Section 1.781  Requirements for Bilingual Education Teachers  in Grades K-12

a)         Bilingual education teachers employed in an approved bilingual education program prior to September 1, 1985 are not subject to the requirements set forth below, provided they continue to hold a certificate issued prior to that date and valid for their current teaching role. Bilingual education teachers whose Transitional Bilingual Certificate will lapse between June 30, 1985 and June 30, 1987 shall have until September 1, 1988 to achieve compliance with the standards set forth below.

b)         On September 1, 1985 and thereafter, bilingual education teachers in approved bilingual education programs must meet one of the following two requirements.

1)         Possess a Transitional Bilingual Certificate issued in accordance with 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25.90

2)         Possess a valid Illinois teacher certificate and possess a statement of approval which shall be issued by the State Board of Education when evidence is presented demonstrating that the following requirements have been met:

A)        Verification of reading and speaking proficiency in the non-English language for which the approval is sought.  Verification must be provided by a recognized Illinois teacher education institution whose assessment procedures have been approved pursuant to Section 25.90(b) of 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25, Certification.

            and either

B)        18 semester hours distributed among the following areas and including 100 clock hours of clinical experience or 3 months teaching experience in a bilingual education program:

i)          Foundations of bilingual education

ii)         Assessment of the bilingual student

iii)         Methods and materials for teaching limited English proficient (LEP) students in bilingual programs

iv)        Methods and materials for teaching English as a Second Language

v)         Cross-cultural studies for teaching LEP students or

C)        Two years teaching experience in a state-approved bilingual program prior to September 1, 1985, and 75 clock hours of experience acquired prior to September 1, 1985, in conferences or workshops required by Section 228.50 of the rules governing Transitional Bilingual Education (23 Ill. Adm. Code 228.50), distributed among the following areas:

i)          Foundations of bilingual education

ii)         Assessment of bilingual student

iii)         Methods and materials for teaching LEP students in bilingual programs

iv)        Methods and materials for teaching English as a Second Language

v)         Cross-cultural studies for teaching LEP students

(Source:  Added at 9 Ill. Reg. 8608, effective May 28, 1985)