100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB5627

 

Introduced , by Rep. Thomas M. Bennett

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/21B-5
105 ILCS 5/21B-10
105 ILCS 5/21B-20
105 ILCS 5/21B-25
105 ILCS 5/21B-30
105 ILCS 5/21B-35
105 ILCS 5/21B-40
105 ILCS 5/21B-45
105 ILCS 5/21B-50
105 ILCS 5/21B-55
105 ILCS 5/21B-105

    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.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
521B-5, 21B-10, 21B-20, 21B-25, 21B-30, 21B-35, 21B-40, 21B-45,
621B-50, 21B-55, and 21B-105 as follows:
 
7    (105 ILCS 5/21B-5)
8    Sec. 21B-5. Licensure powers of the State Board of
9Education.
10    (a) Recognizing that the education of our citizens is the
11single most important influence on the prosperity and success
12of this State and recognizing that new developments in
13education require a flexible approach to our educational
14system, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
15State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall have the
16power and authority to do all of the following:
17        (1) Set standards for teaching, supervising, or
18    otherwise holding licensed employment in the public
19    schools of this State and administer the licensure process
20    as provided in this Article.
21        (2) Approve, evaluate, and sanction educator
22    preparation programs.
23        (3) Enter into agreements with other states relative to

 

 

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1    reciprocal approval of educator preparation programs.
2        (4) Establish standards for the issuance of new types
3    of educator licenses.
4        (5) Establish a code of ethics for all educators.
5        (6) Maintain a system of licensure examination aligned
6    with standards determined by the State Board of Education.
7        (7) Take such other action relating to the improvement
8    of instruction in the public schools as is appropriate and
9    consistent with applicable laws.
10    (b) Only the State Board Superintendent of Education,
11acting in accordance with the applicable provisions of this
12Article and rules, shall have the authority to issue or endorse
13any license required for teaching, supervising, or otherwise
14holding licensed employment in the public schools; and no other
15State agency shall have any power or authority (i) to establish
16or prescribe any qualifications or other requirements
17applicable to the issuance or endorsement of any such license
18or (ii) to establish or prescribe any licensure or equivalent
19requirement that must be satisfied in order to teach,
20supervise, or hold licensed employment in the public schools.
21(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
 
22    (105 ILCS 5/21B-10)
23    Sec. 21B-10. State Educator Preparation and Licensure
24Board.
25    (a) The State Teacher Certification Board, which had been

 

 

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1established under Section 21-13 of the School Code prior to
2this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, shall be
3renamed the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
4References in law to the State Teacher Certification Board
5shall mean the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
6The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall
7consist of the State Superintendent of Education or a
8representative appointed by him or her, who shall be ex-officio
9chairperson, 7 5 administrative or faculty members of public or
10private colleges or universities located in this State (one of
11whom must represent an alternative licensure program in this
12State and one of whom must represent an institution offering
13preparation programs in this State and at least one other
14state), 3 administrators and 10 classroom teachers employed in
15the public schools (5 of whom must be members of and nominated
16by a statewide professional teachers' organization and 5 of
17whom must be members of and nominated by a different statewide
18professional teachers' organization), and one regional
19superintendent of schools, all of whom shall be appointed by
20the State Board of Education; provided that at least one of the
21administrators and at least 3 of the classroom teachers so
22appointed must be employees of a school district that is
23subject to the provisions of Article 34 of this Code. A
24statewide professional teachers' organization and a different
25statewide professional teachers' organization shall submit to
26the State Board of Education for consideration at least 3 names

 

 

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1of accomplished teachers for every one vacancy or expiring term
2in a classroom teacher position. The nominations submitted to
3the State Board of Education under this Section to fill a
4vacancy or an expiring term shall be advisory. Nomination for
5State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board members must be
6submitted to the State Board of Education within 30 days after
7the vacancy or vacancies occur. Nominations to fill an expiring
8term must be submitted to the State Board of Education at least
930 days before the expiration of that term. Notwithstanding any
10other provisions of this Section, if a sufficient number of
11nominations are not received by the State Board of Education
12for a vacancy or expiring term within the 30-day period, then
13the State Board of Education may appoint any qualified person,
14in the same manner as the original appointment, to fill the
15vacancy or expiring term. The regular term of each member is 3
16years, and an individual may be appointed for no more than 2
17consecutive terms. The term of an appointed member of the State
18Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall expire on June
1930 of his or her final year.
20    (b) The State Board of Education shall appoint a secretary
21of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
22    (c) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
23shall hold regular meetings at least quarterly and such other
24special meetings as may be necessary.
25    (d) The necessary expenses of the State Educator
26Preparation and Licensure Board shall be provided through the

 

 

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1State Board of Education. The State Board of Education, in
2consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
3Board, may adopt such rules as may be necessary for the
4administration of this Article.
5    (e) (Blank). Individuals serving on the State Teacher
6Certification Board on June 30, 2011 under Section 21-13 of
7this Code shall continue to serve on the State Educator
8Preparation and Licensure Board until the scheduled expiration
9of their respective terms.
10(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
 
11    (105 ILCS 5/21B-20)
12    Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. The Before July 1, 2013,
13the State Board of Education shall implement a system of
14educator licensure, whereby individuals employed in school
15districts who are required to be licensed must have one of the
16following licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii)
17an a professional educator license with stipulations; or (iii)
18a substitute teaching license. References in law regarding
19individuals certified or certificated or required to be
20certified or certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall
21also include individuals licensed or required to be licensed
22under this Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June
2330 following one full year of the license being issued.
24    The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
25State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such

 

 

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1rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for
2licenses and endorsements under this Section.
3        (1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i)
4    have successfully completed an approved educator
5    preparation program and are recommended for licensure by
6    the Illinois institution offering the educator preparation
7    program, (ii) have successfully completed the required
8    testing under Section 21B-30 of this Code, (iii) have
9    successfully completed coursework on the psychology of,
10    the identification of, and the methods of instruction for
11    the exceptional child, including without limitation
12    children with learning disabilities, (iv) have
13    successfully completed coursework in methods of reading
14    and reading in the content area, and (v) have met all other
15    criteria established by rule of the State Board of
16    Education shall be issued a Professional Educator License.
17    All Professional Educator Licenses are valid until June 30
18    immediately following 5 years of the license being issued.
19    The Professional Educator License shall be endorsed with
20    specific areas and grade levels in which the individual is
21    eligible to practice.
22        Individuals can receive subsequent endorsements on the
23    Professional Educator License. Subsequent endorsements
24    shall require a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework
25    in the endorsement area, unless otherwise specified by
26    rule, and passage of the applicable content area test.

 

 

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1        (2) Educator License with Stipulations. An Educator
2    License with Stipulations shall be issued an endorsement
3    that limits the license holder to one particular position
4    or does not require completion of an approved educator
5    program or both.
6        An individual with an Educator License with
7    Stipulations must not be employed by a school district or
8    any other entity to replace any presently employed teacher
9    who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.
10        An Educator License with Stipulations may be issued
11    with the following endorsements:
12            (A) (Blank). Provisional educator. A provisional
13        educator endorsement in a specific content area or
14        areas on an Educator License with Stipulations may be
15        issued to an applicant who holds an educator license
16        from another state, U.S. territory, or foreign country
17        and who, at the time of applying for an Illinois
18        license, does not meet the minimum requirements under
19        Section 21B-35 of this Code, but does, at a minimum,
20        meet the following requirements:
21                (i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
22            bachelor's degree, unless a master's degree is
23            required for the endorsement, from a regionally
24            accredited college or university or, for
25            individuals educated in a country other than the
26            United States, the equivalent of a minimum of a

 

 

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1            bachelor's degree issued in the United States,
2            unless a master's degree is required for the
3            endorsement.
4                (ii) Has passed or passes a test of basic
5            skills and content area test prior to or within one
6            year after issuance of the provisional educator
7            endorsement on the Educator License with
8            Stipulations. If an individual who holds an
9            Educator License with Stipulations endorsed for
10            provisional educator has not passed a test of basic
11            skills and applicable content area test or tests
12            within one year after issuance of the endorsement,
13            the endorsement shall expire on June 30 following
14            one full year of the endorsement being issued. If
15            such an individual has passed the test of basic
16            skills and applicable content area test or tests
17            either prior to issuance of the endorsement or
18            within one year after issuance of the endorsement,
19            the endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately
20            following 2 years of the license being issued,
21            during which time any and all coursework
22            deficiencies must be met and any and all additional
23            testing deficiencies must be met.
24            In addition, a provisional educator endorsement
25        for principals or superintendents may be issued if the
26        individual meets the requirements set forth in

 

 

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1        subdivisions (1) and (3) of subsection (b-5) of Section
2        21B-35 of this Code. Applicants who have not been
3        entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation
4        program at an Illinois institution of higher education
5        shall not receive a provisional educator endorsement
6        if the person completed an alternative licensure
7        program in another state, unless the program has been
8        determined to be equivalent to Illinois program
9        requirements.
10            Notwithstanding any other requirements of this
11        Section, a service member or spouse of a service member
12        may obtain a Professional Educator License with
13        Stipulations, and a provisional educator endorsement
14        in a specific content area or areas, if he or she holds
15        a valid teaching certificate or license in good
16        standing from another state, meets the qualifications
17        of educators outlined in Section 21B-15 of this Code,
18        and has not engaged in any misconduct that would
19        prohibit an individual from obtaining a license
20        pursuant to Illinois law, including without limitation
21        any administrative rules of the State Board of
22        Education.
23            In this Section, "service member" means any person
24        who, at the time of application under this Section, is
25        an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces
26        or any reserve component of the United States Armed

