Section 1.780  Standards for Teachers in Bilingual Education Programs

a)         No individual shall be assigned as a bilingual education teacher in prekindergarten, kindergarten or any of Grades 1-12 unless he or she:

1)         holds a certificate that is valid for the grade levels of the students to be served and an endorsement or statement of approval for bilingual education that is specific to the language of instruction, issued pursuant to Section 1.781 of this Part; or

2)         holds a transitional bilingual certificate specific to the language of instruction, issued pursuant to 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25.90; or

3)         holds a Visiting International Teaching Certificate that is valid for the grade levels of the students to be served and meets the requirements set forth at 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25.92(i); or

4)         was employed in a State-approved bilingual education program prior to September 1, 1985 and continues to hold a certificate that is valid for the grade level or levels of the students to be served.

b)         No individual shall be assigned as a teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL) in prekindergarten, kindergarten or any of Grades 1-6 unless he or she:

1)         holds a certificate that is valid for the grade levels of the students to be served and an endorsement or statement of approval for ESL or English as a New Language (ENL), issued pursuant to Section 1.782 of this Part; or

2)         holds a certificate that is valid for the grade levels of the students to be served and an endorsement or statement of approval for bilingual education; or

3)         holds a transitional bilingual certificate issued pursuant to 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25.90; or

4)         holds a Visiting International Teaching Certificate that is valid for the grade levels of the students to be served and meets the requirements set forth at 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25.92(i); or

5)         was employed in an approved bilingual education program prior to September 1, 1985 and continues to hold a certificate that is valid for the grade level or levels of the students to be served.

c)         No individual shall be assigned as a teacher of English as a Second Language in any of Grades 7-12 unless he or she:

1)         holds a certificate that is valid for the grade levels of the students to be served and an endorsement or statement of approval for ESL or ENL, issued pursuant to Section 1.782 of this Part; or

2)         holds a Visiting International Teaching Certificate that is valid for the grade levels of the students to be served and meets the requirements set forth at 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25.92(i).

d)         Additional requirements for teachers in grades 5 through 8 serving students with home languages other than English shall be as set forth in Section 1.720 of this Part.

e)         Additional requirements for teachers in State-supported early childhood programs serving students with home languages other than English shall be as set forth in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 228.

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 1056, effective January 3, 2011)