103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB2245

 

Introduced 2/10/2023, by Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act
105 ILCS 5/2-3.51  from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.51
105 ILCS 5/21B-20
105 ILCS 5/21B-30
105 ILCS 5/21B-35

    Creates the Literary and Justice for All Act. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt and make available to school districts a rubric by which districts may evaluate curricula and select and implement evidence-based, culturally inclusive core reading instruction programs, a template to develop literacy plans, and guidance on evidence-based practices. Requires the State Board to develop training opportunities in teaching reading and a comprehensive literacy plan for this State. Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program, the requirements to receive a Professional Educator License, taking a test in reading foundations for certain licensure, and the requirements for educators trained in other states or counties. Effective immediately.


LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2245LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Literacy and Justice for All Act.
 
6    Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly makes all of the
7following findings:
8        (1) Literacy is not only critical for individuals'
9    ability to earn income, secure housing, participate in
10    their healthcare, support their children's education,
11    pursue happiness, and navigate the world but also
12    collectively foundational to our community and democracy.
13        (2) The World Literacy Foundation found that low
14    literacy is a major contributor to inequality and
15    increases the likelihood of poor physical and mental
16    health, workplace accidents, misuse of medication,
17    participation in crime, and welfare dependency, all of
18    which have substantial additional social and economic
19    costs.
20        (3) Fifty percent of Illinois' third graders met,
21    exceeded, or approached learning standards in English
22    language arts according to the Illinois Assessment of
23    Readiness with the other half of students not meeting or

 

 

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1    partially meeting standards; this represents a 10
2    percentage-point swing from the 2019 pre-pandemic rates
3    when 60% of students met, exceeded, or approached learning
4    standards.
5        (4) Thirty-three percent of Illinois' fourth graders
6    achieved proficient or advanced reading scores on the 2022
7    National Assessment of Educational Progress with another
8    29% meeting basic reading proficiency and the remaining
9    38% scoring below basic reading proficiency.
10        (5) Research from the Annie E. Casey Institute found
11    that students who are not proficient readers in third
12    grade are 4 times more likely not to finish high school; if
13    those students are from low-income families, they are more
14    than 6 times more likely not to finish high school.
15        (6) Research consistently finds that a diverse,
16    well-trained, and expanding pool of teachers, in
17    conjunction with curricula responsive to the strengths and
18    needs of diverse student populations, improves educational
19    outcomes for all students.
20        (7) An appropriate curriculum blends the learning
21    needs of students with their developmental needs and
22    increases in complexity with every new stage of childhood.
23        (8) Oral language development is a prerequisite for
24    reading and writing that is nurtured from birth through
25    talking, reading, story-telling, singing, nursery rhymes,
26    and other language exposure and, as younger children

 

 

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1    develop, through intentional dialogue with rich
2    vocabulary; home visiting programs, access to books,
3    high-quality childcare and preschool, and lived
4    experiences strengthen students' opportunity to build
5    oracy skills, vocabulary, and background knowledge,
6    leading to higher-level cognitive thinking.
7        (9) Reading builds new neural pathways in the brain as
8    people, usually children, learn to connect the sounds in
9    language to letters on a page to the meaning of the text;
10    however, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to
11    literacy, as learners will require different dosages
12    within different areas of literacy instruction to meet
13    their individual needs.
14        (10) Reading and writing have a reciprocal
15    relationship, as each strengthens the other, and students
16    benefit when their instruction is closely intertwined.
17        (11) English learners benefit from a comprehensive
18    literacy approach that recognizes the value of
19    multilingualism by enveloping all areas of literacy
20    instruction with a deep focus on oral language development
21    and encouraging students to make connections between
22    English and their home language.
23        (12) Teachers deserve the tools to be knowledgeable
24    about the cultural practices and language system of the
25    children they serve, including those children who speak
26    language variations of English, such as African-American

 

 

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1    English (AAE); AAE has a linguistic structure that is a
2    systematic and rule-governed variation of General American
3    English.
4        (13) Research shows that direct, systematic,
5    cumulative, and explicit reading instruction that is
6    focused on the foundational reading skills of phonemic
7    awareness, phonics or decoding, spelling or encoding,
8    vocabulary development that includes morphology, oral
9    language development, reading fluency, and reading
10    comprehension that includes syntax and building background
11    or content knowledge, is highly effective in teaching
12    young children to read.
13        (14) High literacy achievement across all demographic
14    groups is an essential indicator of educational equity
15    within this State; strengthening early literacy
16    instruction and support for students in Illinois will pay
17    dividends in the future by empowering students, providing
18    the skills they will need to graduate, find fulfilling
19    careers, and be productive members of their communities
20    and of our democracy.
21        (15) Ensuring that every child has access to
22    high-quality, research-aligned, developmentally
23    appropriate reading instruction implemented using a
24    comprehensive approach is a foundational component of this
25    State's public education system and a responsibility
26    shared among federal, State, and local education agencies.
 