 

 

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1        Forces or the National Guard of any state,
2        commonwealth, or territory of the United States or the
3        District of Columbia.
4            A provisional educator endorsement is valid until
5        June 30 immediately following 2 years of the license
6        being issued, provided that any remaining testing and
7        coursework deficiencies are met as set forth in this
8        Section. Failure to satisfy all stated deficiencies
9        shall mean the individual, including any service
10        member or spouse who has obtained a Professional
11        Educator License with Stipulations and a provisional
12        educator endorsement in a specific content area or
13        areas, is ineligible to receive a Professional
14        Educator License at that time. An Educator License with
15        Stipulations endorsed for provisional educator shall
16        not be renewed for individuals who hold an Educator
17        License with Stipulations and who have held a position
18        in a public school or non-public school recognized by
19        the State Board of Education.
20            (B) Alternative provisional educator. An
21        alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
22        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
23        applicant who, at the time of applying for the
24        endorsement, has done all of the following:
25                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
26            college or university with a minimum of a

 

 

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1            bachelor's degree.
2                (ii) Successfully completed the first phase of
3            the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
4            Teachers, as described in Section 21B-50 of this
5            Code.
6                (iii) Passed a test of basic skills and content
7            area test, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
8            Code.
9        The alternative provisional educator endorsement is
10    valid for one year 2 years of teaching and may be renewed
11    for a second third year by an individual meeting the
12    requirements set forth in Section 21B-50 of this Code.
13            (C) Alternative provisional superintendent. An
14        alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on
15        an Educator License with Stipulations entitles the
16        holder to serve only as a superintendent or assistant
17        superintendent in a school district's central office.
18        This endorsement may only be issued to an applicant
19        who, at the time of applying for the endorsement, has
20        done all of the following:
21                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
22            college or university with a minimum of a master's
23            degree in a management field other than education.
24                (ii) Been employed for a period of at least 5
25            years in a management level position in a field
26            other than education.

 

 

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1                (iii) Successfully completed the first phase
2            of an alternative route to superintendent
3            endorsement program, as provided in Section 21B-55
4            of this Code.
5                (iv) Passed a test of basic skills and content
6            area tests required under Section 21B-30 of this
7            Code.
8            The endorsement may be registered for 2 fiscal
9        years in order to complete one full year of serving as
10        a superintendent or assistant superintendent.
11            (D) (Blank). Resident teacher endorsement. A
12        resident teacher endorsement on an Educator License
13        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who, at
14        the time of applying for the endorsement, has done all
15        of the following:
16                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
17            institution of higher education with a minimum of a
18            bachelor's degree.
19                (ii) Enrolled in an approved Illinois educator
20            preparation program.
21                (iii) Passed a test of basic skills and content
22            area test, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
23            Code.
24            The resident teacher endorsement on an Educator
25        License with Stipulations is valid for 4 years of
26        teaching and shall not be renewed.

 

 

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1            A resident teacher may teach only under the
2        direction of a licensed teacher, who shall act as the
3        resident mentor teacher, and may not teach in place of
4        a licensed teacher. A resident teacher endorsement on
5        an Educator License with Stipulations shall no longer
6        be valid after June 30, 2017.
7            (E) Career and technical educator. A career and
8        technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
9        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has
10        a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework from a
11        regionally accredited institution of higher education
12        or an accredited trade and technical institution and
13        has a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience outside of
14        education in each area to be taught.
15            The career and technical educator endorsement on
16        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
17        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
18        endorsement being issued and may be renewed. For
19        individuals who were issued the career and technical
20        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
21        Stipulations on or after January 1, 2015, the license
22        may be renewed if the individual passes a test of basic
23        skills or test of work proficiency, as required under
24        Section 21B-30 of this Code.
25            An individual who holds a valid career and
26        technical educator endorsement on an Educator License

 

 

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1        with Stipulations but does not hold a bachelor's degree
2        may substitute teach in career and technical education
3        classrooms.
4            (F) Part-time provisional career and technical
5        educator or provisional career and technical educator.
6        A part-time provisional career and technical educator
7        endorsement or a provisional career and technical
8        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
9        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has a
10        minimum of 8,000 hours of work experience in the skill
11        for which the applicant is seeking the endorsement. It
12        is the responsibility of each employing school board
13        and regional office of education to provide
14        verification, in writing, to the State Superintendent
15        of Education at the time the application is submitted
16        that no qualified teacher holding a Professional
17        Educator License or an Educator License with
18        Stipulations with a career and technical educator
19        endorsement is available and that actual circumstances
20        require such issuance.
21            The provisional career and technical educator
22        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
23        is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
24        the endorsement being issued and may be renewed for 5
25        years. For individuals who were issued the provisional
26        career and technical educator endorsement on an

 

 

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1        Educator License with Stipulations on or after January
2        1, 2015, the license may be renewed if the individual
3        passes a test of basic skills or test of work
4        proficiency, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
5        Code.
6            A part-time provisional career and technical
7        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
8        Stipulations may be issued for teaching no more than 2
9        courses of study for grades 6 through 12. The part-time
10        provisional career and technical educator endorsement
11        on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
12        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
13        endorsement being issued and may be renewed for 5 years
14        if the individual makes application for renewal.
15            An individual who holds a provisional or part-time
16        provisional career and technical educator endorsement
17        on an Educator License with Stipulations but does not
18        hold a bachelor's degree may substitute teach in career
19        and technical education classrooms.
20            (G) Transitional bilingual educator. A
21        transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an
22        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for
23        the purpose of providing instruction in accordance
24        with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who
25        provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all
26        of the following requirements:

 

 

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1                (i) Possesses adequate speaking, reading, and
2            writing ability in the language other than English
3            in which transitional bilingual education is
4            offered.
5                (ii) Has the ability to successfully
6            communicate in English.
7                (iii) Either possessed, within 5 years
8            previous to his or her applying for a transitional
9            bilingual educator endorsement, a valid and
10            comparable teaching certificate or comparable
11            authorization issued by a foreign country or holds
12            a degree from an institution of higher learning in
13            a foreign country that the State Educator
14            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
15            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
16            regionally accredited institution of higher
17            learning in the United States.
18            A transitional bilingual educator endorsement
19        shall be valid for prekindergarten through grade 12, is
20        valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
21        the endorsement being issued, and shall not be renewed.
22            Persons holding a transitional bilingual educator
23        endorsement shall not be employed to replace any
24        presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be
25        replaced for any reason.
26            (H) Language endorsement. In an effort to

 

 

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1        alleviate the shortage of teachers speaking a language
2        other than English in the public schools, an individual
3        who holds an Educator License with Stipulations may
4        also apply for a language endorsement, provided that
5        the applicant provides satisfactory evidence that he
6        or she meets all of the following requirements:
7                (i) Holds a transitional bilingual
8            endorsement.
9                (ii) Has demonstrated proficiency in the
10            language for which the endorsement is to be issued
11            by passing the applicable language content test
12            required by the State Board of Education.
13                (iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from
14            a regionally accredited institution of higher
15            education or, for individuals educated in a
16            country other than the United States, holds a
17            degree from an institution of higher learning in a
18            foreign country that the State Educator
19            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
20            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
21            regionally accredited institution of higher
22            learning in the United States.
23                (iv) Has passed a test of basic skills, as
24            required under Section 21B-30 of this Code.
25            A language endorsement on an Educator License with
26        Stipulations is valid for prekindergarten through

 

 

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1        grade 12 for the same validity period as the
2        individual's transitional bilingual educator
3        endorsement on the Educator License with Stipulations
4        and shall not be renewed.
5            (I) Visiting international educator. A visiting
6        international educator endorsement on an Educator
7        License with Stipulations may be issued to an
8        individual who is being recruited by a particular
9        school district that conducts formal recruitment
10        programs outside of the United States to secure the
11        services of qualified teachers and who meets all of the
12        following requirements:
13                (i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
14            bachelor's degree issued in the United States.
15                (ii) Has been prepared as a teacher at the
16            grade level for which he or she will be employed.
17                (iii) Has adequate content knowledge in the
18            subject to be taught.
19                (iv) Has an adequate command of the English
20            language.
21            A holder of a visiting international educator
22        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
23        shall be permitted to teach in bilingual education
24        programs in the language that was the medium of
25        instruction in his or her teacher preparation program,
26        provided that he or she passes the English Language

 

 

