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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
52-3.11d, 14-9.01, 21B-20, 21B-30, 21B-35, 21B-50, and 21B-55 as
6follows:
 
7    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.11d)
8    Sec. 2-3.11d. Data on tests required for teacher
9preparation and certification. Beginning with the effective
10date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, to
11collect and maintain all of the following data for each
12institution of higher education engaged in teacher preparation
13in this State:
14        (1) After July 1, 2025, the The number of individuals
15    taking the test of basic skills under Section 21B-30 21-1a
16    of this Code.
17        (2) After July 1, 2025, the The number of individuals
18    passing the test of basic skills under Section 21B-30 21-1a
19    of this Code.
20        (3) The total number of content area subject-matter
21    tests attempted under Section 21B-30 21-1a of this Code.
22        (4) The total number of content area subject-matter
23    tests passed under Section 21B-30 21-1a of this Code.

 

 

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1The data regarding content area subject-matter tests shall be
2reported in sum, rather than by separately listing each
3subject, in order to better protect the identity of the
4test-takers.
5    On or before August 1, 2007, the State Board of Education
6shall file with the General Assembly and the Governor and shall
7make available to the public a report listing the institutions
8of higher education engaged in teacher preparation in this
9State, along with the data listed in items (1) and (2) of this
10Section pertinent to each institution.
11    On or before October 1, 2012 and every 3 years thereafter,
12the State Board of Education shall file with the General
13Assembly and the Governor and shall make available to the
14public a report listing the institutions of higher education
15engaged in teacher preparation in this State, along with the
16data listed in items (1) through (4) of this Section pertinent
17to each institution.
18(Source: P.A. 96-1423, eff. 8-3-10.)
 
19    (105 ILCS 5/14-9.01)  (from Ch. 122, par. 14-9.01)
20    Sec. 14-9.01. Qualifications of teachers, other
21professional personnel and necessary workers. No person shall
22be employed to teach any class or program authorized by this
23Article who does not hold a valid teacher's license as provided
24by law and unless he has had such special training as the State
25Board of Education may require. No special license or

 

 

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1endorsement to a special license issued under Article 21B
2Section 21B-30 of this Code shall be valid for teaching
3students with visual disabilities unless the person to whom the
4license or endorsement is issued has attained satisfactory
5performance on an examination that is designed to assess
6competency in Braille reading and writing skills according to
7standards that the State Board of Education may adopt. Evidence
8of successfully completing the examination of Braille reading
9and writing skills must be submitted to the State Board of
10Education prior to an applicant's taking of the content area
11test required under Section 21B-30 of this Code. In addition to
12other requirements, a candidate for a teaching license in the
13area of the deaf and hard of hearing granted by the Illinois
14State Board of Education for teaching deaf and hard of hearing
15students in grades pre-school through grade 12 must demonstrate
16a minimum proficiency in sign language as determined by the
17Illinois State Board of Education. All other professional
18personnel employed in any class, service, or program authorized
19by this Article shall hold such licenses and shall have had
20such special training as the State Board of Education may
21require; provided that in a school district organized under
22Article 34, the school district may employ speech and language
23pathologists who are licensed under the Illinois
24Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act but who do
25not hold a license issued under this Code if the district
26certifies that a chronic shortage of certified personnel

 

 

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1exists. Nothing contained in this Act prohibits the school
2board from employing necessary workers to assist the teacher
3with the special educational facilities, except that all such
4necessary workers must have had such training as the State
5Board of Education may require.
6    No later than January 1, 1993, the State Board of Education
7shall develop, in consultation with the Advisory Council on the
8Education of Children with Disabilities and the Advisory
9Council on Bilingual Education, rules governing the
10qualifications for certification of teachers and school
11service personnel providing services to English learners
12receiving special education and related services.
13    The employment of any teacher in a special education
14program provided for in Sections 14-1.01 to 14-14.01,
15inclusive, shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 24-11
16to 24-16, inclusive. Any teacher employed in a special
17education program, prior to the effective date of this
18amendatory Act of 1987, in which 2 or more districts
19participate shall enter upon contractual continued service in
20each of the participating districts subject to the provisions
21of Sections 24-11 to 24-16, inclusive.
22(Source: P.A. 99-30, eff. 7-10-15.)
 