 

 

SB2245- 5 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    Section 10. State Board of Education assistance;
2comprehensive literacy plan.
3    (a) The State Board of Education shall adopt and make
4available all of the following to each publicly funded school
5district:
6        (1) A rubric by which districts may evaluate curricula
7    and select and implement evidence-based, culturally
8    inclusive core reading instruction programs. The rubric
9    shall address:
10            (A) systematic and explicit approaches to phonemic
11        awareness, decoding (phonics), and encoding(spelling);
12            (B) vocabulary development, including morphology,
13        and reading fluency;
14            (C) oral language development;
15            (D) reading comprehension, including syntax and
16        building background (content) knowledge; and
17            (E) cultural inclusivity.
18        (2) A template to support districts when developing
19    comprehensive, district-wide literacy plans that include
20    support for special student populations, including
21    multilingual, diverse, and gifted students.
22        (3) Guidance on evidence-based practices for effective
23    structures for training and deploying literacy coaches to
24    support teachers and close opportunity gaps among student
25    demographic groups.

 

 

SB2245- 6 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    (b) On or after September 1, 2024, the State Board of
2Education shall develop and make available evidence-based
3training opportunities in teaching reading. Such training
4shall focus on systematic and explicit instruction in the
5areas of phonemic awareness, decoding (phonics), encoding
6(spelling), vocabulary development, including morphology, oral
7language development, reading fluency, and reading
8comprehension, including syntax and building background
9(content) knowledge and include rigorous evaluations of
10learning throughout and at the end of the training. This
11support shall include:
12        (1) development of a microcredential or a series of
13    microcredentials in comprehensive, evidence-based
14    literacy instruction to be affixed to professional
15    educator licenses upon successful demonstration of the
16    skill, completion of the required coursework or
17    assessment, or both;
18        (2) creation and dissemination of a tool that school
19    districts, educators, and the public may use to evaluate
20    professional development and training programs related to
21    structured literacy instruction; and
22        (3) in partnership with one or more high-quality
23    providers of evidence-based professional development or
24    training in the content and principles of effective
25    language and literacy instruction, development of online
26    training modules on evidence-based literacy instruction

 

 

SB2245- 7 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    accepted for continuing professional development units.
2    (c) On or before October 1, 2023, in consultation with
3education stakeholders, the State Board Education shall
4develop and adopt a comprehensive literacy plan for this
5State, which shall be updated as needed. The State Board shall
6annually compile and post on its website information about
7progress on the comprehensive literacy plan.
 
8    Section 90. The School Code is amended by changing
9Sections 2-3.51, 21B-20, 21B-30, and 21B-35 as follows:
 
10    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.51)  (from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.51)
11    Sec. 2-3.51. Reading Improvement Block Grant Program. To
12improve the reading and study skills of children from
13kindergarten through sixth grade in school districts. The
14State Board of Education is authorized to administer a Reading
15Improvement Block Grant Program. As used in this Section:
16    "School district" includes those schools designated as
17"laboratory schools".
18    "Scientifically based reading research" means the
19application of rigorous, systematic, and objective procedures
20to obtain valid knowledge relevant to reading development,
21reading instruction, and reading difficulties. The term
22includes research that employs systematic, empirical methods
23that draw on observation or experiment, involves rigorous data
24analysis that is adequate to test the stated hypotheses and to

 

 

SB2245- 8 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1justify the general conclusions drawn, relies on measurements
2or observational methods that provide valid data across
3evaluators and observers and across multiple measurements and
4observations, and has been accepted by peer-reviewed journal
5or approved by a panel of independent experts through a
6comparably rigorous, objective and scientific review.
7    (a) Funds for the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program
8shall be distributed to school districts on the following
9basis: 70% of monies shall be awarded on the prior year's best
103 months average daily attendance and 30% shall be distributed
11on the number of economically disadvantaged (E.C.I.A. Chapter
12I) pupils in the district, provided that the State Board may
13distribute an amount not to exceed 2% of the monies
14appropriated for the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program
15for the purpose of providing teacher training and re-training
16in the teaching of reading. Program funds shall be distributed
17to school districts in 2 semi-annual installments, one payment
18on or before October 30, and one payment prior to April 30, of
19each year. The State Board shall promulgate rules and
20regulations necessary for the implementation of this program.
21    If the appropriation for the Reading Improvement Block
22Grant Program for a given fiscal year is less than
23$15,000,000, then the State Board shall limit eligibility to
24school districts that have been placed in Tier 1 or Tier 2
25pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (g) of Section 18-8.15
26of this Code and shall impose additional eligibility criteria