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1        Proficiency Examination or another test of writing
2        skills in English identified by the State Board of
3        Education, in consultation with the State Educator
4        Preparation and Licensure Board.
5            A visiting international educator endorsement on
6        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 3
7        years and shall not be renewed.
8            (J) Paraprofessional educator. A paraprofessional
9        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
10        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a
11        high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and
12        either holds an associate's degree or a minimum of 60
13        semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited
14        institution of higher education or has passed a test of
15        basic skills required under Section 21B-30 of this
16        Code. The paraprofessional educator endorsement is
17        valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
18        the endorsement being issued and may be renewed through
19        application and payment of the appropriate fee, as
20        required under Section 21B-40 of this Code. An
21        individual who holds only a paraprofessional educator
22        endorsement is not subject to additional requirements
23        in order to renew the endorsement.
24            (K) Chief school business official. A chief school
25        business official endorsement on an Educator License
26        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who

 

 

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1        qualifies by having a master's degree or higher, 2
2        years of full-time administrative experience in school
3        business management or 2 years of university-approved
4        practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester
5        hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the
6        State Board of Education for the preparation of school
7        business administrators and by passage of the
8        applicable State tests, including a test of basic
9        skills and applicable content area test.
10            The chief school business official endorsement may
11        also be affixed to the Educator License with
12        Stipulations of any holder who qualifies by having a
13        master's degree in business administration, finance,
14        accounting, or public administration and who completes
15        an additional 6 semester hours of internship in school
16        business management from a regionally accredited
17        institution of higher education and passes the
18        applicable State tests, including a test of basic
19        skills and applicable content area test. This
20        endorsement shall be required for any individual
21        employed as a chief school business official.
22            The chief school business official endorsement on
23        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
24        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
25        endorsement being issued and may be renewed if the
26        license holder completes renewal requirements as

 

 

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1        required for individuals who hold a Professional
2        Educator License endorsed for chief school business
3        official under Section 21B-45 of this Code and such
4        rules as may be adopted by the State Board of
5        Education.
6            The State Board of Education shall adopt any rules
7        necessary to implement Public Act 100-288 this
8        amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.
9            (L) Provisional in-state educator. A provisional
10        in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License
11        with Stipulations may be issued to a candidate who has
12        completed an Illinois-approved educator preparation
13        program at an Illinois institution of higher education
14        and who has not successfully completed an
15        evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness but
16        who meets all of the following requirements:
17                (i) Holds at least a bachelor's degree.
18                (ii) Has completed an approved educator
19            preparation program at an Illinois institution.
20                (iii) Has passed a test of basic skills and
21            applicable content area test, as required by
22            Section 21B-30 of this Code.
23                (iv) Has attempted an evidence-based
24            assessment of teacher effectiveness and received a
25            minimum score on that assessment, as established
26            by the State Board of Education in consultation

 

 

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1            with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
2            Board.
3            A provisional in-state educator endorsement on an
4        Educator License with Stipulations is valid for one
5        full fiscal year after the date of issuance and may not
6        be renewed.
7            (M) School support personnel intern. A school
8        support personnel intern endorsement on an Educator
9        License with Stipulations may be issued as specified by
10        rule.
11            (N) Special education area. A special education
12        area endorsement on an Educator License with
13        Stipulations may be issued as defined and specified by
14        rule.
15        (3) Substitute Teaching License. A Substitute Teaching
16    License may be issued to qualified applicants for
17    substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools,
18    prekindergarten through grade 12. A person who holds a
19    valid Professional Educator License is eligible to serve as
20    a substitute teacher without a Substitute Teaching
21    License. Substitute Teaching Licenses are not eligible for
22    endorsements. Applicants for a Substitute Teaching License
23    must hold a bachelor's degree or higher or have completed
24    at least 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited
25    institution of higher education.
26        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years.

 

 

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1        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute
2    teaching in every county of this State. If an individual
3    has had his or her Professional Educator License or
4    Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked or
5    has not met the renewal requirements for licensure, then
6    that individual is not eligible to obtain a Substitute
7    Teaching License.
8        A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a
9    licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing
10    board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under
11    contract because of an emergency situation, then a district
12    may employ a substitute teacher for no longer than 45
13    school days or one full quarter of the school year,
14    whichever is greater, 30 calendar days per each vacant
15    position in the district if the district notifies the
16    appropriate regional office of education within 5 business
17    days after the employment of the substitute teacher in the
18    emergency situation. An emergency situation is one in which
19    an unforeseen vacancy has occurred and (i) a teacher is
20    unable to fulfill his or her contractual duties or (ii)
21    teacher capacity needs of the district exceed previous
22    indications, and the district is actively engaged in
23    advertising to hire a fully licensed teacher for the vacant
24    position.
25        There is no limit on the number of days that a
26    substitute teacher may teach in a single school district,

 

 

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1    provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer
2    than 90 school days for any one licensed teacher under
3    contract in the same school year. A substitute teacher who
4    holds a Professional Educator License or Educator License
5    with Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school
6    days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
7    same school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on
8    the number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do
9    not apply to any school district operating under Article 34
10    of this Code.
11(Source: P.A. 99-35, eff. 1-1-16; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-143,
12eff. 7-27-15; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-8,
13eff. 7-1-17; 100-13, eff. 7-1-17; 100-288, eff. 8-24-17;
14revised 9-25-17.)
 
15    (105 ILCS 5/21B-25)
16    Sec. 21B-25. Endorsement on licenses. All licenses issued
17under paragraph (1) of Section 21B-20 of this Code shall be
18specifically endorsed by the State Board of Education for each
19content area, school support area, and administrative area for
20which the holder of the license is qualified. Recognized
21institutions approved to offer educator preparation programs
22shall be trained to add endorsements to licenses issued to
23applicants who meet all of the requirements for the endorsement
24or endorsements, including passing any required tests. The
25State Superintendent of Education shall randomly audit

 

 

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1institutions to ensure that all rules and standards are being
2followed for entitlement or when endorsements are being
3recommended.
4        (1) The State Board of Education, in consultation with
5    the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall
6    establish, by rule, the grade level and subject area
7    endorsements to be added to the Professional Educator
8    License. These rules shall outline the requirements for
9    obtaining each endorsement.
10        (2) In addition to any and all grade level and content
11    area endorsements developed by rule, the State Board of
12    Education, in consultation with the State Educator
13    Preparation and Licensure Board, shall develop the
14    requirements for the following endorsements:
15            (A) (Blank). General administrative endorsement. A
16        general administrative endorsement shall be added to a
17        Professional Educator License, provided that an
18        approved program has been completed. An individual
19        holding a general administrative endorsement may work
20        only as a principal or assistant principal or in a
21        related or similar position, as determined by the State
22        Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the
23        State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
24            Beginning on September 1, 2014, the general
25        administrative endorsement shall no longer be issued
26        except to individuals who completed all coursework

 

 

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1        requirements for the receipt of the general
2        administrative endorsement by September 1, 2014, who
3        have completed all testing requirements by June 30,
4        2016, and who apply for the endorsement on or before
5        June 30, 2016. Individuals who hold a valid and
6        registered administrative certificate with a general
7        administrative endorsement issued under Section 21-7.1
8        of this Code or a Professional Educator License with a
9        general administrative endorsement issued prior to
10        September 1, 2014 and who have served for at least one
11        full year during the 5 years prior in a position
12        requiring a general administrative endorsement shall,
13        upon request to the State Board of Education and
14        through July 1, 2015, have their respective general
15        administrative endorsement converted to a principal
16        endorsement on the Professional Educator License.
17        Candidates shall not be admitted to an approved general
18        administrative preparation program after September 1,
19        2012.
20            All other individuals holding a valid and
21        registered administrative certificate with a general
22        administrative endorsement issued pursuant to Section
23        21-7.1 of this Code or a general administrative
24        endorsement on a Professional Educator License issued
25        prior to September 1, 2014 shall have the general
26        administrative endorsement converted to a principal

 

 

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1        endorsement on a Professional Educator License upon
2        request to the State Board of Education and by
3        completing one of the following pathways:
4                (i) Passage of the State principal assessment
5            developed by the State Board of Education.
6                (ii) Through July 1, 2019, completion of an
7            Illinois Educators' Academy course designated by
8            the State Superintendent of Education.
9                (iii) Completion of a principal preparation
10            program established and approved pursuant to
11            Section 21B-60 of this Code and applicable rules.
12            Individuals who do not choose to convert the
13        general administrative endorsement on the
14        administrative certificate issued pursuant to Section
15        21-7.1 of this Code or on the Professional Educator
16        License shall continue to be able to serve in any
17        position previously allowed under paragraph (2) of
18        subsection (e) of Section 21-7.1 of this Code.
19            The general administrative endorsement on the
20        Professional Educator License is available only to
21        individuals who, prior to September 1, 2014, had such
22        an endorsement on the administrative certificate
23        issued pursuant to Section 21-7.1 of this Code or who
24        already have a Professional Educator License and have
25        completed a general administrative program and who do
26        not choose to convert the general administrative

 

 

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1        endorsement to a principal endorsement pursuant to the
2        options in this Section.
3            (B) Principal endorsement. A principal endorsement
4        shall be affixed to a Professional Educator License of
5        any holder who qualifies by having all of the
6        following:
7                (i) Successful completion of a principal
8            preparation program approved in accordance with
9            Section 21B-60 of this Code and any applicable
10            rules.
11                (ii) At least 4 total years of teaching or 4
12            total years of working in the capacity of school
13            support personnel in an Illinois public school or
14            nonpublic school recognized by the State Board of
15            Education or in an out-of-state public school or
16            out-of-state nonpublic school meeting out-of-state
17            recognition standards comparable to those approved
18            by the State Superintendent of Education; however,
19            the State Board of Education, in consultation with
20            the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
21            Board, shall allow, by rules, for fewer than 4
22            years of experience based on meeting standards set
23            forth in such rules, including without limitation
24            a review of performance evaluations or other
25            evidence of demonstrated qualifications.
26                (iii) A master's degree or higher from a

