SB2912 EngrossedLRB099 19280 NHT 45355 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 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
521B-20, 21B-25, 21B-30, 21B-35, 21B-40, and 21B-45 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/21B-20)
7    Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. Before July 1, 2013, the
8State Board of Education shall implement a system of educator
9licensure, whereby individuals employed in school districts
10who are required to be licensed must have one of the following
11licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii) a
12professional educator license with stipulations; or (iii) a
13substitute teaching license. References in law regarding
14individuals certified or certificated or required to be
15certified or certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall
16also include individuals licensed or required to be licensed
17under this Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June
1830 following one full year of the license being issued.
19    The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
20State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
21rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for
22licenses and endorsements under this Section.
23        (1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i)

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
2        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has a
3        minimum of 8,000 hours of work experience in the skill
4        for which the applicant is seeking the endorsement. It
5        is the responsibility of each employing school board
6        and regional office of education to provide
7        verification, in writing, to the State Superintendent
8        of Education at the time the application is submitted
9        that no qualified teacher holding a Professional
10        Educator License or an Educator License with
11        Stipulations with a career and technical educator
12        endorsement is available and that actual circumstances
13        require such issuance.
14            The provisional career and technical educator
15        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
16        is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
17        the endorsement being issued and may be renewed only
18        one time for 5 years. For individuals who were issued
19        the provisional career and technical educator
20        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
21        on or after January 1, 2015, the license may be renewed
22        one time if the individual passes a test of basic
23        skills or test of work proficiency, as required under
24        Section 21B-30 of this Code, and has completed a
25        minimum of 20 semester hours from a regionally
26        accredited institution.

 

 

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1            A part-time provisional career and technical
2        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
3        Stipulations may be issued for teaching no more than 2
4        courses of study for grades 6 through 12. The part-time
5        provisional career and technical educator endorsement
6        on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
7        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
8        endorsement being issued and may be renewed for 5 years
9        if the individual makes application for renewal.
10            (G) Transitional bilingual educator. A
11        transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an
12        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for
13        the purpose of providing instruction in accordance
14        with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who
15        provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all
16        of the following requirements:
17                (i) Possesses adequate speaking, reading, and
18            writing ability in the language other than English
19            in which transitional bilingual education is
20            offered.
21                (ii) Has the ability to successfully
22            communicate in English.
23                (iii) Either possessed, within 5 years
24            previous to his or her applying for a transitional
25            bilingual educator endorsement, a valid and
26            comparable teaching certificate or comparable

 

 

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1            authorization issued by a foreign country or holds
2            a degree from an institution of higher learning in
3            a foreign country that the State Educator
4            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
5            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
6            regionally accredited institution of higher
7            learning in the United States.
8            A transitional bilingual educator endorsement
9        shall be valid for prekindergarten through grade 12, is
10        valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
11        the endorsement being issued, and shall not be renewed.
12            Persons holding a transitional bilingual educator
13        endorsement shall not be employed to replace any
14        presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be
15        replaced for any reason.
16            (H) Language endorsement. In an effort to
17        alleviate the shortage of teachers speaking a language
18        other than English in the public schools, an individual
19        who holds an Educator License with Stipulations may
20        also apply for a language endorsement, provided that
21        the applicant provides satisfactory evidence that he
22        or she meets all of the following requirements:
23                (i) Holds a transitional bilingual
24            endorsement.
25                (ii) Has demonstrated proficiency in the
26            language for which the endorsement is to be issued

 

 

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1            by passing the applicable language content test
2            required by the State Board of Education.
3                (iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from
4            a regionally accredited institution of higher
5            education or, for individuals educated in a
6            country other than the United States, holds a
7            degree from an institution of higher learning in a
8            foreign country that the State Educator
9            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
10            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
11            regionally accredited institution of higher
12            learning in the United States.
13                (iv) Has passed a test of basic skills, as
14            required under Section 21B-30 of this Code.
15            A language endorsement on an Educator License with
16        Stipulations is valid for prekindergarten through
17        grade 12 for the same validity period as the
18        individual's transitional bilingual educator
19        endorsement on the Educator License with Stipulations
20        and shall not be renewed.
21            (I) Visiting international educator. A visiting
22        international educator endorsement on an Educator
23        License with Stipulations may be issued to an
24        individual who is being recruited by a particular
25        school district that conducts formal recruitment
26        programs outside of the United States to secure the