 

 

SB2245- 9 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1to limit the number of approved applicants to a cohort
2sufficient for each selected district to provide adequate
3training and ongoing coaching support to each teacher of
4students in kindergarten through grade 2 and special education
5teachers and evidence-based curriculum investments. Programs
6provided with grant funds shall not replace quality classroom
7reading instruction, but shall instead supplement such
8instruction.
9    (a-5) Reading Improvement Block Grant Program funds shall
10be used by school districts in the following manner:
11        (1) to hire reading specialists, reading teachers, and
12    reading aides in order to provide early reading
13    intervention in kindergarten through grade 2 and programs
14    of continued reading support for students in grades 3
15    through 6;
16        (2) in kindergarten through grade 2, to establish
17    short-term tutorial early reading intervention programs
18    for children who are at risk of failing to learn to read;
19    these programs shall (i) focus on scientifically based
20    research and best practices with proven long-term results,
21    (ii) identify students in need of help no later than the
22    middle of first grade, (iii) provide ongoing training for
23    teachers in the program, (iv) focus instruction on
24    strengthening a student's phonemic awareness, phonics,
25    fluency, and comprehension skills, (v) provide a means to
26    document and evaluate student growth, and (vi) provide

 

 

SB2245- 10 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    properly trained staff;
2        (3) to continue direct reading instruction for grades
3    3 through 6;
4        (4) in grades 3 through 6, to establish programs of
5    support for students who demonstrate a need for continued
6    assistance in learning to read and in maintaining reading
7    achievement; these programs shall (i) focus on
8    scientifically based research and best practices with
9    proven long-term results, (ii) provide ongoing training
10    for teachers and other staff members in the program, (iii)
11    focus instruction on strengthening a student's phonics,
12    fluency, and comprehension skills in grades 3 through 6,
13    (iv) provide a means to evaluate and document student
14    growth, and (v) provide properly trained staff;
15        (5) in grades K through 6, to provide both
16    evidence-based, high-quality core literacy curriculum
17    materials that consider the unique needs of English
18    learners for concurrent oral language practice and
19    high-quality screening assessments designed to inform
20    instruction in English language arts and literacy
21    classroom reading materials for students; each district
22    may allocate up to 25% of the funds for this purpose; and
23        (6) to provide a long-term professional development
24    program for classroom teachers, administrators, and other
25    appropriate staff; the program shall (i) focus on
26    scientifically based research and best practices with

 

 

SB2245- 11 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    proven long-term results, (ii) provide a means to evaluate
2    student progress in reading as a result of the training,
3    (iii) and be provided by approved staff development
4    providers.
5    If the appropriation for the Reading Improvement Block
6Grant Program for a given fiscal year is less than
7$15,000,000, then grant recipients shall prioritize
8evidence-based curricula and materials, training, and ongoing
9coaching support for kindergarten through grade 3 teachers and
10special education teachers.
11    (a-10) If the appropriation for the Reading Improvement
12Block Grant Program for a given fiscal year is at least
13$15,000,000, then Reading Improvement Block Grant Program
14funds shall be made available to each eligible school district
15submitting an approved application developed by the State
16Board beginning with the 1998-99 school year. Applications
17shall include a proposed assessment method or methods for
18measuring the reading growth of students who receive direct
19instruction as a result of the funding and the impact of staff
20development activities on student growth in reading. Such
21methods may include the reading portion of the assessments
22required under Section 2-3.64a-5 of this Code. At the end of
23each school year the district shall report performance of
24progress results to the State Board. Districts not
25demonstrating performance progress using an approved
26assessment method shall not be eligible for funding in the

 

 

SB2245- 12 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1third or subsequent years until such progress is established.
2    If the appropriation for the Reading Improvement Block
3Grant Program for a given fiscal year is less than
4$15,000,000, then the State Board may establish additional
5eligibility criteria and shall select a cohort of school
6districts that have been placed in Tier 1 or Tier 2 pursuant to
7paragraph (3) of subsection (g) of Section 18-8.15 of this
8Code to participate.
9    (a-15) The State Superintendent of Education, in
10cooperation with the school districts participating in the
11program, shall annually report to the leadership of the
12General Assembly on the results of the Reading Improvement
13Block Grant Program and the progress being made on improving
14the reading skills of students in kindergarten through the
15sixth grade.
16    (b) (Blank).
17    (c) (Blank).
18    (d) Grants under the Reading Improvement Block Grant
19Program shall be awarded provided there is an appropriation
20for the program, and funding levels for each district shall be
21prorated according to the amount of the appropriation for any
22fiscal year in which at least $15,000,000 has been
23appropriated.
24    (e) (Blank).
25    (f) (Blank).
26(Source: P.A. 98-972, eff. 8-15-14.)
 