 

 

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1            regionally accredited college or university.
2            (C) Chief school business official endorsement. A
3        chief school business official endorsement shall be
4        affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
5        holder who qualifies by having a master's degree or
6        higher, 2 years of full-time administrative experience
7        in school business management or 2 years of
8        university-approved practical experience, and a
9        minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate credit in a
10        program approved by the State Board of Education for
11        the preparation of school business administrators and
12        by passage of the applicable State tests. The chief
13        school business official endorsement may also be
14        affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
15        holder who qualifies by having a master's degree in
16        business administration, finance, accounting, or
17        public administration and who completes an additional
18        6 semester hours of internship in school business
19        management from a regionally accredited institution of
20        higher education and passes the applicable State
21        tests. This endorsement shall be required for any
22        individual employed as a chief school business
23        official.
24            (D) Superintendent endorsement. A superintendent
25        endorsement shall be affixed to the Professional
26        Educator License of any holder who has completed a

 

 

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1        program approved by the State Board of Education for
2        the preparation of superintendents of schools, has had
3        at least 2 years of experience employed full-time in a
4        general administrative position or as a full-time
5        principal, director of special education, or chief
6        school business official in the public schools or in a
7        State-recognized nonpublic school in which the chief
8        administrator is required to have the licensure
9        necessary to be a principal in a public school in this
10        State and where a majority of the teachers are required
11        to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a
12        public school in this State, and has passed the
13        required State tests; or of any holder who has
14        completed a program that is not an Illinois-approved
15        educator preparation program at an Illinois
16        institution of higher education and that has
17        recognition standards comparable to those approved by
18        the State Superintendent of Education and holds the
19        general administrative, principal, or chief school
20        business official endorsement and who has had 2 years
21        of experience as a principal, director of special
22        education, or chief school business official while
23        holding a valid educator license or certificate
24        comparable in validity and educational and experience
25        requirements and has passed the appropriate State
26        tests, as provided in Section 21B-30 of this Code. The

 

 

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1        superintendent endorsement shall allow individuals to
2        serve only as a superintendent or assistant
3        superintendent.
4            (E) Teacher leader endorsement. It shall be the
5        policy of this State to improve the quality of
6        instructional leaders by providing a career pathway
7        for teachers interested in serving in leadership
8        roles, but not as principals. The State Board of
9        Education, in consultation with the State Educator
10        Preparation and Licensure Board, may issue a teacher
11        leader endorsement under this subdivision (E). Persons
12        who meet and successfully complete the requirements of
13        the endorsement shall be issued a teacher leader
14        endorsement on the Professional Educator License for
15        serving in schools in this State. Teacher leaders may
16        qualify to serve in such positions as department
17        chairs, coaches, mentors, curriculum and instruction
18        leaders, or other leadership positions as defined by
19        the district. The endorsement shall be available to
20        those teachers who (i) hold a Professional Educator
21        License, (ii) hold a master's degree or higher from a
22        regionally accredited institution, (iii) have
23        completed a program of study that has been approved by
24        the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
25        State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, or
26        have completed a comparable teacher leader program of

 

 

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1        study in another state, or and (iv) have successfully
2        demonstrated competencies as defined by rule.
3            A teacher who meets the requirements set forth in
4        this Section and holds a teacher leader endorsement may
5        evaluate teachers pursuant to Section 24A-5 of this
6        Code, provided that the individual has completed the
7        evaluation component required by Section 24A-3 of this
8        Code and a teacher leader is allowed to evaluate
9        personnel under the respective school district's
10        collective bargaining agreement.
11            The State Board of Education, in consultation with
12        the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board,
13        may adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish
14        and implement the teacher leader endorsement program
15        and to specify the positions for which this endorsement
16        shall be required.
17            (F) Special education endorsement. A special
18        education endorsement in one or more areas shall be
19        affixed to a Professional Educator License for any
20        individual that meets those requirements established
21        by the State Board of Education in rules. Special
22        education endorsement areas shall include without
23        limitation the following:
24                (i) Learning Behavior Specialist I;
25                (ii) Learning Behavior Specialist II;
26                (iii) Speech Language Pathologist;

 

 

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1                (iv) Blind or Visually Impaired;
2                (v) Deaf-Hard of Hearing;
3                (vi) Early Childhood Special Education; and
4                (vii) Director of Special Education.
5        Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the contrary,
6        the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
7        State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may
8        add additional areas of special education by rule.
9            (G) School support personnel endorsement. School
10        support personnel endorsement areas shall include, but
11        are not limited to, school counselor, marriage and
12        family therapist, school psychologist, school speech
13        and language pathologist, school nurse, and school
14        social worker. This endorsement is for individuals who
15        are not teachers or administrators, but still require
16        licensure to work in an instructional support position
17        in a public or State-operated elementary school,
18        secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement
19        with a governing body or board of control or a charter
20        school operating in compliance with the Charter
21        Schools Law. The school support personnel endorsement
22        shall be affixed to the Professional Educator License
23        and shall meet all of the requirements established in
24        any rules adopted to implement this subdivision (G).
25        The holder of such an endorsement is entitled to all of
26        the rights and privileges granted holders of any other

 

 

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1        Professional Educator License, including teacher
2        benefits, compensation, and working conditions.
3            Beginning on January 1, 2014 and ending on April
4        30, 2014, a person holding a Professional Educator
5        License with a school speech and language pathologist
6        (teaching) endorsement may exchange his or her school
7        speech and language pathologist (teaching) endorsement
8        for a school speech and language pathologist
9        (non-teaching) endorsement through application to the
10        State Board of Education. There shall be no cost for
11        this exchange.
12(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-623, eff. 7-22-16;
1399-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-13, eff. 7-1-17; 100-267, eff.
148-22-17; 100-288, eff. 8-24-17; revised 9-25-17.)
 
15    (105 ILCS 5/21B-30)
16    Sec. 21B-30. Educator testing.
17    (a) This Section applies beginning on July 1, 2012.
18    (b) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
19State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall design
20and implement a system of examinations, which shall be required
21prior to the issuance of educator licenses. These examinations
22and indicators must be based on national and State professional
23teaching standards, as determined by the State Board of
24Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
25and Licensure Board. The State Board of Education may adopt

 

 

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1such rules as may be necessary to implement and administer this
2Section.
3    (c) Except as otherwise provided in this Article,
4applicants Applicants seeking a Professional Educator License
5or an Educator License with Stipulations shall be required to
6pass a test of basic skills before the license is issued,
7unless the endorsement the individual is seeking does not
8require passage of the test. All applicants completing
9Illinois-approved, teacher education or school service
10personnel preparation programs shall be required to pass the
11State Board of Education's recognized test of basic skills
12prior to starting their student teaching or starting the final
13semester of their internship, unless required earlier at the
14discretion of the recognized, Illinois institution in which
15they are completing their approved program. An individual who
16passes a test of basic skills does not need to do so again for
17subsequent endorsements or other educator licenses.
18    (d) All applicants seeking a State license shall be
19required to pass a test of content area knowledge for each area
20of endorsement for which there is an applicable test. There
21shall be no exception to this requirement. No candidate shall
22be allowed to student teach or serve as the teacher of record
23until he or she has passed the applicable content area test.
24    (e) (Blank). and completing their student teaching
25experience no later than August 31, 2015 Prior to September 1,
262015, passage The APT shall be available through August 31,

 

 

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12020.
2    (f) Except as otherwise provided in this Article, beginning
3on September 1, 2015, all candidates completing teacher
4preparation programs in this State and all candidates subject
5to Section 21B-35 of this Code are required to pass an
6evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness approved by
7the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
8Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. All recognized
9institutions offering approved teacher preparation programs
10must begin phasing in the approved teacher performance
11assessment no later than July 1, 2013.
12    (g) Tests of basic skills and content area knowledge and
13the teacher performance assessment assessment of professional
14teaching shall be the tests that from time to time are
15designated by the State Board of Education, in consultation
16with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and
17may be tests prepared by an educational testing organization or
18tests designed by the State Board of Education, in consultation
19with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. The
20areas to be covered by a test of basic skills shall include
21reading, language arts, and mathematics. The test of content
22area knowledge shall assess content knowledge in a specific
23subject field. The tests must be designed to be racially
24neutral to ensure that no person taking the tests is
25discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national
26origin, or other factors unrelated to the person's ability to

 

 

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1perform as a licensed employee. The score required to pass the
2tests shall be fixed by the State Board of Education, in
3consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
4Board. The tests shall be administered not fewer than 3 times a
5year at such time and place as may be designated by the State
6Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator
7Preparation and Licensure Board.
8    The State Board shall implement a test or tests to assess
9the speaking, reading, writing, and grammar skills of
10applicants for an endorsement or a license issued under
11subdivision (G) of paragraph (2) of Section 21B-20 of this Code
12in the English language and in the language of the transitional
13bilingual education program requested by the applicant.
14    (h) Except as provided in Section 34-6 of this Code, the
15provisions of this Section shall apply equally in any school
16district subject to Article 34 of this Code.
17    (i) The rules developed to implement and enforce the
18testing requirements under this Section shall include without
19limitation provisions governing test selection, test
20validation and determination of a passing score,
21administration of the tests, frequency of administration,
22applicant fees, frequency of applicants taking the tests, the
23years for which a score is valid, and appropriate special
24accommodations. The State Board of Education shall develop such
25rules as may be needed to ensure uniformity from year to year
26in the level of difficulty for each form of an assessment.