23    (105 ILCS 5/21B-20)
24    Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. The State Board of
25Education shall implement a system of educator licensure,

 

 

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1whereby individuals employed in school districts who are
2required to be licensed must have one of the following
3licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii) an educator
4license with stipulations; (iii) a substitute teaching
5license; or (iv) until June 30, 2023, a short-term substitute
6teaching license. References in law regarding individuals
7certified or certificated or required to be certified or
8certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall also include
9individuals licensed or required to be licensed under this
10Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June 30
11following one full year of the license being issued.
12    The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
13State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
14rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for
15licenses and endorsements under this Section.
16        (1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i)
17    have successfully completed an approved educator
18    preparation program and are recommended for licensure by
19    the Illinois institution offering the educator preparation
20    program, (ii) have successfully completed the required
21    testing under Section 21B-30 of this Code, (iii) have
22    successfully completed coursework on the psychology of,
23    the identification of, and the methods of instruction for
24    the exceptional child, including without limitation
25    children with learning disabilities, (iv) have
26    successfully completed coursework in methods of reading

 

 

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1    and reading in the content area, and (v) have met all other
2    criteria established by rule of the State Board of
3    Education shall be issued a Professional Educator License.
4    All Professional Educator Licenses are valid until June 30
5    immediately following 5 years of the license being issued.
6    The Professional Educator License shall be endorsed with
7    specific areas and grade levels in which the individual is
8    eligible to practice.
9        Individuals can receive subsequent endorsements on the
10    Professional Educator License. Subsequent endorsements
11    shall require a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework
12    in the endorsement area and passage of the applicable
13    content area test, unless otherwise specified by rule.
14        (2) Educator License with Stipulations. An Educator
15    License with Stipulations shall be issued an endorsement
16    that limits the license holder to one particular position
17    or does not require completion of an approved educator
18    program or both.
19        An individual with an Educator License with
20    Stipulations must not be employed by a school district or
21    any other entity to replace any presently employed teacher
22    who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.
23        An Educator License with Stipulations may be issued
24    with the following endorsements:
25            (A) (Blank). A A provisional educator endorsement
26        for a service member or a spouse of a service member is

 

 

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1        valid until June 30 immediately following 3 years of
2        the license being issued, provided that any remaining
3        testing and coursework deficiencies are met under this
4        Section. In this Section, "spouse of a service member"
5        means any person who, at the time of application under
6        this Section, is the spouse of an active duty member of
7        the United States Armed Forces or any reserve component
8        of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard
9        of any state, commonwealth, or territory of the United
10        States or the District of Columbia.
11            Except as otherwise provided under this
12        subparagraph, a
13            (B) Alternative provisional educator. An
14        alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
15        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
16        applicant who, at the time of applying for the
17        endorsement, has done all of the following:
18                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
19            college or university with a minimum of a
20            bachelor's degree.
21                (ii) Successfully completed the first phase of
22            the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
23            Teachers, as described in Section 21B-50 of this
24            Code.
25                (iii) Passed a test of basic skills and content
26            area test and, on and after July 1, 2025, a test of

 

 

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1            basic skills, as required under Section 21B-30 of
2            this Code.
3        The alternative provisional educator endorsement is
4    valid for 2 years of teaching and may be renewed for a
5    third year by an individual meeting the requirements set
6    forth in Section 21B-50 of this Code.
7            (C) Alternative provisional superintendent. An
8        alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on
9        an Educator License with Stipulations entitles the
10        holder to serve only as a superintendent or assistant
11        superintendent in a school district's central office.
12        This endorsement may only be issued to an applicant
13        who, at the time of applying for the endorsement, has
14        done all of the following:
15                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
16            college or university with a minimum of a master's
17            degree in a management field other than education.
18                (ii) Been employed for a period of at least 5
19            years in a management level position in a field
20            other than education.
21                (iii) Successfully completed the first phase
22            of an alternative route to superintendent
23            endorsement program, as provided in Section 21B-55
24            of this Code.
25                (iv) Passed a test of basic skills and content
26            area test and, on and after July 1, 2025, a test of

 

 

