Section 25.560  Approval of Interveners for Students Who Are Deaf-Blind

Each intervener who serves students with deaf-blindness in the public schools shall be of good character, as defined in Section 21B-15 of the Code.  Each intervener shall be subject to that portion of Section 24-5 of the Code that requires physical fitness and freedom from tuberculosis as may be required by Illinois Department of Public Health rules (77 Ill. Adm. Code 696; Control of Tuberculosis Code).  Each intervener shall hold a statement of approval from the State Superintendent, which shall be identified as a valid intervener.  Each individual who is required to hold a statement of approval shall submit an application to the State Superintendent, accompanied by the fee required by Section 21B-40 of the Code and evidence that the individual meets the requirements applicable to the type of approval sought.

a)         Approval Criteria

1)         Each applicant for approval as an intervener shall:

A)        have completed 60 semester hours of college credit from one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education;

B)        hold an associate's degree issued by a regionally accredited institution of higher education; or

C)        hold a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and have achieved the score identified as passing by the State Board of Education on one of the examinations for paraprofessionals discussed in Section 25.510(b).

2)         Each applicant for intervener shall also demonstrate nationally recognized intervener knowledge and skills competencies by holding a National Intervener Credential/Certificate.

b)         Validity; Renewal

Approval shall be valid for five fiscal years, subject to the provisions of Section 21B-20 of the Code, and shall be renewable upon presentation of evidence that, during the five-year period of the approval's validity, the individual has completed 50 professional development hours.  The approval shall be renewed between April 1 and June 30 of each renewal cycle.  If the approval is not renewed during this time period, it will expire and any required professional development must be completed prior to a new approval being issued.

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 12973, effective July 13, 2022)