 

 

HB5627- 38 -LRB100 17397 AXK 35881 b

1(Source: P.A. 98-361, eff. 1-1-14; 98-581, eff. 8-27-13;
298-756, eff. 7-16-14; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-657, eff.
37-28-16; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17; revised 1-23-17.)
 
4    (105 ILCS 5/21B-35)
5    Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in
6other states or countries.
7    (a) Any applicant who has All applicants who have not been
8entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program
9at an Illinois institution of higher education applying for a
10Professional Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or
11school support personnel area must meet all of the following
12requirements:
13        (1) the applicant must:
14            (A) hold a comparable and valid educator license or
15        certificate with similar grade level and content area
16        credentials from another state, with the State Board of
17        Education having the authority to determine what
18        constitutes similar grade level and content area
19        credentials from another state; and
20            (B) have a degree from a regionally accredited
21        institution of higher education; or
22        (2) the applicant must:
23            (A) have completed a state-approved program for
24        the licensure area sought, including coursework
25        concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional

 

 

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1        child, methods of reading and reading in the content
2        area, and instructional strategies for English
3        learners;
4            (B) have a degree from a regionally accredited
5        institution of higher education;
6            (C) have successfully met all Illinois examination
7        requirements, except that:
8                (i) an applicant who has successfully
9            completed a test of basic skills, as defined by
10            rules, at the time of initial licensure in another
11            state is not required to complete a test of basic
12            skills;
13                (ii) an applicant who has successfully
14            completed a test of content, as defined by rules,
15            at the time of initial licensure in another state
16            is not required to complete a test of content; and
17                (iii) an applicant for a teaching endorsement
18            who has successfully completed an evidence-based
19            assessment of teacher effectiveness, as defined by
20            rules, at the time of initial licensure in another
21            state is not required to complete an
22            evidence-based assessment of teacher
23            effectiveness; and
24            (D) for an applicant for a teaching endorsement,
25        have completed student teaching or an equivalent
26        experience or, for an applicant for a school service

 

 

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1        personnel endorsement, have completed an internship or
2        an equivalent experience. (1) Hold a comparable and
3        valid educator license or certificate with similar
4        grade level and subject matter credentials from
5        another state. The State Board of Education shall have
6        the authority to determine what constitutes similar
7        grade level and subject matter credentials from
8        another state. A comparable educator license or
9        certificate is one that demonstrates that the license
10        or certificate holder meets similar requirements as
11        candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
12        preparation program in teaching or school support
13        personnel areas concerning coursework aligned to
14        standards concerning methods of instruction of the
15        exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in
16        the content area, and instructional strategies for
17        English learners. An applicant who holds a comparable
18        and valid educator license or certificate from another
19        state must submit verification to the State Board of
20        Education that the applicant has completed coursework
21        concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
22        child, methods of reading and reading in the content
23        area, and instructional strategies for English
24        learners.
25        (2) Have a degree from a regionally accredited
26    institution of higher education.

 

 

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1        (3) (Blank).
2        (4) (Blank).
3        (5) (Blank).
4        (6) Have successfully met all Illinois examination
5    requirements. Applicants who have successfully completed a
6    test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
7    initial licensure in another state shall not be required to
8    complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who have
9    successfully completed a test of content, as defined by
10    rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state
11    shall not be required to complete a test of content.
12    Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have
13    successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of
14    teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of
15    initial licensure in another state shall not be required to
16    complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher
17    effectiveness.
18        (7) For applicants for a teaching endorsement, have
19    completed student teaching or an equivalent experience or,
20    for applicants for a school service personnel endorsement,
21    have completed an internship or an equivalent experience.
22    If one or more of the criteria in this subsection (a) are
23not met, then applicants who have not been entitled by an
24Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
25institution of higher education who hold a valid, comparable
26certificate from another state may qualify for a provisional

 

 

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1educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations,
2in accordance with Section 21B-20 of this Code.
3    (b) In order to receive a Professional Educator License
4endorsed in a teaching field, applicants trained in another
5country must meet all of the following requirements:
6        (1) Have completed a comparable education program in
7    another country.
8        (2) Have had transcripts evaluated by an evaluation
9    service approved by the State Superintendent of Education.
10        (3) Have a degree comparable to a degree from a
11    regionally accredited institution of higher education.
12        (4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
13    concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
14    child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
15    and instructional strategies for English learners.
16        (5) (Blank).
17        (6) (Blank).
18        (7) Have successfully met all State licensure
19    examination requirements. Applicants who have successfully
20    completed a test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at
21    the time of initial licensure in another country shall not
22    be required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants
23    who have successfully completed a test of content, as
24    defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in
25    another country shall not be required to complete a test of
26    content. Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have

 

 

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1    successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of
2    teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of
3    initial licensure in another country shall not be required
4    to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher
5    effectiveness.
6        (8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent
7    experience.
8    (b-5) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
9Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
10institution of higher education and applicants trained in
11another country applying for a Professional Educator License
12endorsed for principal or superintendent must hold a master's
13degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher
14education and must hold a comparable and valid educator license
15or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter
16credentials from another state, with the State Board of
17Education having the authority to determine what constitutes
18similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another
19state, or must meet all of the following requirements:
20        (1) Have completed an educator preparation program
21    approved by another state or comparable educator program in
22    another country leading to the receipt of a license or
23    certificate for the Illinois endorsement sought.
24        (2) Have successfully met all State licensure
25    examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of
26    this Code. Applicants who have successfully completed a

 

 

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1    test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
2    initial licensure in another state or country shall not be
3    required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who
4    have successfully completed a test of content, as defined
5    by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state
6    or country shall not be required to complete a test of
7    content.
8        (2.5) Have completed an internship, as defined by rule.
9        (3) (Blank).
10        (4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
11    concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
12    child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
13    and instructional strategies for English learners.
14        (5) Have completed a master's degree.
15        (6) Have successfully completed teaching, school
16    support, or administrative experience as defined by rule.
17    A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a
18superintendent or principal may be affixed to an Educator
19License with Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of
20this Code.
21    (b-7) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
22Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
23institution of higher education applying for a Professional
24Educator License endorsed for Director of Special Education
25must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited
26institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and

 

 

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1valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level
2and subject matter credentials from another state, with the
3State Board of Education having the authority to determine what
4constitutes similar grade level and subject matter credentials
5from another state, or must meet all of the following
6requirements:
7        (1) Have completed a master's degree.
8        (2) Have 2 years of full-time experience providing
9    special education services.
10        (3) Have successfully completed all examination
11    requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
12    Applicants who have successfully completed a test of
13    content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial
14    licensure in another state or country shall not be required
15    to complete a test of content.
16        (4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
17    concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
18    child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
19    and instructional strategies for English learners.
20    A provisional educator endorsement to serve as Director of
21Special Education may be affixed to an Educator License with
22Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of this Code.
23    (b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
24Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
25institution of higher education applying for a Professional
26Educator License endorsed for chief school business official

 

 

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1must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited
2institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and
3valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level
4and subject matter credentials from another state, with the
5State Board of Education having the authority to determine what
6constitutes similar grade level and subject matter credentials
7from another state, or must meet all of the following
8requirements:
9        (1) Have completed a master's degree in school business
10    management, finance, or accounting.
11        (2) Have successfully completed an internship in
12    school business management or have 2 years of experience as
13    a school business administrator.
14        (3) Have successfully met all State examination
15    requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
16    Applicants who have successfully completed a test of
17    content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial
18    licensure in another state or country shall not be required
19    to complete a test of content.
20        (4) Have completed modules aligned to standards
21    concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
22    child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
23    and instructional strategies for English learners.
24    A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a chief
25school business official may be affixed to an Educator License
26with Stipulations.

 

 

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1    (c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
2State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
3rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.
4(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-13,
5eff. 7-1-17.)
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/21B-40)
7    Sec. 21B-40. Fees.
8    (a) Beginning with the start of the new licensure system
9established pursuant to this Article, the following fees shall
10be charged to applicants:
11        (1) A $100 $75 application fee for a Professional
12    Educator License or an Educator License with Stipulations.
13    However, beginning on January 1, 2015, the application fee
14    for a Professional Educator License and Educator License
15    with Stipulations shall be $100.
16        (1.5) A $50 application fee for a Substitute Teaching
17    License. If the application for a Substitute Teaching
18    License is made and granted after July 1, 2017, the
19    licensee may apply for a refund of the application fee
20    within 18 months of issuance of the new license and shall
21    be issued that refund by the State Board of Education if
22    the licensee provides evidence to the State Board of
23    Education that the licensee has taught pursuant to the
24    Substitute Teaching License at least 10 full school days
25    within one year of issuance.