 

 

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1        services of qualified teachers and who meets all of the
2        following requirements:
3                (i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
4            bachelor's degree issued in the United States.
5                (ii) Has been prepared as a teacher at the
6            grade level for which he or she will be employed.
7                (iii) Has adequate content knowledge in the
8            subject to be taught.
9                (iv) Has an adequate command of the English
10            language.
11            A holder of a visiting international educator
12        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
13        shall be permitted to teach in bilingual education
14        programs in the language that was the medium of
15        instruction in his or her teacher preparation program,
16        provided that he or she passes the English Language
17        Proficiency Examination or another test of writing
18        skills in English identified by the State Board of
19        Education, in consultation with the State Educator
20        Preparation and Licensure Board.
21            A visiting international educator endorsement on
22        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 3
23        years and shall not be renewed.
24            (J) Paraprofessional educator. A paraprofessional
25        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
26        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a

 

 

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1        high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and
2        either holds an associate's degree or a minimum of 60
3        semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited
4        institution of higher education or has passed a test of
5        basic skills required under Section 21B-30 of this
6        Code. The paraprofessional educator endorsement is
7        valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
8        the endorsement being issued and may be renewed through
9        application and payment of the appropriate fee, as
10        required under Section 21B-40 of this Code. An
11        individual who holds only a paraprofessional educator
12        endorsement is not subject to additional requirements
13        in order to renew the endorsement.
14            (K) Chief school business official. A chief school
15        business official endorsement on an Educator License
16        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
17        qualifies by having a master's degree or higher, 2
18        years of full-time administrative experience in school
19        business management or 2 years of university-approved
20        practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester
21        hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the
22        State Board of Education for the preparation of school
23        business administrators and by passage of the
24        applicable State tests, including a test of basic
25        skills and applicable content area test.
26            The chief school business official endorsement may

 

 

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1        also be affixed to the Educator License with
2        Stipulations of any holder who qualifies by having a
3        master's degree in business administration, finance,
4        or accounting and who completes an additional 6
5        semester hours of internship in school business
6        management from a regionally accredited institution of
7        higher education and passes the applicable State
8        tests, including a test of basic skills and applicable
9        content area test. This endorsement shall be required
10        for any individual employed as a chief school business
11        official.
12            The chief school business official endorsement on
13        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 if the
16        license holder completes renewal requirements as
17        required for individuals who hold a Professional
18        Educator License endorsed for chief school business
19        official under Section 21B-45 of this Code and such
20        rules as may be adopted by the State Board of
21        Education.
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

 

 

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

 

 

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1    higher education.
2        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years and
3    may be renewed if the individual has passed a test of basic
4    skills, as authorized under Section 21B-30 of this Code. An
5    individual who has passed a test of basic skills for the
6    first licensure renewal is not required to retake the test
7    again for further renewals.
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 or
12    has not met the renewal requirements for licensure, then
13    that individual is not eligible to obtain a Substitute
14    Teaching License.
15        A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a
16    licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing
17    board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under
18    contract because of an emergency situation, then a district
19    may employ a substitute teacher for no longer than 30
20    calendar days per each vacant position in the district if
21    the district notifies the appropriate regional office of
22    education within 5 business days after the employment of
23    the substitute teacher in the emergency situation. An
24    emergency situation is one in which an unforeseen vacancy
25    has occurred and (i) a teacher is unable to fulfill his or
26    her contractual duties or (ii) teacher capacity needs of

 

 

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1    the district exceed previous indications, and the district
2    is actively engaged in advertising to hire a fully licensed
3    teacher for the 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 90 school days for any one licensed teacher under
8    contract in the same school year. A substitute teacher who
9    holds a Professional Educator License or Educator License
10    with Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school
11    days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
12    same school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on
13    the number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do
14    not apply to any school district operating under Article 34
15    of this Code.
16(Source: P.A. 98-28, eff. 7-1-13; 98-751, eff. 1-1-15; 99-35,
17eff. 1-1-16; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-143, eff. 7-27-15; revised
1810-14-15.)
 
