Section 25.313  Alternative Route to Administrative Certification

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

b)         Section 21-5d of the School Code further provides for the issuance of standard administrative 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 administrative work;

2)         a comprehensive assessment of the candidate's performance; and

3)         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 21-5d of the School Code and this Section.  In making this determination, the State Board of Education shall consult with the State Teacher Certification Board and the advisory panel established pursuant to Section 21-5d of the School Code.  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 roles and responsibilities of the participating university and the school districts in which candidates will be assigned for the year of practice as full-time administrators.

2)         Each proposal shall indicate how candidates who do not possess master's degrees in management shall be determined eligible for the program based on life experience equivalent to a master's degree.  In making this determination, institutions shall take into consideration candidates' length and breadth of experience in such areas as:

A)        personnel management, supervision, and evaluation;

B)        long-range planning and evaluation of program effectiveness;

C)        community and public relations;

D)        organizational development and improvement;

E)         finance and budgeting; and

F)         work involving public schools and other educational units.

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

A)        Each proposal shall describe how individual candidates' education and experience will be used in determining the portions of the course of study he or she will be required to complete.

B)        Each proposal shall demonstrate how candidates will acquire knowledge of content and skills equivalent to the content and skills contained in the participating institution's program approved pursuant to Subpart C of this Part with regard to:

i)          educational management;

ii)         governance and organization; and

iii)         planning.

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 administrative assignment.  Each proposal shall state the criteria for the institution's determination of candidates' readiness.

4)         Each proposal shall describe the proposed arrangements for candidates' assignment to administrative positions 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 districts where candidates will practice.  Each such agreement shall address the nature and intensity of the support to be provided to candidates by experienced district-level administrators, university staff, and/or other professionals with relevant experience, including at least:

A)        the qualifications and experience of such individuals;

B)        the estimated amount of time these individuals will devote to advising and assisting candidates; and

C)        the specific roles of the assisting individuals.

5)         Each proposal shall describe the proposed method of assessing candidates' performance for the year referred to in 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 districts where candidates will practice.  Each such agreement shall include:

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

B)        assessment methods capable of demonstrating whether a candidate has acquired knowledge and skills equivalent to those required of candidates pursuing the respective institution's program approved pursuant to Subpart C of this Part.

6)         Each proposal shall delineate the criteria by which candidates will be recommended for 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)