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1            basic skills, as tests required under Section
2            21B-30 of this Code.
3            The endorsement is valid for 2 fiscal years in
4        order to complete one full year of serving as a
5        superintendent or assistant superintendent.
6            (D) (Blank).
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 or, on and after
24        July 1, 2025, a test of basic skills, as required under
25        Section 21B-30 of this Code.
26            An individual who holds a valid career and

 

 

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

 

 

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1        career and technical educator endorsement on an
2        Educator License with Stipulations on or after January
3        1, 2015, the license may be renewed if the individual
4        passes a test of basic skills or test of work
5        proficiency or, on and after July 1, 2025, a test of
6        basic skills, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
7        Code.
8            A part-time provisional career and technical
9        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
10        Stipulations may be issued for teaching no more than 2
11        courses of study for grades 6 through 12. The part-time
12        provisional career and technical educator endorsement
13        on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
14        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
15        endorsement being issued and may be renewed for 5 years
16        if the individual makes application for renewal.
17            An individual who holds a provisional or part-time
18        provisional career and technical educator endorsement
19        on an Educator License with Stipulations but does not
20        hold a bachelor's degree may substitute teach in career
21        and technical education classrooms.
22            (G) Transitional bilingual educator. A
23        transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an
24        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for
25        the purpose of providing instruction in accordance
26        with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who

 

 

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

 

 

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1        replaced for any reason.
2            (H) Language endorsement. In an effort to
3        alleviate the shortage of teachers speaking a language
4        other than English in the public schools, an individual
5        who holds an Educator License with Stipulations may
6        also apply for a language endorsement, provided that
7        the applicant provides satisfactory evidence that he
8        or she meets all of the following requirements:
9                (i) Holds a transitional bilingual
10            endorsement.
11                (ii) Has demonstrated proficiency in the
12            language for which the endorsement is to be issued
13            by passing the applicable language content test
14            required by the State Board of Education.
15                (iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from
16            a regionally accredited institution of higher
17            education or, for individuals educated in a
18            country other than the United States, holds a
19            degree from an institution of higher learning in a
20            foreign country that the State Educator
21            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
22            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
23            regionally accredited institution of higher
24            learning in the United States.
25                (iv) On and after July 1, 2025, has Has passed
26            a test of basic skills, as required under Section

 

 

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1            21B-30 of this Code.
2            A language endorsement on an Educator License with
3        Stipulations is valid for prekindergarten through
4        grade 12 for the same validity period as the
5        individual's transitional bilingual educator
6        endorsement on the Educator License with Stipulations
7        and shall not be renewed.
8            (I) Visiting international educator. A visiting
9        international educator endorsement on an Educator
10        License with Stipulations may be issued to an
11        individual who is being recruited by a particular
12        school district that conducts formal recruitment
13        programs outside of the United States to secure the
14        services of qualified teachers and who meets all of the
15        following requirements:
16                (i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
17            bachelor's degree issued in the United States.
18                (ii) Has been prepared as a teacher at the
19            grade level for which he or she will be employed.
20                (iii) Has adequate content knowledge in the
21            subject to be taught.
22                (iv) Has an adequate command of the English
23            language.
24            A holder of a visiting international educator
25        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
26        shall be permitted to teach in bilingual education

 

 

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1        programs in the language that was the medium of
2        instruction in his or her teacher preparation program,
3        provided that he or she passes the English Language
4        Proficiency Examination or another test of writing
5        skills in English identified by the State Board of
6        Education, in consultation with the State Educator
7        Preparation and Licensure Board.
8            A visiting international educator endorsement on
9        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 3
10        years and shall not be renewed.
11            (J) Paraprofessional educator. A paraprofessional
12        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
13        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a
14        high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and
15        either holds an associate's degree or a minimum of 60
16        semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited
17        institution of higher education or, on and after July
18        1, 2025, has passed a test of basic skills required
19        under Section 21B-30 of this Code. The
20        paraprofessional educator endorsement is valid until
21        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
22        endorsement being issued and may be renewed through
23        application and payment of the appropriate fee, as
24        required under Section 21B-40 of this Code. An
25        individual who holds only a paraprofessional educator
26        endorsement is not subject to additional requirements

 

 