19    (105 ILCS 5/21B-25)
20    Sec. 21B-25. Endorsement on licenses. All licenses issued
21under paragraph (1) of Section 21B-20 of this Code shall be
22specifically endorsed by the State Board of Education for each
23content area, school support area, and administrative area for
24which the holder of the license is qualified. Recognized
25institutions approved to offer educator preparation programs

 

 

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1shall be trained to add endorsements to licenses issued to
2applicants who meet all of the requirements for the endorsement
3or endorsements, including passing any required tests. The
4State Superintendent of Education shall randomly audit
5institutions to ensure that all rules and standards are being
6followed for entitlement or when endorsements are being
7recommended.
8        (1) The State Board of Education, in consultation with
9    the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall
10    establish, by rule, the grade level and subject area
11    endorsements to be added to the Professional Educator
12    License. These rules shall outline the requirements for
13    obtaining each endorsement.
14        (2) In addition to any and all grade level and content
15    area endorsements developed by rule, the State Board of
16    Education, in consultation with the State Educator
17    Preparation and Licensure Board, shall develop the
18    requirements for the following endorsements:
19            (A) General administrative endorsement. A general
20        administrative endorsement shall be added to a
21        Professional Educator License, provided that an
22        approved program has been completed. An individual
23        holding a general administrative endorsement may work
24        only as a principal or assistant principal or in a
25        related or similar position, as determined by the State
26        Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the

 

 

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1        State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
2            Beginning on September 1, 2014, the general
3        administrative endorsement shall no longer be issued
4        except to individuals who completed all coursework
5        requirements for the receipt of the general
6        administrative endorsement by September 1, 2014, who
7        have completed all testing requirements by June 30,
8        2016, and who apply for the endorsement on or before
9        June 30, 2016. Individuals who hold a valid and
10        registered administrative certificate with a general
11        administrative endorsement issued under Section 21-7.1
12        of this Code or a Professional Educator License with a
13        general administrative endorsement issued prior to
14        September 1, 2014 and who have served for at least one
15        full year during the 5 years prior in a position
16        requiring a general administrative endorsement shall,
17        upon request to the State Board of Education and
18        through July 1, 2015, have their respective general
19        administrative endorsement converted to a principal
20        endorsement on the Professional Educator License.
21        Candidates shall not be admitted to an approved general
22        administrative preparation program after September 1,
23        2012.
24            All other individuals holding a valid and
25        registered administrative certificate with a general
26        administrative endorsement issued pursuant to Section

 

 

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

 

 

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1        issued pursuant to Section 21-7.1 of this Code or who
2        already have a Professional Educator License and have
3        completed a general administrative program and who do
4        not choose to convert the general administrative
5        endorsement to a principal endorsement pursuant to the
6        options in this Section.
7            (B) Principal endorsement. A principal endorsement
8        shall be affixed to a Professional Educator License of
9        any holder who qualifies by having all of the
10        following:
11                (i) Successful completion of a principal
12            preparation program approved in accordance with
13            Section 21B-60 of this Code and any applicable
14            rules.
15                (ii) At least 4 total years of teaching or,
16            until June 30, 2019, working in the capacity of
17            school support personnel in an Illinois public
18            school or nonpublic school recognized by the State
19            Board of Education or in an out-of-state public
20            school or out-of-state nonpublic school meeting
21            out-of-state recognition standards comparable to
22            those approved by the State Superintendent of
23            Education; however, the State Board of Education,
24            in consultation with the State Educator
25            Preparation and Licensure Board, shall allow, by
26            rules, for fewer than 4 years of experience based

 

 

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1            on meeting standards set forth in such rules,
2            including without limitation a review of
3            performance evaluations or other evidence of
4            demonstrated qualifications.
5                (iii) A master's degree or higher from a
6            regionally accredited college or university.
7            (C) Chief school business official endorsement. A
8        chief school business official endorsement shall be
9        affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
10        holder who qualifies by having a master's degree or
11        higher, 2 years of full-time administrative experience
12        in school business management or 2 years of
13        university-approved practical experience, and a
14        minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate credit in a
15        program approved by the State Board of Education for
16        the preparation of school business administrators and
17        by passage of the applicable State tests. The chief
18        school business official endorsement may also be
19        affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
20        holder who qualifies by having a master's degree in
21        business administration, finance, or accounting and
22        who completes an additional 6 semester hours of
23        internship in school business management from a
24        regionally accredited institution of higher education
25        and passes the applicable State tests. This
26        endorsement shall be required for any individual