 

 

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1        (2) A $150 application fee for individuals who have not
2    been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation
3    program at an Illinois institution of higher education and
4    are seeking any of the licenses set forth in subdivision
5    (1) of this subsection (a).
6        (3) A $50 application fee for each endorsement or
7    approval an individual holding a license wishes to add to
8    that license.
9        (4) A $10 per year registration fee for the course of
10    the validity cycle to register the license, which shall be
11    paid to the regional office of education having supervision
12    and control over the school in which the individual holding
13    the license is to be employed. If the individual holding
14    the license is not yet employed, then the license may be
15    registered in any county in this State. The registration
16    fee must be paid in its entirety the first time the
17    individual registers the license for a particular validity
18    period in a single region. No additional fee may be charged
19    for that validity period should the individual
20    subsequently register the license in additional regions.
21    An individual must register the license (i) immediately
22    after initial issuance of the license and (ii) at the
23    beginning of each renewal cycle if the individual has
24    satisfied the renewal requirements required under this
25    Code.
26        Beginning on July 1, 2017, at the beginning of each

 

 

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1    renewal cycle, individuals who hold a Substitute Teaching
2    License may apply for a reimbursement of the registration
3    fee within 18 months of renewal and shall be issued that
4    reimbursement by the State Board of Education from funds
5    appropriated for that purpose if the licensee provides
6    evidence to the State Board of Education that the licensee
7    has taught pursuant to the Substitute Teaching License at
8    least 10 full school days within one year of renewal.
9    (b) All application fees paid pursuant to subdivisions (1)
10through (3) of subsection (a) of this Section shall be
11deposited into the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund and
12shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board of
13Education to provide the technology and human resources
14necessary for the timely and efficient processing of
15applications and for the renewal of licenses. Funds available
16from the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund may also be
17used by the State Board of Education to support the recruitment
18and retention of educators, to support educator preparation
19programs as they seek national accreditation, and to provide
20professional development aligned with the requirements set
21forth in Section 21B-45 of this Code. A majority of the funds
22in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund must be dedicated
23to the timely and efficient processing of applications and for
24the renewal of licenses. The Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
25Fund is not subject to administrative charge transfers,
26authorized under Section 8h of the State Finance Act, from the

 

 

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1Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund into any other fund of
2this State, and moneys in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
3Fund shall not revert back to the General Revenue Fund at any
4time.
5    The regional superintendent of schools shall deposit the
6registration fees paid pursuant to subdivision (4) of
7subsection (a) of this Section into the institute fund
8established pursuant to Section 3-11 of this Code.
9    (c) The State Board of Education and each regional office
10of education are authorized to charge a service or convenience
11fee for the use of credit cards for the payment of license
12fees. This service or convenience fee shall not exceed the
13amount required by the credit card processing company or vendor
14that has entered into a contract with the State Board or
15regional office of education for this purpose, and the fee must
16be paid to that company or vendor.
17    (d) If, at the time a certificate issued under Article 21
18of this Code is exchanged for a license issued under this
19Article, a person has paid registration fees for any years of
20the validity period of the certificate and these years have not
21expired when the certificate is exchanged, then those fees must
22be applied to the registration of the new license.
23(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17;
24100-550, eff. 11-8-17.)
 
25    (105 ILCS 5/21B-45)

 

 

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1    Sec. 21B-45. Professional Educator License renewal.
2    (a) Individuals holding a Professional Educator License
3are required to complete the licensure renewal requirements as
4specified in this Section, unless otherwise provided in this
5Code.
6    Individuals holding a Professional Educator License shall
7meet the renewal requirements set forth in this Section, unless
8otherwise provided in this Code. If an individual holds a
9license endorsed in more than one area that has different
10renewal requirements, that individual shall follow the renewal
11requirements for the position for which he or she spends the
12majority of his or her time working.
13    (b) All Professional Educator Licenses not renewed as
14provided in this Section shall lapse on September 1 of that
15year. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, if
16a license holder's electronic mail address is available, the
17State Board of Education shall send him or her notification
18electronically that his or her license will lapse if not
19renewed, to be sent no more than 6 months prior to the license
20lapsing. Lapsed licenses may be immediately reinstated upon (i)
21payment by the applicant of a $500 penalty to the State Board
22of Education or (ii) the demonstration of proficiency by
23completing 9 semester hours of coursework from a regionally
24accredited institution of higher education in the content area
25that most aligns with one or more of the educator's endorsement
26areas. Any and all back fees, including without limitation

 

 

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1registration fees owed from the time of expiration of the
2license until the date of reinstatement, shall be paid and kept
3in accordance with the provisions in Article 3 of this Code
4concerning an institute fund and the provisions in Article 21B
5of this Code concerning fees and requirements for registration.
6Licenses not registered in accordance with Section 21B-40 of
7this Code shall lapse after a period of 6 months from the
8expiration of the last year of registration or on January 1 of
9the fiscal year following initial issuance of the license. An
10unregistered license is invalid after September 1 for
11employment and performance of services in an Illinois public or
12State-operated school or cooperative and in a charter school.
13Any license or endorsement may be voluntarily surrendered by
14the license holder. A voluntarily surrendered license, except a
15substitute teaching license issued under Section 21B-20 of this
16Code, shall be treated as a revoked license. An Educator
17License with Stipulations with only a paraprofessional
18endorsement does not lapse.
19    (c) From July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, in order to
20satisfy the requirements for licensure renewal provided for in
21this Section, each professional educator licensee with an
22administrative endorsement who is working in a position
23requiring such endorsement shall complete one Illinois
24Administrators' Academy course, as described in Article 2 of
25this Code, per fiscal year.
26    (d) Beginning July 1, 2014, in order to satisfy the

 

 

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1requirements for licensure renewal provided for in this
2Section, each professional educator licensee may create a
3professional development plan each year. The plan shall address
4one or more of the endorsements that are required of his or her
5educator position if the licensee is employed and performing
6services in an Illinois public or State-operated school or
7cooperative. If the licensee is employed in a charter school,
8the plan shall address that endorsement or those endorsements
9most closely related to his or her educator position. Licensees
10employed and performing services in any other Illinois schools
11may participate in the renewal requirements by adhering to the
12same process.
13    Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the
14licensee's professional development activities shall align
15with one or more of the following criteria:
16        (1) activities are of a type that engage participants
17    over a sustained period of time allowing for analysis,
18    discovery, and application as they relate to student
19    learning, social or emotional achievement, or well-being;
20        (2) professional development aligns to the licensee's
21    performance;
22        (3) outcomes for the activities must relate to student
23    growth or district improvement;
24        (4) activities align to State-approved standards; and
25        (5) higher education coursework.
26    (e) For each renewal cycle, each professional educator

 

 

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1licensee shall engage in professional development activities.
2Professional development may be completed from the time an
3individual's license is issued or reinstated through June 30 of
4the renewal year. Prior to renewal, the licensee shall enter
5electronically into the Educator Licensure Information System
6(ELIS) the name, date, and location of the activity, the number
7of professional development hours, and the provider's name. The
8following provisions shall apply concerning professional
9development activities:
10        (1) Each licensee shall complete a total of 120 hours
11    of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in
12    order to renew the license, except as otherwise provided in
13    this Section.
14        (2) Beginning with his or her first full 5-year cycle,
15    any licensee with an administrative endorsement who is not
16    working in a position requiring such endorsement is not
17    required to complete Illinois Administrators' Academy
18    courses, as described in Article 2 of this Code. Such
19    licensees must complete one Illinois Administrators'
20    Academy course within one year after returning to a
21    position that requires the administrative endorsement.
22        (3) Any licensee with an administrative endorsement
23    who is working in a position requiring such endorsement or
24    an individual with a Teacher Leader endorsement serving in
25    an administrative capacity at least 50% of the day shall
26    complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course, as

 

 

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1    described in Article 2 of this Code, each fiscal year in
2    addition to 100 hours of professional development per
3    5-year renewal cycle in accordance with this Code.
4        (4) Any licensee holding a current National Board for
5    Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) master teacher
6    designation shall complete a total of 60 hours of
7    professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in order
8    to renew the license.
9        (5) Licensees working in a position that does not
10    require educator licensure or working in a position for
11    less than 50% for any particular year are considered to be
12    exempt and shall be required to pay only the registration
13    fee in order to renew and maintain the validity of the
14    license.
15        (6) Licensees who are retired and qualify for benefits
16    from a State of Illinois retirement system shall notify the
17    State Board of Education using ELIS, and the license shall
18    be maintained in retired status. For any renewal cycle in
19    which a licensee retires during the renewal cycle, the
20    licensee must complete professional development activities
21    on a prorated basis depending on the number of years during
22    the renewal cycle the educator held an active license. If a
23    licensee retires during a renewal cycle, the licensee must
24    notify the State Board of Education using ELIS that the
25    licensee wishes to maintain the license in retired status
26    and must show proof of completion of professional

 

 