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1        in order to renew the endorsement.
2            (K) Chief school business official. A chief school
3        business official endorsement on an Educator License
4        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
5        qualifies by having a master's degree or higher, 2
6        years of full-time administrative experience in school
7        business management or 2 years of university-approved
8        practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester
9        hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the
10        State Board of Education for the preparation of school
11        business administrators and by passage of the
12        applicable State tests, including an a test of basic
13        skills and applicable content area test and, on and
14        after July 1, 2025, a test of basic skills.
15            The chief school business official endorsement may
16        also be affixed to the Educator License with
17        Stipulations of any holder who qualifies by having a
18        master's degree in business administration, finance,
19        accounting, or public administration and who completes
20        an additional 6 semester hours of internship in school
21        business management from a regionally accredited
22        institution of higher education and passes the
23        applicable State tests, including an a test of basic
24        skills and applicable content area test and, on and
25        after July 1, 2025, a test of basic skills. This
26        endorsement shall be required for any individual

 

 

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

 

 

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1            1, 2025, a test of basic skills, as required by
2            Section 21B-30 of this Code.
3                (iv) Has attempted an evidence-based
4            assessment of teacher effectiveness and received a
5            minimum score on that assessment, as established
6            by the State Board of Education in consultation
7            with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
8            Board.
9            A provisional in-state educator endorsement on an
10        Educator License with Stipulations is valid for one
11        full fiscal year after the date of issuance and may not
12        be renewed.
13            (M) School support personnel intern. A school
14        support personnel intern endorsement on an Educator
15        License with Stipulations may be issued as specified by
16        rule.
17            (N) Special education area. A special education
18        area endorsement on an Educator License with
19        Stipulations may be issued as defined and specified by
20        rule.
21        (3) Substitute Teaching License. A Substitute Teaching
22    License may be issued to qualified applicants for
23    substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools,
24    prekindergarten through grade 12. Substitute Teaching
25    Licenses are not eligible for endorsements. Applicants for
26    a Substitute Teaching License must hold a bachelor's degree

 

 

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1    or higher from a regionally accredited institution of
2    higher education.
3        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years.
4        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute
5    teaching in every county of this State. If an individual
6    has had his or her Professional Educator License or
7    Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked,
8    then that individual is not eligible to obtain a Substitute
9    Teaching License.
10        A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a
11    licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing
12    board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under
13    contract because of an emergency situation, then a district
14    may employ a substitute teacher for no longer than 30
15    calendar days per each vacant position in the district if
16    the district notifies the appropriate regional office of
17    education within 5 business days after the employment of
18    the substitute teacher in the emergency situation. An
19    emergency situation is one in which an unforeseen vacancy
20    has occurred and (i) a teacher is unable to fulfill his or
21    her contractual duties or (ii) teacher capacity needs of
22    the district exceed previous indications, and the district
23    is actively engaged in advertising to hire a fully licensed
24    teacher for the vacant 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        A school district may not require an individual who
12    holds a valid Professional Educator License or Educator
13    License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute
14    Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher.
15        (4) Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Beginning
16    on July 1, 2018 and until June 30, 2023, the State Board of
17    Education may issue a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
18    License. A Short-Term Substitute Teaching License may be
19    issued to a qualified applicant for substitute teaching in
20    all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through
21    grade 12. Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are not
22    eligible for endorsements. Applicants for a Short-Term
23    Substitute Teaching License must hold an associate's
24    degree or have completed at least 60 credit hours from a
25    regionally accredited institution of higher education.
26        Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for

 

 

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1    substitute teaching in every county of this State. If an
2    individual has had his or her Professional Educator License
3    or Educator License with Stipulations suspended or
4    revoked, then that individual is not eligible to obtain a
5    Short-Term Substitute Teaching License.
6        The provisions of Sections 10-21.9 and 34-18.5 of this
7    Code apply to short-term substitute teachers.
8        An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
9    License may teach no more than 5 consecutive days per
10    licensed teacher who is under contract. For teacher
11    absences lasting 6 or more days per licensed teacher who is
12    under contract, a school district may not hire an
13    individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
14    License. An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute
15    Teaching License must complete the training program under
16    Section 10-20.67 or 34-18.60 of this Code to be eligible to
17    teach at a public school. This paragraph (4) is inoperative
18    on and after July 1, 2023.
19(Source: P.A. 99-35, eff. 1-1-16; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-143,
20eff. 7-27-15; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-8,
21eff. 7-1-17; 100-13, eff. 7-1-17; 100-288, eff. 8-24-17;
22100-596, eff. 7-1-18; 100-821, eff. 9-3-18; 100-863, eff.
238-14-18; revised 10-1-18.)
 