 

 

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

 

 

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1        holding a valid educator license or certificate
2        comparable in validity and educational and experience
3        requirements and has passed the appropriate State
4        tests, as provided in Section 21B-30 of this Code. The
5        superintendent endorsement shall allow individuals to
6        serve only as a superintendent or assistant
7        superintendent.
8            (E) Teacher leader endorsement. It shall be the
9        policy of this State to improve the quality of
10        instructional leaders by providing a career pathway
11        for teachers interested in serving in leadership
12        roles, but not as principals. The State Board of
13        Education, in consultation with the State Educator
14        Preparation and Licensure Board, may issue a teacher
15        leader endorsement under this subdivision (E). Persons
16        who meet and successfully complete the requirements of
17        the endorsement shall be issued a teacher leader
18        endorsement on the Professional Educator License for
19        serving in schools in this State. Teacher leaders may
20        qualify to serve in such positions as department
21        chairs, coaches, mentors, curriculum and instruction
22        leaders, or other leadership positions as defined by
23        the district. The endorsement shall be available to
24        those teachers who (i) hold a Professional Educator
25        License, (ii) hold a master's degree or higher from a
26        regionally accredited institution, (iii) have

 

 

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1        completed a program of study that has been approved by
2        the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
3        State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and
4        (iv) have successfully demonstrated competencies as
5        defined by rule. have taken coursework in all of the
6        following areas:
7                (I) Leadership.
8                (II) Designing professional development to
9            meet teaching and learning needs.
10                (III) Building school culture that focuses on
11            student learning.
12                (IV) Using assessments to improve student
13            learning and foster school improvement.
14                (V) Building collaboration with teachers and
15            stakeholders.
16            A teacher who meets the requirements set forth in
17        this Section and holds a teacher leader endorsement may
18        evaluate teachers pursuant to Section 24A-5 of this
19        Code, provided that the individual has completed the
20        evaluation component required by Section 24A-3 of this
21        Code and a teacher leader is allowed to evaluate
22        personnel under the respective school district's
23        collective bargaining agreement.
24            The State Board of Education, in consultation with
25        the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board,
26        may adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish

 

 

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1        and implement the teacher leader endorsement program
2        and to specify the positions for which this endorsement
3        shall be required.
4            (F) Special education endorsement. A special
5        education endorsement in one or more areas shall be
6        affixed to a Professional Educator License for any
7        individual that meets those requirements established
8        by the State Board of Education in rules. Special
9        education endorsement areas shall include without
10        limitation the following:
11                (i) Learning Behavior Specialist I;
12                (ii) Learning Behavior Specialist II;
13                (iii) Speech Language Pathologist;
14                (iv) Blind or Visually Impaired;
15                (v) Deaf-Hard of Hearing; and
16                (vi) Early Childhood Special Education.
17        Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the contrary,
18        the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
19        State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may
20        add additional areas of special education by rule.
21            (G) School support personnel endorsement. School
22        support personnel endorsement areas shall include, but
23        are not limited to, school counselor, marriage and
24        family therapist, school psychologist, school speech
25        and language pathologist, school nurse, and school
26        social worker. This endorsement is for individuals who

 

 

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1        are not teachers or administrators, but still require
2        licensure to work in an instructional support position
3        in a public or State-operated elementary school,
4        secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement
5        with a governing body or board of control or a charter
6        school operating in compliance with the Charter
7        Schools Law. The school support personnel endorsement
8        shall be affixed to the Professional Educator License
9        and shall meet all of the requirements established in
10        any rules adopted to implement this subdivision (G).
11        The holder of such an endorsement is entitled to all of
12        the rights and privileges granted holders of any other
13        Professional Educator License, including teacher
14        benefits, compensation, and working conditions.
15            Beginning on January 1, 2014 and ending on April
16        30, 2014, a person holding a Professional Educator
17        License with a school speech and language pathologist
18        (teaching) endorsement may exchange his or her school
19        speech and language pathologist (teaching) endorsement
20        for a school speech and language pathologist
21        (non-teaching) endorsement through application to the
22        State Board of Education. There shall be no cost for
23        this exchange.
24(Source: P.A. 98-413, eff. 8-16-13; 98-610, eff. 12-27-13;
2598-872, eff. 8-11-14; 98-917, eff. 8-15-14; 98-1147, eff.
2612-31-14; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 

