Section 25.67  Alternative Route to Teacher Certification

a)         Section 21-5c of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/21-5c] provides for the issuance of provisional alternative teaching certificates to eligible candidates, as defined in that Section, who successfully complete an intensive course of study approved by the State Board of Education.

b)         Section 21-5c of the School Code further provides for the issuance of initial teaching certificates to candidates who, after completing the course of study referred to in subsection (a) of this Section, complete an alternative program that also includes:

1)         one year's full-time teaching; and

2)         a comprehensive assessment of the candidate's teaching performance, culminating in a favorable recommendation by the institution of higher education responsible for the course of study.

c)         Proposals for the establishment of programs meeting the specifications of subsections (a) and (b) of this Section shall be approved if they comply with Section 21-5c of the School Code and this Section.  Proposals shall be addressed as follows:

State Board of Education

Alternative Certification Program

100 North First Street

Springfield, Illinois  62777-0001

d)         Proposal Requirements

1)         Each proposal shall describe the role and responsibilities of each cosponsor of the alternative program.

2)         Each proposal shall demonstrate how the participating institution of higher education will evaluate the congruence of a candidate's baccalaureate education, his or her employment experience in a field requiring application of that education, and the teaching area for which the candidate seeks preparation and certification.

3)         Each proposal shall state that all candidates must:

A)        pass the test of basic skills required pursuant to Section 21-1a of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/21-1a] prior to beginning the proposed course of study; and

B)        pass the content-area test required pursuant to Section 21-1a of the School Code prior to beginning the teaching assignment that is a part of the alternative program.

4)         Each proposal shall describe the proposed course of study.

A)        Each proposal shall demonstrate how candidates will acquire knowledge of content and skills equivalent to the content and skills contained in a preparation program approved pursuant to Subpart C of this Part with regard to:

i)          educational theory;

ii)         instructional methods; and

iii)         practice teaching.

B)        Each proposal shall include provisions for determining the amount of time individual candidates will need in order to complete the proposed course of study, based upon such factors as their experience and the type of program offered.  In all cases, the amount of time needed shall be less than that required to complete the institution's program approved pursuant to Subpart C of this Part.

C)        Each program shall include a preservice assessment of each candidate's performance, to be conducted by the institution of higher education at the conclusion of the course of study in order to determine the candidate's readiness for the year-long teaching assignment.  Each proposal shall state the criteria for the institution's determination of candidates' readiness.

5)         Each proposal shall describe the proposed arrangements for candidates' teaching assignments under this Section and shall provide for these to be set forth in a formal, written agreement between the participating institution of higher education and the school district(s) where candidates will practice. Each such agreement shall  address:

A)        the nature and intensity of the support to be provided to candidates by experienced teachers and other staff members of the district, including:

i)          the qualifications and experience of the assisting teachers and staff,

ii)         the estimated amount of time assisting teachers and staff will devote to advising and assisting candidates, and

iii)         the specific roles of the assisting teachers and staff; and

B)        provisions enabling candidates to compensate for teaching time lost due to emergencies.

6)         Each proposal shall describe the proposed method of assessing candidates' teaching performance for the year referred to in this Section and shall provide for such methods to be set forth in a formal, written agreement between the participating institution of higher education and the school district(s) where candidates will practice.  Each such agreement shall describe:

A)        the roles of all parties who will participate in the evaluation of candidates; and

B)        assessment methods capable of demonstrating whether a candidate is:

i)          knowledgeable about specific subject matter and strategies for teaching that subject matter to students with differing needs; and

ii)         skilled in managing and monitoring students' learning.

7)         Each proposal shall delineate the criteria by which candidates will be recommended for initial certification by the participating institution of higher education.

e)         Each alternative program established pursuant to this Section shall be subject to the Accreditation Review described in Subpart C of this Part.

f)          The sponsoring institutions of programs established pursuant to this Section shall provide annual reports to the State Teacher Certification Board that describe the programs offered, the number and categories of the candidates who apply to each program, the completion rate for each program, and data regarding placement of individuals who complete each program.

(Source:  Amended at 27 Ill. Reg. 12523, effective July 21, 2003)