24    (105 ILCS 5/21B-30)
25    Sec. 21B-30. Educator testing.

 

 

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1    (a) This Section applies beginning on July 1, 2012.
2    (b) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
3State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall design
4and implement a system of examinations, which shall be required
5prior to the issuance of educator licenses. These examinations
6and indicators must be based on national and State professional
7teaching standards, as determined by the State Board of
8Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
9and Licensure Board. The State Board of Education may adopt
10such rules as may be necessary to implement and administer this
11Section.
12    (c) On and after July 1, 2025, except Except as otherwise
13provided in this Article, applicants seeking a Professional
14Educator License or an Educator License with Stipulations shall
15be required to pass a test of basic skills before the license
16is issued, unless the endorsement the individual is seeking
17does not require passage of the test. All applicants completing
18Illinois-approved, teacher education or school service
19personnel preparation programs shall be required to pass the
20State Board of Education's recognized test of basic skills
21prior to starting their student teaching or starting the final
22semester of their internship. An institution of higher
23learning, as defined in the Higher Education Student Assistance
24Act, may not require an applicant to complete the State Board's
25recognized test of basic skills prior to the semester before
26student teaching or prior to the semester before starting the

 

 

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1final semester of an internship. An individual who passes a
2test of basic skills does not need to do so again for
3subsequent endorsements or other educator licenses.
4    (d) All applicants seeking a State license shall be
5required to pass a test of content area knowledge for each area
6of endorsement for which there is an applicable test. There
7shall be no exception to this requirement. No candidate shall
8be allowed to student teach or serve as the teacher of record
9until he or she has passed the applicable content area test.
10    (e) (Blank).
11    (f) Except as otherwise provided in this Article, beginning
12on September 1, 2015, all candidates completing teacher
13preparation programs in this State and all candidates subject
14to Section 21B-35 of this Code are required to pass a teacher
15performance assessment approved by the State Board of
16Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
17and Licensure Board.
18    (g) Tests of basic skills and content area knowledge and
19the teacher performance assessment shall be the tests that from
20time to time are designated by the State Board of Education, in
21consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
22Board, and may be tests prepared by an educational testing
23organization or tests designed by the State Board of Education,
24in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and
25Licensure Board. The areas to be covered by a test of basic
26skills shall include reading, language arts, and mathematics.

 

 

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1The test of content area knowledge shall assess content
2knowledge in a specific subject field. The tests must be
3designed to be racially neutral to ensure that no person taking
4the tests is discriminated against on the basis of race, color,
5national origin, or other factors unrelated to the person's
6ability to perform as a licensed employee. The score required
7to pass the tests shall be fixed by the State Board of
8Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
9and Licensure Board. On or before July 1, 2025, the State Board
10must reevaluate the method it uses to score a content area
11knowledge test and may adopt rules to make any changes to those
12methods. The tests shall be administered not fewer than 3 times
13a year at such time and place as may be designated by the State
14Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator
15Preparation and Licensure Board.
16    The State Board shall implement a test or tests to assess
17the speaking, reading, writing, and grammar skills of
18applicants for an endorsement or a license issued under
19subdivision (G) of paragraph (2) of Section 21B-20 of this Code
20in the English language and in the language of the transitional
21bilingual education program requested by the applicant.
22    (h) Except as provided in Section 34-6 of this Code, the
23provisions of this Section shall apply equally in any school
24district subject to Article 34 of this Code.
25    (i) The rules developed to implement and enforce the
26testing requirements under this Section shall include without

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 25 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1limitation provisions governing test selection, test
2validation and determination of a passing score,
3administration of the tests, frequency of administration,
4applicant fees, frequency of applicants taking the tests, the
5years for which a score is valid, and appropriate special
6accommodations. The State Board of Education shall develop such
7rules as may be needed to ensure uniformity from year to year
8in the level of difficulty for each form of an assessment.
9(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-657, eff. 7-28-16;
1099-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-596, eff. 7-1-18; 100-863, eff.
118-14-18; 100-932, eff. 8-17-18; revised 10-1-18.)
 