 

 

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1    (105 ILCS 5/21B-30)
2    Sec. 21B-30. Educator testing.
3    (a) This Section applies beginning on July 1, 2012.
4    (b) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
5State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall design
6and implement a system of examinations, which shall be required
7prior to the issuance of educator licenses. These examinations
8and indicators must be based on national and State professional
9teaching standards, as determined by the State Board of
10Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
11and Licensure Board. The State Board of Education may adopt
12such rules as may be necessary to implement and administer this
13Section. No score on a test required under this Section, other
14than a test of basic skills, shall be more than 10 years old at
15the time that an individual makes application for an educator
16license or endorsement.
17    (c) Applicants seeking a Professional Educator License or
18an Educator License with Stipulations shall be required to pass
19a test of basic skills before the license is issued, unless the
20endorsement the individual is seeking does not require passage
21of the test. All applicants completing Illinois-approved,
22teacher education or school service personnel preparation
23programs shall be required to pass the State Board of
24Education's recognized test of basic skills prior to starting
25their student teaching or starting the final semester of their

 

 

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1internship, unless required earlier at the discretion of the
2recognized, Illinois institution in which they are completing
3their approved program. An individual who passes a test of
4basic skills does not need to do so again for subsequent
5endorsements or other educator licenses.
6    (d) All applicants seeking a State license shall be
7required to pass a test of content area knowledge for each area
8of endorsement for which there is an applicable test. There
9shall be no exception to this requirement. No candidate shall
10be allowed to student teach or serve as the teacher of record
11until he or she has passed the applicable content area test.
12    (e) (Blank). All applicants seeking a State license
13endorsed in a teaching field shall pass the assessment of
14professional teaching (APT). Passage of the APT is required for
15completion of an approved Illinois educator preparation
16program.
17    (f) Except as otherwise provided in this Article, beginning
18Beginning on September 1, 2015, all candidates completing
19teacher preparation programs in this State and all candidates
20subject to Section 21B-35 of this Code are required to pass an
21evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness approved by
22the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
23Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. All recognized
24institutions offering approved teacher preparation programs
25must begin phasing in the approved teacher performance
26assessment no later than July 1, 2013.

 

 

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

 

 

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1bilingual education program requested by the applicant.
2    (h) Except as provided in Section 34-6 of this Code, the
3provisions of this Section shall apply equally in any school
4district subject to Article 34 of this Code.
5    (i) The rules developed to implement and enforce the
6testing requirements under this Section shall include without
7limitation provisions governing test selection, test
8validation and determination of a passing score,
9administration of the tests, frequency of administration,
10applicant fees, frequency of applicants taking the tests, the
11years for which a score is valid, and appropriate special
12accommodations. The State Board of Education shall develop such
13rules as may be needed to ensure uniformity from year to year
14in the level of difficulty for each form of an assessment.
15(Source: P.A. 98-361, eff. 1-1-14; 98-581, eff. 8-27-13;
1698-756, eff. 7-16-14; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 
17    (105 ILCS 5/21B-35)
18    Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in
19other states or countries.
20    (a) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
21Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
22institution of higher education applying for a Professional
23Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school support
24personnel area must meet all of the following requirements:
25        (1) Hold a comparable and valid educator license or

 

 

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

 

 

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1        (3) (Blank). Teachers and school support personnel who
2    have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
3    preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher
4    education shall meet the same requirements concerning
5    courses in the methods of instruction of the exceptional
6    child as candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved
7    educator preparation program in teaching and school
8    support personnel areas, as defined by rules.
9        (4) (Blank). Teachers and school support personnel who
10    have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
11    preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher
12    education shall meet the same requirements concerning
13    coursework in methods of reading and reading in the content
14    area as candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved
15    educator preparation program in teaching and school
16    support personnel areas, as defined by rules.
17        (5) (Blank). Teachers and school support personnel who
18    have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
19    preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher
20    education shall meet the same requirements concerning
21    courses in instructional strategies for English language
22    learners as candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved
23    educator preparation program in teaching and school
24    support personnel areas, as defined by rules.
25        (6) Have successfully met all Illinois examination
26    requirements. Applicants who have successfully completed a