 

 

SB2245- 13 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    (105 ILCS 5/21B-20)
2    Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. The State Board of
3Education shall implement a system of educator licensure,
4whereby individuals employed in school districts who are
5required to be licensed must have one of the following
6licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii) an
7educator license with stipulations; (iii) a substitute
8teaching license; or (iv) until June 30, 2023, a short-term
9substitute teaching license. References in law regarding
10individuals certified or certificated or required to be
11certified or certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall
12also include individuals licensed or required to be licensed
13under this Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June
1430 following one full year of the license being issued.
15    The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
16State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
17rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for
18licenses and endorsements under this Section.
19        (1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i)
20    have successfully completed an approved educator
21    preparation program and are recommended for licensure by
22    the Illinois institution offering the educator preparation
23    program, (ii) have successfully completed the required
24    testing under Section 21B-30 of this Code, (iii) have
25    successfully completed coursework on the psychology of,

 

 

SB2245- 14 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    the identification of, and the methods of instruction for
2    the exceptional child, including without limitation
3    children with learning disabilities, (iv) have
4    successfully completed coursework in evidence-based
5    methods of reading that include explicit and repeated
6    focus on phonemic awareness, a systematic approach to
7    phonics (decoding), spelling instruction (encoding),
8    vocabulary development, including morphology, reading
9    fluency, oral language development, and reading
10    comprehension, including syntax and background (content)
11    knowledge, and reading in the content area, and (v) have
12    met all other criteria established by rule of the State
13    Board of Education shall be issued a Professional Educator
14    License. All Professional Educator Licenses are valid
15    until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the license
16    being issued. The Professional Educator License shall be
17    endorsed with specific areas and grade levels in which the
18    individual is eligible to practice. For an early childhood
19    education endorsement, an individual may satisfy the
20    student teaching requirement of his or her early childhood
21    teacher preparation program through placement in a setting
22    with children from birth through grade 2, and the
23    individual may be paid and receive credit while student
24    teaching. The student teaching experience must meet the
25    requirements of and be approved by the individual's early
26    childhood teacher preparation program.

 

 

SB2245- 15 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1        Individuals can receive subsequent endorsements on the
2    Professional Educator License. Subsequent endorsements
3    shall require a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework
4    in the endorsement area and passage of the applicable
5    content area test, unless otherwise specified by rule.
6        (2) Educator License with Stipulations. An Educator
7    License with Stipulations shall be issued an endorsement
8    that limits the license holder to one particular position
9    or does not require completion of an approved educator
10    program or both.
11        An individual with an Educator License with
12    Stipulations must not be employed by a school district or
13    any other entity to replace any presently employed teacher
14    who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.
15        An Educator License with Stipulations may be issued
16    with the following endorsements:
17            (A) (Blank).
18            (B) Alternative provisional educator. An
19        alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
20        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
21        applicant who, at the time of applying for the
22        endorsement, has done all of the following:
23                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
24            college or university with a minimum of a
25            bachelor's degree.
26                (ii) Successfully completed the first phase of

 

 

SB2245- 16 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

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

 

 

SB2245- 17 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1            of this Code.
2                (iv) Passed a content area test required under
3            Section 21B-30 of this Code.
4            The endorsement is valid for 2 fiscal years in
5        order to complete one full year of serving as a
6        superintendent or assistant superintendent.
7            (D) (Blank).
8            (E) Career and technical educator. A career and
9        technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
10        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
11        has a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework from a
12        regionally accredited institution of higher education
13        or an accredited trade and technical institution and
14        has a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience outside of
15        education in each area to be taught.
16            The career and technical educator endorsement on
17        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
18        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
19        endorsement being issued and may be renewed.
20            An individual who holds a valid career and
21        technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
22        with Stipulations but does not hold a bachelor's
23        degree may substitute teach in career and technical
24        education classrooms.
25            (F) (Blank).
26            (G) Transitional bilingual educator. A

 

 