12    (105 ILCS 5/21B-35)
13    Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in
14other states or countries.
15    (a) Any applicant who has not been entitled by an
16Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
17institution of higher education applying for a Professional
18Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school support
19personnel area must meet the following requirements:
20        (1) the applicant must:
21            (A) hold a comparable and valid educator license or
22        certificate, as defined by rule, with similar grade
23        level and content area credentials from another state,
24        with the State Board of Education having the authority
25        to determine what constitutes similar grade level and

 

 

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1        content area credentials from another state; and
2            (B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally
3        accredited institution of higher education; or
4        (2) the applicant must:
5            (A) have completed a state-approved program for
6        the licensure area sought, including coursework
7        concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
8        child, methods of reading and reading in the content
9        area, and instructional strategies for English
10        learners;
11            (B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally
12        accredited institution of higher education;
13            (C) have successfully met all Illinois examination
14        requirements, except that:
15                (i) on and after July 1, 2025, an applicant who
16            has successfully completed a test of basic skills,
17            as defined by rules, at the time of initial
18            licensure in another state is not required to
19            complete a test of basic skills;
20                (ii) an applicant who has successfully
21            completed a test of content, as defined by rules,
22            at the time of initial licensure in another state
23            is not required to complete a test of content; and
24                (iii) an applicant for a teaching endorsement
25            who has successfully completed an evidence-based
26            assessment of teacher effectiveness, as defined by

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 27 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1            rules, at the time of initial licensure in another
2            state is not required to complete an
3            evidence-based assessment of teacher
4            effectiveness; and
5            (D) for an applicant for a teaching endorsement,
6        have completed student teaching or an equivalent
7        experience or, for an applicant for a school service
8        personnel endorsement, have completed an internship or
9        an equivalent experience.
10    (b) In order to receive a Professional Educator License
11endorsed in a teaching field or school support personnel area,
12applicants trained in another country must meet all of the
13following requirements:
14        (1) Have completed a comparable education program in
15    another country.
16        (2) Have had transcripts evaluated by an evaluation
17    service approved by the State Superintendent of Education.
18        (3) Have a degree comparable to a degree from a
19    regionally accredited institution of higher education.
20        (4) Have completed coursework 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        (5) (Blank).
25        (6) (Blank).
26        (7) Have successfully met all State licensure

 

 

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1    examination requirements. On and after July 1, 2025,
2    applicants Applicants who have successfully completed a
3    test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
4    initial licensure in another country shall not be required
5    to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who have
6    successfully completed a test of content, as defined by
7    rules, at the time of initial licensure in another country
8    shall not be required to complete a test of content.
9    Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have
10    successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of
11    teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of
12    initial licensure in another country shall not be required
13    to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher
14    effectiveness.
15        (8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent
16    experience.
17    (b-5) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
18Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
19institution of higher education and applicants trained in
20another country applying for a Professional Educator License
21endorsed for principal or superintendent must hold a master's
22degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher
23education and must hold a comparable and valid educator license
24or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter
25credentials, with the State Board of Education having the
26authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 29 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1subject matter credentials from another state, or must meet all
2of the following requirements:
3        (1) Have completed an educator preparation program
4    approved by another state or comparable educator program in
5    another country leading to the receipt of a license or
6    certificate for the Illinois endorsement sought.
7        (2) Have successfully met all State licensure
8    examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of
9    this Code. On and after July 1, 2025, applicants Applicants
10    who have successfully completed a test of basic skills, as
11    defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in
12    another state or country shall not be required to complete
13    a test of basic skills. Applicants who have successfully
14    completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the
15    time of initial licensure in another state or country shall
16    not be required to complete a test of content.
17        (2.5) Have completed an internship, as defined by rule.
18        (3) (Blank).
19        (4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
20    concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
21    child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
22    and instructional strategies for English learners.
23        (5) Have completed a master's degree.
24        (6) Have successfully completed teaching, school
25    support, or administrative experience as defined by rule.
26    (b-7) All applicants who have not been entitled by an