 

 

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1    test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
2    initial licensure in another state shall not be required to
3    complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who have
4    successfully completed a test of content, as defined by
5    rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state
6    shall not be required to complete a test of content.
7    Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have
8    successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of
9    teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of
10    initial licensure in another state shall not be required to
11    complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher
12    effectiveness.
13        (7) For applicants for a teaching endorsement, have
14    completed student teaching or an equivalent experience or,
15    for applicants for a school service personnel endorsement,
16    have completed an internship or an equivalent experience.
17    Teachers and school support personnel who have not been
18entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program
19at an Illinois institution of higher education must submit
20verification to the State Board of Education of having
21completed coursework as required under items (3), (4), and (5)
22of this subsection (a) prior to issuance of a Professional
23Educator License. An individual who is not able to verify
24completion of the coursework as required under items (3), (4),
25and (5) of this subsection (a) may qualify for an Educator
26License with Stipulations with a provisional educator

 

 

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1endorsement and must complete coursework in those areas
2identified as deficient.
3    If one or more of the criteria in this subsection (a) are
4not met, then applicants who have not been entitled by an
5Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
6institution of higher education who hold a valid, comparable
7certificate from another state may qualify for a provisional
8educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations,
9in accordance with Section 21B-20 of this Code.
10    (b) In order to receive a Professional Educator License
11endorsed in a teaching field, applicants trained in another
12country must meet all of the following requirements:
13        (1) Have completed a comparable education program in
14    another country.
15        (2) Have had transcripts evaluated by an evaluation
16    service approved by the State Superintendent of Education.
17        (3) Hold a degreed major that must directly correspond
18    to the license or endorsement sought.
19        (4) (Blank). Have completed coursework in the methods
20    of instruction of the exceptional child.
21        (5) (Blank). Have completed coursework in methods of
22    reading and reading in the content area.
23        (6) (Blank). Have completed coursework in
24    instructional strategies for English learners.
25        (7) Have successfully met all State licensure
26    examination requirements. Applicants who have successfully

 

 

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1    completed a test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at
2    the time of initial licensure in another country shall not
3    be required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants
4    who have successfully completed a test of content, as
5    defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in
6    another country shall not be required to complete a test of
7    content. Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have
8    successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of
9    teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of
10    initial licensure in another country shall not be required
11    to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher
12    effectiveness.
13        (8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent
14    experience.
15    Applicants trained in another country must submit
16verification to the State Board of Education of having
17completed coursework as required under items (4), (5), and (6)
18of this subsection (b) prior to issuance of a Professional
19Educator License. Individuals who are not able to verify
20completion of the coursework as required under items (4), (5),
21and (6) of this subsection (b) may qualify for an Educator
22License with Stipulations with a provisional educator
23endorsement and must complete coursework in those areas
24identified as deficient.
25    If one or more of the criteria in this subsection (b) are
26not met, then an applicant trained in another country may

 

 

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1qualify for a provisional educator endorsement on an Educator
2License with Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of
3this Code.
4    (b-5) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
5Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
6institution of higher education and applicants trained in
7another country applying for a Professional Educator License
8endorsed for principal or superintendent must meet all of the
9following requirements:
10        (1) Have completed an educator preparation program
11    approved by another state or comparable educator program in
12    another country leading to the receipt of a license or
13    certificate for the Illinois endorsement sought.
14        (2) Have successfully met all State licensure
15    examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of
16    this Code. Applicants who have successfully completed a
17    test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
18    initial licensure in another state or country shall not be
19    required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who
20    have successfully completed a test of content, as defined
21    by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state
22    or country shall not be required to complete a test of
23    content.
24        (3) (Blank). Have received a certificate or license
25    endorsed in a teaching field.
26    A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a

 

 

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1superintendent or principal may be affixed to an Educator
2License with Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of
3this Code.
4    (b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
5Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
6institution of higher education applying for a Professional
7Educator License endorsed for chief school business official
8must 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 successfully completed modules in reading
21    methods, special education, and English Learners.
22    A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a chief
23school business official may be affixed to an Educator License
24with Stipulations.
25    (c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
26State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such