SB2245- 18 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1        transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an
2        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for
3        the purpose of providing instruction in accordance
4        with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who
5        provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets
6        all of the following requirements:
7                (i) Possesses adequate speaking, reading, and
8            writing ability in the language other than English
9            in which transitional bilingual education is
10            offered.
11                (ii) Has the ability to successfully
12            communicate in English.
13                (iii) Either possessed, within 5 years
14            previous to his or her applying for a transitional
15            bilingual educator endorsement, a valid and
16            comparable teaching certificate or comparable
17            authorization issued by a foreign country or holds
18            a degree from an institution of higher learning in
19            a foreign country that the State Educator
20            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
21            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
22            regionally accredited institution of higher
23            learning in the United States.
24            A transitional bilingual educator endorsement
25        shall be valid for prekindergarten through grade 12,
26        is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years

 

 

SB2245- 19 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1        of the endorsement being issued, and shall not be
2        renewed.
3            Persons holding a transitional bilingual educator
4        endorsement shall not be employed to replace any
5        presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be
6        replaced for any reason.
7            (H) Language endorsement. In an effort to
8        alleviate the shortage of teachers speaking a language
9        other than English in the public schools, an
10        individual who holds an Educator License with
11        Stipulations may also apply for a language
12        endorsement, provided that the applicant provides
13        satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all of the
14        following requirements:
15                (i) Holds a transitional bilingual
16            endorsement.
17                (ii) Has demonstrated proficiency in the
18            language for which the endorsement is to be issued
19            by passing the applicable language content test
20            required by the State Board of Education.
21                (iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from
22            a regionally accredited institution of higher
23            education or, for individuals educated in a
24            country other than the United States, holds a
25            degree from an institution of higher learning in a
26            foreign country that the State Educator

 

 

SB2245- 20 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

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

 

 

SB2245- 21 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1            language.
2            A holder of a visiting international educator
3        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
4        shall be permitted to teach in bilingual education
5        programs in the language that was the medium of
6        instruction in his or her teacher preparation program,
7        provided that he or she passes the English Language
8        Proficiency Examination or another test of writing
9        skills in English identified by the State Board of
10        Education, in consultation with the State Educator
11        Preparation and Licensure Board.
12            A visiting international educator endorsement on
13        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 5
14        years and shall not be renewed.
15            (J) Paraprofessional educator. A paraprofessional
16        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
17        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a
18        high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and
19        (i) holds an associate's degree or a minimum of 60
20        semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited
21        institution of higher education; (ii) has passed a
22        paraprofessional competency test under subsection
23        (c-5) of Section 21B-30; or (iii) is at least 18 years
24        of age and will be using the Educator License with
25        Stipulations exclusively for grades prekindergarten
26        through grade 8, until the individual reaches the age

 

 

SB2245- 22 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1        of 19 years and otherwise meets the criteria for a
2        paraprofessional educator endorsement pursuant to this
3        subparagraph (J). The paraprofessional educator
4        endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately
5        following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and
6        may be renewed through application and payment of the
7        appropriate fee, as required under Section 21B-40 of
8        this Code. An individual who holds only a
9        paraprofessional educator endorsement is not subject
10        to additional requirements in order to renew the
11        endorsement.
12            (K) Chief school business official. A chief school
13        business official endorsement on an Educator License
14        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
15        qualifies by having a master's degree or higher, 2
16        years of full-time administrative experience in school
17        business management or 2 years of university-approved
18        practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester
19        hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the
20        State Board of Education for the preparation of school
21        business administrators and by passage of the
22        applicable State tests, including an applicable
23        content area test.
24            The chief school business official endorsement may
25        also be affixed to the Educator License with
26        Stipulations of any holder who qualifies by having a

 

 

SB2245- 23 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1        master's degree in business administration, finance,
2        accounting, or public administration and who completes
3        an additional 6 semester hours of internship in school
4        business management from a regionally accredited
5        institution of higher education and passes the
6        applicable State tests, including an applicable
7        content area test. This endorsement shall be required
8        for any individual employed as a chief school business
9        official.
10            The chief school business official endorsement on
11        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 if the
14        license holder completes renewal requirements as
15        required for individuals who hold a Professional
16        Educator License endorsed for chief school business
17        official under Section 21B-45 of this Code and such
18        rules as may be adopted by the State Board of
19        Education.
20            The State Board of Education shall adopt any rules
21        necessary to implement Public Act 100-288.
22            (L) Provisional in-state educator. A provisional
23        in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License
24        with Stipulations may be issued to a candidate who has
25        completed an Illinois-approved educator preparation
26        program at an Illinois institution of higher education

 

 