HB5627- 56 -LRB100 17397 AXK 35881 b

1    development activities on a prorated basis for all years of
2    that renewal cycle for which the license was active. An
3    individual with a license in retired status shall not be
4    required to complete professional development activities
5    or pay registration fees until returning to a position that
6    requires educator licensure. Upon returning to work in a
7    position that requires the Professional Educator License,
8    the licensee shall immediately pay a registration fee and
9    complete renewal requirements for that year. A license in
10    retired status cannot lapse. Beginning on January 6, 2017
11    (the effective date of Public Act 99-920) through December
12    31, 2017, any licensee who has retired and whose license
13    has lapsed for failure to renew as provided in this Section
14    may reinstate that license and maintain it in retired
15    status upon providing proof to the State Board of Education
16    using ELIS that the licensee is retired and is not working
17    in a position that requires a Professional Educator
18    License.
19        (7) For any renewal cycle in which professional
20    development hours were required, but not fulfilled, the
21    licensee shall complete any missed hours to total the
22    minimum professional development hours required in this
23    Section prior to September 1 of that year. For any fiscal
24    year or renewal cycle in which an Illinois Administrators'
25    Academy course was required but not completed, the licensee
26    shall complete any missed Illinois Administrators' Academy

 

 

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1    courses prior to September 1 of that year. The licensee may
2    complete all deficient hours and Illinois Administrators'
3    Academy courses while continuing to work in a position that
4    requires that license until September 1 of that year.
5        (8) Any licensee who has not fulfilled the professional
6    development renewal requirements set forth in this Section
7    at the end of any 5-year renewal cycle is ineligible to
8    register his or her license and may submit an appeal to the
9    State Superintendent of Education for reinstatement of the
10    license.
11        (9) If professional development opportunities were
12    unavailable to a licensee, proof that opportunities were
13    unavailable and request for an extension of time beyond
14    August 31 to complete the renewal requirements may be
15    submitted from April 1 through June 30 of that year to the
16    State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. If an
17    extension is approved, the license shall remain valid
18    during the extension period.
19        (10) Individuals who hold exempt licenses prior to
20    December 27, 2013 (the effective date of Public Act 98-610)
21    shall commence the annual renewal process with the first
22    scheduled registration due after December 27, 2013 (the
23    effective date of Public Act 98-610).
24        (11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
25    subsection (e), if a licensee earns more than the required
26    number of professional development hours during a renewal

 

 

HB5627- 58 -LRB100 17397 AXK 35881 b

1    cycle, then the licensee may carry over any hours earned
2    from April 1 through June 30 of the last year of the
3    renewal cycle. Any hours carried over in this manner must
4    be applied to the next renewal cycle. Illinois
5    Administrators' Academy courses or hours earned in those
6    courses may not be carried over.
7    (f) At the time of renewal, each licensee shall respond to
8the required questions under penalty of perjury.
9    (f-5) The State Board of Education shall conduct random
10audits of licensees to verify a licensee's fulfillment of the
11professional development hours required under this Section.
12If, upon completion of a random audit, the State Board
13determines a licensee has not completed or has not provided
14sufficient proof of completion of the required number of
15professional development hours, the State Board shall notify
16the licensee that his or her license has lapsed. A lapsed
17license may be reinstated under subsection (b) of this Section.
18    (g) The following entities shall be designated as approved
19to provide professional development activities for the renewal
20of Professional Educator Licenses:
21        (1) The State Board of Education.
22        (2) Regional offices of education and intermediate
23    service centers.
24        (3) Illinois professional associations representing
25    the following groups that are approved by the State
26    Superintendent of Education:

 

 

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1            (A) school administrators;
2            (B) principals;
3            (C) school business officials;
4            (D) teachers, including special education
5        teachers;
6            (E) school boards;
7            (F) school districts;
8            (G) parents; and
9            (H) school service personnel.
10        (4) Regionally accredited institutions of higher
11    education that offer Illinois-approved educator
12    preparation programs and public community colleges subject
13    to the Public Community College Act.
14        (5) Illinois public school districts, charter schools
15    authorized under Article 27A of this Code, and joint
16    educational programs authorized under Article 10 of this
17    Code for the purposes of providing career and technical
18    education or special education services.
19        (6) A not-for-profit organization that, as of December
20    31, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act 98-1147), has
21    had or has a grant from or a contract with the State Board
22    of Education to provide professional development services
23    in the area of English Learning to Illinois school
24    districts, teachers, or administrators.
25        (7) State agencies, State boards, and State
26    commissions.

 

 

HB5627- 60 -LRB100 17397 AXK 35881 b

1        (8) Museums as defined in Section 10 of the Museum
2    Disposition of Property Act.
3    (h) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
4shall make available professional development opportunities
5that satisfy at least one of the following:
6        (1) increase the knowledge and skills of school and
7    district leaders who guide continuous professional
8    development;
9        (2) improve the learning of students;
10        (3) organize adults into learning communities whose
11    goals are aligned with those of the school and district;
12        (4) deepen educator's content knowledge;
13        (5) provide educators with research-based
14    instructional strategies to assist students in meeting
15    rigorous academic standards;
16        (6) prepare educators to appropriately use various
17    types of classroom assessments;
18        (7) use learning strategies appropriate to the
19    intended goals;
20        (8) provide educators with the knowledge and skills to
21    collaborate; or
22        (9) prepare educators to apply research to
23    decision-making.
24    (i) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
25shall do the following:
26        (1) align professional development activities to the

 

 

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1    State-approved national standards for professional
2    learning;
3        (2) meet the professional development criteria for
4    Illinois licensure renewal;
5        (3) produce a rationale for the activity that explains
6    how it aligns to State standards and identify the
7    assessment for determining the expected impact on student
8    learning or school improvement;
9        (4) maintain original documentation for completion of
10    activities; and
11        (5) provide license holders with evidence of
12    completion of activities; and .
13        (6) collect an Illinois Educator Identification Number
14    (IEIN) for each educator during each professional
15    development activity.
16    (j) The State Board of Education shall conduct annual
17audits of a subset of approved providers, except for school
18districts, which shall be audited by regional offices of
19education and intermediate service centers. The State Board of
20Education shall ensure that each approved provider, except for
21a school district, is audited at least once every 5 years. The
22State Board of Education may conduct more frequent audits of
23providers if evidence suggests the requirements of this Section
24or administrative rules are not being met. Each approved
25provider, except for school districts, that is audited by a
26regional office of education or intermediate service center

 

 

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1must be audited at least once every 5 years. The State Board of
2Education shall complete random audits of licensees.
3        (1) (Blank). Approved providers shall annually submit
4    to the State Board of Education a list of subcontractors
5    used for delivery of professional development activities
6    for which renewal credit was issued and other information
7    as defined by rule.
8        (2) Approved providers shall comply with the
9    requirements in subsections (h) and (i) of this Section by
10    annually submitting submit data to the State Board of
11    Education demonstrating how the professional development
12    activities impacted one or more of the following:
13            (A) educator and student growth in regards to
14        content knowledge or skills, or both;
15            (B) educator and student social and emotional
16        growth; or
17            (C) alignment to district or school improvement
18        plans.
19        (3) The State Superintendent of Education shall review
20    the annual data collected by the State Board of Education,
21    regional offices of education, and intermediate service
22    centers in audits to determine if the approved provider has
23    met the criteria and should continue to be an approved
24    provider or if further action should be taken as provided
25    in rules.
26    (k) Registration fees shall be paid for the next renewal

 

 

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1cycle between April 1 and June 30 in the last year of each
25-year renewal cycle using ELIS. If all required professional
3development hours for the renewal cycle have been completed and
4entered by the licensee, the licensee shall pay the
5registration fees for the next cycle using a form of credit or
6debit card.
7    (l) Any professional educator licensee endorsed for school
8support personnel who is employed and performing services in
9Illinois public schools and who holds an active and current
10professional license issued by the Department of Financial and
11Professional Regulation or a national certification board, as
12approved by the State Board of Education, related to the
13endorsement areas on the Professional Educator License shall be
14deemed to have satisfied the continuing professional
15development requirements provided for in this Section. Such
16individuals shall be required to pay only registration fees to
17renew the Professional Educator License. An individual who does
18not hold a license issued by the Department of Financial and
19Professional Regulation shall complete professional
20development requirements for the renewal of a Professional
21Educator License provided for in this Section.
22    (m) Appeals to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
23Board must be made within 30 days after receipt of notice from
24the State Superintendent of Education that a license will not
25be renewed based upon failure to complete the requirements of
26this Section. A licensee may appeal that decision to the State

 

 

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1Educator Preparation and Licensure Board in a manner prescribed
2by rule.
3        (1) Each appeal shall state the reasons why the State
4    Superintendent's decision should be reversed and shall be
5    sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
6    State Board of Education.
7        (2) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
8    shall review each appeal regarding renewal of a license
9    within 90 days after receiving the appeal in order to
10    determine whether the licensee has met the requirements of
11    this Section. The State Educator Preparation and Licensure
12    Board may hold an appeal hearing or may make its
13    determination based upon the record of review, which shall
14    consist of the following:
15            (A) the regional superintendent of education's
16        rationale for recommending nonrenewal of the license,
17        if applicable;
18            (B) any evidence submitted to the State
19        Superintendent along with the individual's electronic
20        statement of assurance for renewal; and
21            (C) the State Superintendent's rationale for
22        nonrenewal of the license.
23        (3) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
24    shall notify the licensee of its decision regarding license
25    renewal by certified mail, return receipt requested, no
26    later than 30 days after reaching a decision. Upon receipt

 

 

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1    of notification of renewal, the licensee, using ELIS, shall
2    pay the applicable registration fee for the next cycle
3    using a form of credit or debit card.
4    (n) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as may be
5necessary to implement this Section.
6(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-130, eff. 7-24-15;
799-591, eff. 1-1-17; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17;
8100-13, eff. 7-1-17; 100-339, eff. 8-25-17; revised 9-22-17.)
 