 

 

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1rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.
2(Source: P.A. 98-581, eff. 8-27-13; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 
3    (105 ILCS 5/21B-40)
4    Sec. 21B-40. Fees.
5    (a) Beginning with the start of the new licensure system
6established pursuant to this Article, the following fees shall
7be charged to applicants:
8        (1) A $75 application fee for a Professional Educator
9    License or an Educator License with Stipulations and for
10    individuals seeking a Substitute Teaching License.
11    However, beginning on January 1, 2015, the application fee
12    for a Professional Educator License and , Educator License
13    with Stipulations, or Substitute Teaching License shall be
14    $100.
15        (1.5) A $50 application fee for a Substitute Teaching
16    License.
17        (2) A $150 application fee for individuals who have not
18    been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation
19    program at an Illinois institution of higher education and
20    are seeking any of the licenses set forth in subdivision
21    (1) of this subsection (a).
22        (3) A $50 application fee for each endorsement or
23    approval an individual holding a license wishes to add to
24    that license.
25        (4) A $10 per year registration fee for the course of

 

 

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1    the validity cycle to register the license, which shall be
2    paid to the regional office of education having supervision
3    and control over the school in which the individual holding
4    the license is to be employed. If the individual holding
5    the license is not yet employed, then the license may be
6    registered in any county in this State. The registration
7    fee must be paid in its entirety the first time the
8    individual registers the license for a particular validity
9    period in a single region. No additional fee may be charged
10    for that validity period should the individual
11    subsequently register the license in additional regions.
12    An individual must register the license (i) immediately
13    after initial issuance of the license and (ii) at the
14    beginning of each renewal cycle if the individual has
15    satisfied the renewal requirements required under this
16    Code.
17    (b) All application fees paid pursuant to subdivisions (1)
18through (3) of subsection (a) of this Section shall be
19deposited into the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund and
20shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board of
21Education to provide the technology and human resources
22necessary for the timely and efficient processing of
23applications and for the renewal of licenses. Funds available
24from the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund may also be
25used by the State Board of Education to support the recruitment
26and retention of educators, to support educator preparation

 

 

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1programs as they seek national accreditation, and to provide
2professional development aligned with the requirements set
3forth in Section 21B-45 of this Code. A majority of the funds
4in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund must be dedicated
5to the timely and efficient processing of applications and for
6the renewal of licenses. The Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
7Fund is not subject to administrative charge transfers,
8authorized under Section 8h of the State Finance Act, from the
9Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund into any other fund of
10this State, and moneys in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
11Fund shall not revert back to the General Revenue Fund at any
12time.
13    The regional superintendent of schools shall deposit the
14registration fees paid pursuant to subdivision (4) of
15subsection (a) of this Section into the institute fund
16established pursuant to Section 3-11 of this Code.
17    (c) The State Board of Education and each regional office
18of education are authorized to charge a service or convenience
19fee for the use of credit cards for the payment of license
20fees. This service or convenience fee shall not exceed the
21amount required by the credit card processing company or vendor
22that has entered into a contract with the State Board or
23regional office of education for this purpose, and the fee must
24be paid to that company or vendor.
25    (d) If, at the time a certificate issued under Article 21
26of this Code is exchanged for a license issued under this

 

 

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1Article, a person has paid registration fees for any years of
2the validity period of the certificate and these years have not
3expired when the certificate is exchanged, then those fees must
4be applied to the registration of the new license.
5(Source: P.A. 98-610, eff. 12-27-13; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/21B-45)
7    Sec. 21B-45. Professional Educator License renewal.
8    (a) Individuals holding a Professional Educator License
9are required to complete the licensure renewal requirements as
10specified in this Section, unless otherwise provided in this
11Code.
12    Individuals holding a Professional Educator License shall
13meet the renewal requirements set forth in this Section, unless
14otherwise provided in this Code. If an individual holds a
15license endorsed in more than one area that has different
16renewal requirements, that individual shall follow the renewal
17requirements for the position for which he or she spends the
18majority of his or her time working.
19    (b) All Professional Educator Licenses not renewed as
20provided in this Section shall lapse on September 1 of that
21year. Lapsed licenses may be immediately reinstated upon (i)
22payment by the applicant of a $500 penalty to the State Board
23of Education or (ii) the demonstration of proficiency by
24completing 9 semester hours of coursework from a regionally
25accredited institution of higher education in the content area