SB2245- 24 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1        and who has not successfully completed an
2        evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness but
3        who meets all of the following requirements:
4                (i) Holds at least a bachelor's degree.
5                (ii) Has completed an approved educator
6            preparation program at an Illinois institution.
7                (iii) Has passed an applicable content area
8            test, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
9                (iv) Has attempted an evidence-based
10            assessment of teacher effectiveness and received a
11            minimum score on that assessment, as established
12            by the State Board of Education in consultation
13            with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
14            Board.
15            A provisional in-state educator endorsement on an
16        Educator License with Stipulations is valid for one
17        full fiscal year after the date of issuance and may not
18        be renewed.
19            (M) (Blank).
20            (N) Specialized services. A specialized services
21        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
22        may be issued as defined and specified by rule.
23        (3) Substitute Teaching License. A Substitute Teaching
24    License may be issued to qualified applicants for
25    substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools,
26    prekindergarten through grade 12. Substitute Teaching

 

 

SB2245- 25 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    Licenses are not eligible for endorsements. Applicants for
2    a Substitute Teaching License must hold a bachelor's
3    degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
4    of higher education or must be enrolled in an approved
5    educator preparation program in this State and have earned
6    at least 90 credit hours.
7        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years.
8        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute
9    teaching in every county of this State. If an individual
10    has had his or her Professional Educator License or
11    Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked,
12    then that individual is not eligible to obtain a
13    Substitute Teaching License.
14        A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a
15    licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing
16    board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under
17    contract because of an emergency situation, then a
18    district may employ a substitute teacher for no longer
19    than 30 calendar days per each vacant position in the
20    district if the district notifies the appropriate regional
21    office of education within 5 business days after the
22    employment of the substitute teacher in the emergency
23    situation. An emergency situation is one in which an
24    unforeseen vacancy has occurred and (i) a teacher is
25    unable to fulfill his or her contractual duties or (ii)
26    teacher capacity needs of the district exceed previous

 

 

SB2245- 26 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    indications, and the district is actively engaged in
2    advertising to hire a fully licensed teacher for the
3    vacant position.
4        There is no limit on the number of days that a
5    substitute teacher may teach in a single school district,
6    provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer
7    than 120 days beginning with the 2021-2022 school year
8    through the 2022-2023 school year, otherwise 90 school
9    days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
10    same school year. A substitute teacher who holds a
11    Professional Educator License or Educator License with
12    Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school days
13    for any one licensed teacher under contract in the same
14    school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on the
15    number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do not
16    apply to any school district operating under Article 34 of
17    this Code.
18        A school district may not require an individual who
19    holds a valid Professional Educator License or Educator
20    License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute
21    Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher.
22        (4) Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Beginning
23    on July 1, 2018 and until June 30, 2023, the State Board of
24    Education may issue a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
25    License. A Short-Term Substitute Teaching License may be
26    issued to a qualified applicant for substitute teaching in

 

 

SB2245- 27 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through
2    grade 12. Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are not
3    eligible for endorsements. Applicants for a Short-Term
4    Substitute Teaching License must hold an associate's
5    degree or have completed at least 60 credit hours from a
6    regionally accredited institution of higher education.
7        Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for
8    substitute teaching in every county of this State. If an
9    individual has had his or her Professional Educator
10    License or Educator License with Stipulations suspended or
11    revoked, then that individual is not eligible to obtain a
12    Short-Term Substitute Teaching License.
13        The provisions of Sections 10-21.9 and 34-18.5 of this
14    Code apply to short-term substitute teachers.
15        An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
16    License may teach no more than 15 consecutive days per
17    licensed teacher who is under contract. For teacher
18    absences lasting 6 or more days per licensed teacher who
19    is under contract, a school district may not hire an
20    individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
21    License, unless the Governor has declared a disaster due
22    to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
23    Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. An individual
24    holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License must
25    complete the training program under Section 10-20.67 or
26    34-18.60 of this Code to be eligible to teach at a public

 

 

SB2245- 28 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    school. This paragraph (4) is inoperative on and after
2    July 1, 2023.
3(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-220, eff. 8-7-19;
4101-594, eff. 12-5-19; 101-643, eff. 6-18-20; 102-711, eff.
51-1-23; 102-712, eff. 4-27-22; 102-713, eff. 1-1-23; 102-717,
6eff. 4-29-22; 102-894, eff. 5-20-22; revised 12-13-22.)
 