9    (105 ILCS 5/21B-50)
10    Sec. 21B-50. Alternative educator licensure program.
11    (a) There is established an alternative educator licensure
12program, to be known as the Alternative Educator Licensure
13Program for Teachers.
14    (b) Beginning on January 1, 2013, the Alternative Educator
15Licensure Program for Teachers may be offered by a recognized
16institution approved to offer educator preparation programs by
17the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
18Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
19    The program shall be comprised of 4 phases or, beginning on
20January 1, 2021, 3 phases, as follows:
21        (1) A course of study that at a minimum includes
22    instructional planning; instructional strategies,
23    including special education, reading, and English language
24    learning; classroom management; and the assessment of
25    students and use of data to drive instruction.

 

 

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1        (2) A year of residency, which is a candidate's
2    assignment to a full-time teaching position or as a
3    co-teacher for one full school year. An individual must
4    hold an Educator License with Stipulations with an
5    alternative provisional educator endorsement in order to
6    enter the residency and must complete additional program
7    requirements that address required State and national
8    standards, pass the assessment of professional teaching
9    (no later than the end of the first semester of the second
10    year of residency before entering the second residency
11    year, as required under phase (3) of this subsection (b),
12    if applicable), and be recommended by the principal and
13    program coordinator to continue with the second year of the
14    residency, if applicable.
15        (3) Until January 1, 2021, a A second year of
16    residency, which shall include the candidate's assignment
17    to a full-time teaching position for one school year. The
18    candidate must be assigned an experienced teacher to act as
19    a mentor and coach the candidate through the second year of
20    residency.
21        (4) A comprehensive assessment of the candidate's
22    teaching effectiveness, as evaluated by the principal and
23    the program coordinator, at the end of the second year of
24    residency. If there is disagreement between the 2
25    evaluators about the candidate's teaching effectiveness,
26    the candidate may complete one additional year of residency

 

 

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1    teaching under a professional development plan developed
2    by the principal and preparation program. At the completion
3    of the third year or second year, as applicable, a
4    candidate must have positive evaluations and a
5    recommendation for full licensure from both the principal
6    and the program coordinator or no Professional Educator
7    License shall be issued.
8    Successful completion of the program shall be deemed to
9satisfy any other practice or student teaching and content
10matter requirements established by law.
11    (c) An alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
12Educator License with Stipulations is valid for one year 2
13years of teaching in the public schools, including without
14limitation a charter school, or in a State-recognized nonpublic
15school in which the chief administrator is required to have the
16licensure necessary to be a principal in a public school in
17this State and in which a majority of the teachers are required
18to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a public
19school in this State, but may be renewed for a second third
20year if needed to complete the Alternative Educator Licensure
21Program for Teachers. The endorsement shall be issued only once
22to an individual who meets all of the following requirements:
23        (1) Has graduated from a regionally accredited college
24    or university with a bachelor's degree or higher.
25        (2) Has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or
26    greater on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent on another scale.

 

 

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1        (3) Has completed a major in the content area if
2    seeking a middle or secondary level endorsement or, if
3    seeking an early childhood, elementary, or special
4    education endorsement, has completed a major in the content
5    area of reading, English/language arts, mathematics, or
6    one of the sciences. If the individual does not have a
7    major in a content area for any level of teaching, he or
8    she must submit transcripts to the State Board
9    Superintendent of Education to be reviewed for
10    equivalency.
11        (4) Has successfully completed phase (1) of subsection
12    (b) of this Section.
13        (5) Has passed a test of basic skills and content area
14    test required for the specific endorsement for admission
15    into the program, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
16    Code.
17    A candidate possessing the alternative provisional
18educator endorsement may receive a salary, benefits, and any
19other terms of employment offered to teachers in the school who
20are members of an exclusive bargaining representative, if any,
21but a school is not required to provide these benefits during
22the years of residency if the candidate is serving only as a
23co-teacher. If the candidate is serving as the teacher of
24record, the candidate must receive a salary, benefits, and any
25other terms of employment. Residency experiences must not be
26counted towards tenure.

 

 

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1    (d) The recognized institution offering the Alternative
2Educator Licensure Program for Teachers must partner with a
3school district, including without limitation a charter
4school, or a State-recognized, nonpublic school in this State
5in which the chief administrator is required to have the
6licensure necessary to be a principal in a public school in
7this State and in which a majority of the teachers are required
8to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a public
9school in this State. The program presented for approval by the
10State Board of Education must demonstrate the supports that are
11to be provided to assist the provisional teacher during the
122-year residency period. These supports must provide
13additional contact hours with mentors during the first year of
14residency or during the one year of residency, as applicable.
15    (e) Upon completion of the 3 or 4 phases, as applicable,
16outlined in subsection (b) of this Section and all assessments
17required under Section 21B-30 of this Code, an individual shall
18receive a Professional Educator License.
19    (f) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
20State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
21rules as may be necessary to establish and implement the
22Alternative Educator Licensure Program for Teachers.
23(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 
24    (105 ILCS 5/21B-55)
25    Sec. 21B-55. Alternative route to superintendent

 

 

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1endorsement.
2    (a) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
3State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may approve
4programs designed to provide an alternative route to
5superintendent endorsement on a Professional Educator License.
6    (b) Entities offering an alternative route to
7superintendent endorsement program must have the program
8approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with
9the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
10    (c) All programs approved under this Section shall be
11comprised of the following 3 phases:
12        (1) A course of study offered on an intensive basis in
13    education management, governance, organization, and
14    instructional and district planning.
15        (2) The person's assignment to a full-time position for
16    one school year as a superintendent.
17        (3) A comprehensive assessment of the person's
18    performance by school officials and a recommendation to the
19    State Board Superintendent of Education that the person be
20    issued a superintendent endorsement on a Professional
21    Educator License.
22    (d) In order to be admitted to an alternative route to
23superintendent endorsement program, a candidate shall pass a
24test of basic skills, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
25Code. In order to serve as a superintendent under phase (2) of
26subsection (c) of this Section, an individual must be issued an

 

 

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1alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on an
2Educator License with Stipulations, to be valid for only one
3year of serving as a superintendent. In order to receive the
4provisional alternative superintendent endorsement under this
5Section, an individual must meet all of the following
6requirements:
7        (1) Have graduated from a regionally accredited
8    college or university with a minimum of a master's degree
9    in a management field other than education.
10        (2) Have been employed for a period of at least 5 years
11    in a management level position other than education.
12        (3) Have successfully completed phase (1) of
13    subsection (c) of this Section.
14        (4) Have passed examinations required by Section
15    21B-30 of this Code.
16    (e) Successful completion of an alternative route to
17superintendent endorsement program shall be deemed to satisfy
18any other supervisory, administrative, or management
19experience requirements established by law, and, once
20completed, an individual shall be eligible for a superintendent
21endorsement on a Professional Educator License.
22    (f) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
23State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
24rules as may be needed to establish and implement these
25alternative route to superintendent endorsement programs.
26(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
 

 

 

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1    (105 ILCS 5/21B-105)
2    Sec. 21B-105. Granting of recognition; regional
3accreditation; definitions.
4    (a) "Recognized", as used in this Article in connection
5with the word "school" or "institution", means such college,
6university, or not-for-profit entity that meets requirements
7set by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
8State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. Application
9for recognition of the school or institution as an educator
10preparation institution must be made to the State Board of
11Education. The State Board of Education, in consultation with
12the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall set
13the criteria by which the school or institution is to be judged
14and, through the secretary of the State Board, arrange for an
15official inspection and shall grant recognition of such school
16or institution as may meet the required standards. If the
17standards include requirements with regard to education in
18acquiring skills in working with culturally distinctive
19students, as defined by the State Board of Education, then the
20rules of the State Board of Education shall include the
21criteria used to evaluate compliance with this requirement. No
22school or institution may make assignments of student teachers
23or teachers for practice teaching so as to promote segregation
24on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, or national
25origin.

 

 

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1    Any not-for-profit entity must also be approved by the
2Board of Higher Education.
3    All recommendations or entitlements for educator licensure
4shall be made by a recognized institution operating a program
5of preparation for the license that is approved by the State
6Board Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the
7State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. The State Board
8of Education, in consultation with the State Educator
9Preparation and Licensure Board, shall have the power to define
10a major or minor when used as a basis for recognition and
11licensure purposes.
12    (b) "Regionally accredited", or "accredited", as used in
13this Article in connection with a university or institution,
14means an institution of higher education accredited by the
15North Central Association or other comparable regional
16accrediting association.
17(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)
 
18    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,
192018.