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 30 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
2institution of higher education applying for a Professional
3Educator License endorsed for Director of Special Education
4must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited
5institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and
6valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level
7and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of
8Education having the authority to determine what constitutes
9similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another
10state, or must meet all of the following requirements:
11        (1) Have completed a master's degree.
12        (2) Have 2 years of full-time experience providing
13    special education services.
14        (3) Have successfully completed all 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 coursework 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    (b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
25Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
26institution of higher education applying for a Professional

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 31 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1Educator License endorsed for chief school business official
2must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited
3institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and
4valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level
5and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of
6Education having the authority to determine what constitutes
7similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another
8state, or must meet all of the following requirements:
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    (c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
25State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
26rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 32 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-13,
2eff. 7-1-17; 100-584, eff. 4-6-18; 100-596, eff. 7-1-18.)
 
3    (105 ILCS 5/21B-50)
4    Sec. 21B-50. Alternative educator licensure program.
5    (a) There is established an alternative educator licensure
6program, to be known as the Alternative Educator Licensure
7Program for Teachers.
8    (b) The Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
9Teachers may be offered by a recognized institution approved to
10offer educator preparation programs by the State Board of
11Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
12and Licensure Board.
13    The program shall be comprised of 4 phases:
14        (1) A course of study that at a minimum includes
15    instructional planning; instructional strategies,
16    including special education, reading, and English language
17    learning; classroom management; and the assessment of
18    students and use of data to drive instruction.
19        (2) A year of residency, which is a candidate's
20    assignment to a full-time teaching position or as a
21    co-teacher for one full school year. An individual must
22    hold an Educator License with Stipulations with an
23    alternative provisional educator endorsement in order to
24    enter the residency and must complete additional program
25    requirements that address required State and national

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 33 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1    standards, pass the assessment of professional teaching
2    before entering the second residency year, as required
3    under phase (3) of this subsection (b), and be recommended
4    by the principal or qualified equivalent of a principal, as
5    required under subsection (d) of this Section, and the
6    program coordinator to continue with the second year of the
7    residency.
8        (3) A second year of residency, which shall include the
9    candidate's assignment to a full-time teaching position
10    for one school year. The candidate must be assigned an
11    experienced teacher to act as a mentor and coach the
12    candidate through the second year of residency.
13        (4) A comprehensive assessment of the candidate's
14    teaching effectiveness, as evaluated by the principal or
15    qualified equivalent of a principal, as required under
16    subsection (d) of this Section, and the program
17    coordinator, at the end of the second year of residency. If
18    there is disagreement between the 2 evaluators about the
19    candidate's teaching effectiveness, the candidate may
20    complete one additional year of residency teaching under a
21    professional development plan developed by the principal
22    or qualified equivalent and the preparation program. At the
23    completion of the third year, a candidate must have
24    positive evaluations and a recommendation for full
25    licensure from both the principal or qualified equivalent
26    and the program coordinator or no Professional Educator

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 34 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1    License shall be issued.
2    Successful completion of the program shall be deemed to
3satisfy any other practice or student teaching and content
4matter requirements established by law.
5    (c) An alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
6Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 2 years of
7teaching in the public schools, including without limitation a
8preschool educational program under Section 2-3.71 of this Code
9or charter school, or in a State-recognized nonpublic school in
10which the chief administrator is required to have the licensure
11necessary to be a principal in a public school in this State
12and in which a majority of the teachers are required to have
13the licensure necessary to be instructors in a public school in
14this State, but may be renewed for a third year if needed to
15complete the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
16Teachers. The endorsement shall be issued only once to an
17individual who meets all of the following requirements:
18        (1) Has graduated from a regionally accredited college
19    or university with a bachelor's degree or higher.
20        (2) Has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or
21    greater on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent on another scale.
22        (3) Has completed a major in the content area if
23    seeking a middle or secondary level endorsement or, if
24    seeking an early childhood, elementary, or special
25    education endorsement, has completed a major in the content
26    area of reading, English/language arts, mathematics, or