7    (105 ILCS 5/21B-30)
8    Sec. 21B-30. Educator testing.
9    (a) (Blank).
10    (b) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
11State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall design
12and implement a system of examinations, which shall be
13required prior to the issuance of educator licenses. These
14examinations and indicators must be based on national and
15State professional teaching standards, as determined by the
16State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
17Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. The State Board of
18Education may adopt such rules as may be necessary to
19implement and administer this Section.
20    (c) (Blank).
21    (c-5) The State Board must adopt rules to implement a
22paraprofessional competency test. This test would allow an
23applicant seeking an Educator License with Stipulations with a
24paraprofessional educator endorsement to obtain the
25endorsement if he or she passes the test and meets the other

 

 

SB2245- 29 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1requirements of subparagraph (J) of paragraph (2) of Section
221B-20 other than the higher education requirements.
3    (d) All applicants seeking a State license shall be
4required to pass a test of content area knowledge for each area
5of endorsement for which there is an applicable test. There
6shall be no exception to this requirement. No candidate shall
7be allowed to student teach or serve as the teacher of record
8until he or she has passed the applicable content area test.
9    (d-5) All applicants seeking a State license after October
101, 2025 in the areas of early childhood education, early
11childhood special education, elementary education in grades
12one through 6, reading specialist, reading teacher, learning
13behavior specialist I, special education general curriculum,
14director of special education, and principal as instruction
15leader shall take a test in reading foundations, which shall
16include assessment of the applicant's understanding of
17phonological and phonemic awareness, concepts of print and the
18alphabetic principle, the role of phonics in promoting reading
19development, word analysis skills and strategies, vocabulary
20development, linguistics, morphology, application of reading
21comprehension skills and strategies, and methods for assessing
22reading development. The test in reading foundations must also
23assess applicants' knowledge of assessment, differentiation,
24and intervention with respect to each component of reading for
25English learners, students with disabilities, and students
26with advanced skills in some areas of reading.

 

 

SB2245- 30 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    Candidates need not achieve a particular score on the test
2in reading foundations; however, candidates who achieve a
3passing score shall earn a notation on their transcript and an
4additional credential on their Professional Educator License,
5and this information shall be considered during each
6preparation program's reaccreditation process. The State Board
7shall aggregate and publish the number of candidates in each
8preparation program who take the test in reading foundations
9and the number who pass the test. The State Board shall cover
10the costs of the assessment, and no candidate or preparation
11program shall be charged a fee for the assessment. Candidates
12who have taken the test previously need not take it again for
13additional licensure areas, though they may choose to do so.
14    (e) (Blank).
15    (f) Except as otherwise provided in this Article,
16beginning on September 1, 2015, all candidates completing
17teacher preparation programs in this State and all candidates
18subject to Section 21B-35 of this Code are required to pass a
19teacher performance assessment approved by the State Board of
20Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
21and Licensure Board. A candidate may not be required to submit
22test materials by video submission. Subject to appropriation,
23an individual who holds a Professional Educator License and is
24employed for a minimum of one school year by a school district
25designated as Tier 1 under Section 18-8.15 may, after
26application to the State Board, receive from the State Board a

 

 

SB2245- 31 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1refund for any costs associated with completing the teacher
2performance assessment under this subsection.
3    (g) The content area knowledge test and the teacher
4performance assessment shall be the tests that from time to
5time are designated by the State Board of Education, in
6consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
7Board, and may be tests prepared by an educational testing
8organization or tests designed by the State Board of
9Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
10and Licensure Board. The test of content area knowledge shall
11assess content knowledge in a specific subject field. The
12tests must be designed to be racially neutral to ensure that no
13person taking the tests is discriminated against on the basis
14of race, color, national origin, or other factors unrelated to
15the person's ability to perform as a licensed employee. The
16score required to pass the tests shall be fixed by the State
17Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator
18Preparation and Licensure Board. The tests shall be
19administered not fewer than 3 times a year at such time and
20place as may be designated by the State Board of Education, in
21consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
22Board.
23    The State Board shall implement a test or tests to assess
24the speaking, reading, writing, and grammar skills of
25applicants for an endorsement or a license issued under
26subdivision (G) of paragraph (2) of Section 21B-20 of this

 

 

SB2245- 32 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1Code in the English language and in the language of the
2transitional bilingual education program requested by the
3applicant.
4    (h) Except as provided in Section 34-6 of this Code, the
5provisions of this Section shall apply equally in any school
6district subject to Article 34 of this Code.
7    (i) The rules developed to implement and enforce the
8testing requirements under this Section shall include, without
9limitation, provisions governing test selection, test
10validation, and determination of a passing score for all tests
11except the reading foundations test, administration of the
12tests, frequency of administration, applicant fees, frequency
13of applicants taking the tests, the years for which a score is
14valid, and appropriate special accommodations. The State Board
15of Education shall develop such rules as may be needed to
16ensure uniformity from year to year in the level of difficulty
17for each form of an assessment. The State Board shall base its
18rules concerning the passing score on the reading foundations
19test on the recommended cut-score determined in the formal
20standard-setting process.
21(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-220, eff. 8-7-19;
22101-594, eff. 12-5-19; 102-301, eff. 8-26-21.)
 
