted to an alternative certification
program under this Section after September 1, 2013 2012, and
those candidates who are admitted on or before September 1,
2013 2012 must complete the program before January 1, 2015
September 1, 2013.
This Section is repealed on January 1, 2015 September 1,
2013.
(Source: P.A. 96-862, eff. 1-15-10; 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
(105 ILCS 5/21-5c)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on September 1, 2013)
Sec. 21-5c. Alternative route to teacher certification.
The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
Teacher Certification Board, shall establish and implement one
or more alternative route to teacher certification programs
under which persons who meet the requirements of and
successfully complete the programs established by this Section
shall be issued an initial teaching certificate for teaching in
schools in this State. The State Board of Education may approve
a course of study that persons in such programs must
successfully complete in order to satisfy one criterion for
issuance of a certificate under this Section. The Alternative
Route to Teacher Certification programs course of study must

SB0638 Engrossed - 7 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
include content and skills which have been approved by the
State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
Teacher Certification Board, as meeting the requirement for
State teacher certification.
Programs established under this Section shall be known as
Alternative Route to Teacher Certification programs. The
programs may be offered by a university that offers 4-year
baccalaureate and masters degree programs and that is a
recognized institution as defined in Section 21B-105 of this
Code, by one or more not-for-profit organizations in the State,
or a combination thereof. The programs shall be comprised of
the following 3 phases: (a) a course of study offered on an
intensive basis in education theory, instructional methods,
and practice teaching; (b) the person's assignment to a
full-time teaching position for one school year, including the
designation of a mentor teacher to advise and assist the person
with that teaching assignment; and (c) a comprehensive
assessment of the person's teaching performance by school
officials and program participants and a recommendation by the
program sponsor to the State Board of Education that the person
be issued an initial teaching certificate. Successful
completion of Alternative Route to Teacher Certification
programs shall be deemed to satisfy any other practice or
student teaching and subject matter requirements established
by law.
A provisional alternative teaching certificate, valid for

SB0638 Engrossed - 8 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
one year of teaching in the common schools and not renewable,
shall be issued under this Section 21-5c to persons who at the
time of applying for the provisional alternative teaching
certificate under this Section:
(1) have graduated from an accredited college or
university with a bachelor's degree;
(2) have been employed for a period of at least 5 years
in an area requiring application of the individual's
education;
(3) have successfully completed the first phase of the
Alternative Teacher Certification program as provided in
this Section; and
(4) have passed the tests of basic skills and subject
matter knowledge required by Section 21-1a.
An initial teaching certificate, valid for teaching in the
common schools, shall be issued under Section 21-3 or 21-5 to
persons who first complete the requirements for the provisional
alternative teaching certificate and who at the time of
applying for an initial teaching certificate have successfully
completed the second and third phases of the Alternative Route
to Teacher Certification program as provided in this Section.
A person possessing a provisional alternative certificate
or an initial teaching certificate earned under this Section
shall be treated as a regularly certified teacher for purposes
of compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of
employment afforded teachers in the school who are members of a

SB0638 Engrossed - 9 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
bargaining unit represented by an exclusive bargaining
representative, if any.
The State Board of Education may adopt rules and
regulations that are consistent with this Section and that the
State Board deems necessary to establish and implement the
program.
No one may be admitted to an alternative certification
program under this Section after September 1, 2013 2012, and
those candidates who are admitted on or before September 1,
2013 2012 must complete the program before January 1, 2015
September 1, 2013.
This Section is repealed on January 1, 2015 September 1,
2013.
(Source: P.A. 96-862, eff. 1-15-10; 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
(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. Any program offered
by a not-for-profit entity also must be approved by the Board

SB0638 Engrossed - 10 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
of Higher Education.
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

SB0638 Engrossed - 11 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
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 a
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

SB0638 Engrossed - 12 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
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 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

SB0638 Engrossed - 13 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b
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. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon

SB0638 Engrossed - 14 - LRB097 04402 NHT 44441 b