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 35 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1    one of the sciences. If the individual does not have a
2    major in a content area for any level of teaching, he or
3    she must submit transcripts to the State Board of Education
4    to be reviewed for equivalency.
5        (4) Has successfully completed phase (1) of subsection
6    (b) of this Section.
7        (5) Has passed a test of basic skills and content area
8    test required for the specific endorsement and, on and
9    after July 1, 2025, a test of basic skills for admission
10    into the program, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
11    Code.
12    A candidate possessing the alternative provisional
13educator endorsement may receive a salary, benefits, and any
14other terms of employment offered to teachers in the school who
15are members of an exclusive bargaining representative, if any,
16but a school is not required to provide these benefits during
17the years of residency if the candidate is serving only as a
18co-teacher. If the candidate is serving as the teacher of
19record, the candidate must receive a salary, benefits, and any
20other terms of employment. Residency experiences must not be
21counted towards tenure.
22    (d) The recognized institution offering the Alternative
23Educator Licensure Program for Teachers must partner with a
24school district, including without limitation a preschool
25educational program under Section 2-3.71 of this Code or
26charter school, or a State-recognized, nonpublic school in this

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 36 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1State in which the chief administrator is required to have the
2licensure necessary to be a principal in a public school in
3this State and in which a majority of the teachers are required
4to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a public
5school in this State. A recognized institution that partners
6with a public school district administering a preschool
7educational program under Section 2-3.71 of this Code must
8require a principal to recommend or evaluate candidates in the
9program. A recognized institution that partners with an
10eligible entity administering a preschool educational program
11under Section 2-3.71 of this Code and that is not a public
12school district must require a principal or qualified
13equivalent of a principal to recommend or evaluate candidates
14in the program. The program presented for approval by the State
15Board of Education must demonstrate the supports that are to be
16provided to assist the provisional teacher during the 2-year
17residency period. These supports must provide additional
18contact hours with mentors during the first year of residency.
19    (e) Upon completion of the 4 phases outlined in subsection
20(b) of this Section and all assessments required under Section
2121B-30 of this Code, an individual shall receive a Professional
22Educator License.
23    (f) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
24State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
25rules as may be necessary to establish and implement the
26Alternative Educator Licensure Program for Teachers.

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 37 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 100-596, eff. 7-1-18;
2100-822, eff. 1-1-19.)
 
3    (105 ILCS 5/21B-55)
4    Sec. 21B-55. Alternative route to superintendent
5endorsement.
6    (a) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
7State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may approve
8programs designed to provide an alternative route to
9superintendent endorsement on a Professional Educator License.
10    (b) Entities offering an alternative route to
11superintendent endorsement program must have the program
12approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with
13the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
14    (c) All programs approved under this Section shall be
15comprised of the following 3 phases:
16        (1) A course of study offered on an intensive basis in
17    education management, governance, organization, and
18    instructional and district planning.
19        (2) The person's assignment to a full-time position for
20    one school year as a superintendent.
21        (3) A comprehensive assessment of the person's
22    performance by school officials and a recommendation to the
23    State Board of Education that the person be issued a
24    superintendent endorsement on a Professional Educator
25    License.

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 38 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1    (d) In order to serve as a superintendent under phase (2)
2of subsection (c) of this Section, an individual must be issued
3an alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on an
4Educator License with Stipulations, to be valid for only one
5year of serving as a superintendent. In order to receive the
6provisional alternative superintendent endorsement under this
7Section, an individual must meet all of the following
8requirements:
9        (1) Have graduated from a regionally accredited
10    college or university with a minimum of a master's degree
11    in a management field.
12        (2) Have been employed for a period of at least 5 years
13    in a management level position other than education.
14        (3) Have successfully completed phase (1) of
15    subsection (c) of this Section.
16        (4) Have passed a test of basic skills and a content
17    area test and, on and after July 1, 2025, a test of basic
18    skills for admission into the program, as required by
19    Section 21B-30 of this Code.
20    (e) Successful completion of an alternative route to
21superintendent endorsement program shall be deemed to satisfy
22any other supervisory, administrative, or management
23experience requirements established by law, and, once
24completed, an individual shall be eligible for a superintendent
25endorsement on a Professional Educator License.
26    (f) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the

 

 

HB0423 Engrossed- 39 -LRB101 03356 AXK 48364 b

1State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
2rules as may be needed to establish and implement these
3alternative route to superintendent endorsement programs.
4(Source: P.A. 100-596, eff. 7-1-18.)
 
5    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
6becoming law.