23    (105 ILCS 5/21B-35)
24    Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in
25other states or countries.

 

 

SB2245- 33 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    (a) Any applicant who has not been entitled by an
2Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
3institution of higher education applying for a Professional
4Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school
5support personnel area must meet the following requirements:
6        (1) the applicant must:
7            (A) hold a comparable and valid educator license
8        or certificate, as defined by rule, with similar grade
9        level and content area credentials from another state,
10        with the State Board of Education having the authority
11        to determine what constitutes similar grade level and
12        content area credentials from another state;
13            (B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally
14        accredited institution of higher education; and
15            (C) (blank); or
16        (2) the applicant must:
17            (A) have completed a state-approved program for
18        the licensure area sought, including coursework
19        concerning (i) methods of instruction of the
20        exceptional child, (ii) evidence-based methods of
21        reading that include explicit and repeated focus on
22        phonemic awareness, a systematic approach to phonics
23        (decoding), spelling instruction (encoding),
24        vocabulary development, including morphology, reading
25        fluency, oral language development, and reading
26        comprehension, including syntax and background

 

 

SB2245- 34 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

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

 

 

SB2245- 35 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1applicants trained in another country must meet all of the
2following requirements:
3        (1) Have completed a comparable education program in
4    another country.
5        (2) Have had transcripts evaluated by an evaluation
6    service approved by the State Superintendent of Education.
7        (3) Have a degree comparable to a degree from a
8    regionally accredited institution of higher education.
9        (4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
10    concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional
11    child, (ii) evidence-based methods of reading that include
12    explicit and repeated focus on phonemic awareness, a
13    systematic approach to phonics (decoding), spelling
14    instruction (encoding), vocabulary development, including
15    morphology, reading fluency, oral language development,
16    and reading comprehension, including syntax and background
17    (content) knowledge, and reading in the content area, and
18    (iii) instructional strategies for English learners.
19        (5) (Blank).
20        (6) (Blank).
21        (7) Have successfully met all State licensure
22    examination requirements. Applicants who have successfully
23    completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the
24    time of initial licensure in another country shall not be
25    required to complete a test of content. Applicants for a
26    teaching endorsement who have successfully completed an

 

 

SB2245- 36 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness, as
2    defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in
3    another country shall not be required to complete an
4    evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness.
5        (8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent
6    experience.
7        (9) (Blank).
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 hold a comparable and valid educator license or
15certificate with similar grade level and subject matter
16credentials, with the State Board of Education having the
17authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level
18and subject matter credentials from another state, or must
19meet all of the following requirements:
20        (1) Have completed an educator preparation program
21    approved by another state or comparable educator program
22    in 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

 

 

SB2245- 37 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1    test of content, 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 content.
4        (2.5) Have completed an internship, as defined by
5    rule.
6        (3) (Blank).
7        (4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
8    concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional
9    child, (ii) evidence-based methods of reading that include
10    explicit and repeated focus on phonemic awareness, a
11    systematic approach to phonics (decoding), spelling
12    instruction (encoding), vocabulary development, including
13    morphology, reading fluency, oral language development,
14    and reading comprehension, including syntax and background
15    (content) knowledge, and reading in the content area, and
16    (iii) instructional strategies for English learners.
17        (4.5) (Blank).
18        (5) Have completed a master's degree.
19        (6) Have successfully completed teaching, school
20    support, or administrative experience as defined by rule.
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

 

 

SB2245- 38 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level
2and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of
3Education having the authority to determine what constitutes
4similar grade level and subject matter credentials from
5another state, or must meet all of the following requirements:
6        (1) Have completed a master's degree.
7        (2) Have 2 years of full-time experience providing
8    special education services.
9        (3) Have successfully completed all examination
10    requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
11    Applicants who have successfully completed a test of
12    content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial
13    licensure in another state or country shall not be
14    required to complete a test of content.
15        (4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
16    concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional
17    child, (ii) evidence-based methods of reading that include
18    explicit and repeated focus on phonemic awareness, a
19    systematic approach to phonics (decoding), spelling
20    instruction (encoding), vocabulary development, including
21    morphology, reading fluency, oral language development,
22    and reading comprehension, including syntax and background
23    (content) knowledge, and reading in the content area, and
24    (iii) instructional strategies for English learners.
25    (b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
26Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois

 

 

SB2245- 39 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

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

 

 

SB2245- 40 -LRB103 25647 RJT 51996 b

1rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.
2(Source: P.A. 101-220, eff. 8-7-19; 101-643, eff. 6-18-20;
3102-539, eff. 8-20-21.)
 
4    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
5becoming law.