 

 

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1that most aligns with one or more of the educator's endorsement
2areas. Any and all back fees, including without limitation
3registration fees owed from the time of expiration of the
4license until the date of reinstatement, shall be paid and kept
5in accordance with the provisions in Article 3 of this Code
6concerning an institute fund and the provisions in Article 21B
7of this Code concerning fees and requirements for registration.
8Licenses not registered in accordance with Section 21B-40 of
9this Code shall lapse after a period of 6 months from the
10expiration of the last year of registration. An unregistered
11license is invalid after September 1 for employment and
12performance of services in an Illinois public or State-operated
13school or cooperative and in a charter school. Any license or
14endorsement may be voluntarily surrendered by the license
15holder. A voluntarily surrendered license, except a substitute
16teaching license issued under Section 21B-20 of this Code,
17shall be treated as a revoked license. An Educator License with
18Stipulations with only a paraprofessional endorsement does not
19lapse.
20    (c) From July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, in order to
21satisfy the requirements for licensure renewal provided for in
22this Section, each professional educator licensee with an
23administrative endorsement who is working in a position
24requiring such endorsement shall complete one Illinois
25Administrators' Academy course, as described in Article 2 of
26this Code, per fiscal year.

 

 

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1    (d) Beginning July 1, 2014, in order to satisfy the
2requirements for licensure renewal provided for in this
3Section, each professional educator licensee may create a
4professional development plan each year. The plan shall address
5one or more of the endorsements that are required of his or her
6educator position if the licensee is employed and performing
7services in an Illinois public or State-operated school or
8cooperative. If the licensee is employed in a charter school,
9the plan shall address that endorsement or those endorsements
10most closely related to his or her educator position. Licensees
11employed and performing services in any other Illinois schools
12may participate in the renewal requirements by adhering to the
13same process.
14    Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the
15licensee's professional development activities shall align
16with one or more of the following criteria:
17        (1) activities are of a type that engage participants
18    over a sustained period of time allowing for analysis,
19    discovery, and application as they relate to student
20    learning, social or emotional achievement, or well-being;
21        (2) professional development aligns to the licensee's
22    performance;
23        (3) outcomes for the activities must relate to student
24    growth or district improvement;
25        (4) activities align to State-approved standards; and
26        (5) higher education coursework.

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1the required questions under penalty of perjury.
2    (g) The following entities shall be designated as approved
3to provide professional development activities for the renewal
4of Professional Educator Licenses:
5        (1) The State Board of Education.
6        (2) Regional offices of education and intermediate
7    service centers.
8        (3) Illinois professional associations representing
9    the following groups that are approved by the State
10    Superintendent of Education:
11            (A) school administrators;
12            (B) principals;
13            (C) school business officials;
14            (D) teachers, including special education
15        teachers;
16            (E) school boards;
17            (F) school districts;
18            (G) parents; and
19            (H) school service personnel.
20        (4) Regionally accredited institutions of higher
21    education that offer Illinois-approved educator
22    preparation programs and public community colleges subject
23    to the Public Community College Act.
24        (5) Illinois public school districts, charter schools
25    authorized under Article 27A of this Code, and joint
26    educational programs authorized under Article 10 of this

 

 

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1    Code for the purposes of providing career and technical
2    education or special education services.
3        (6) A not-for-profit organization that, as of December
4    31, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act 98-1147) this
5    amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, has had or has
6    a grant from or a contract with the State Board of
7    Education to provide professional development services in
8    the area of English Learning to Illinois school districts,
9    teachers, or administrators.
10        (7) State agencies, State boards, and State
11    commissions.
12        (8) (7) Museums as defined in Section 10 of the Museum
13    Disposition of Property Act.
14    (h) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
15shall make available professional development opportunities
16that satisfy at least one of the following:
17        (1) increase the knowledge and skills of school and
18    district leaders who guide continuous professional
19    development;
20        (2) improve the learning of students;
21        (3) organize adults into learning communities whose
22    goals are aligned with those of the school and district;
23        (4) deepen educator's content knowledge;
24        (5) provide educators with research-based
25    instructional strategies to assist students in meeting
26    rigorous academic standards;

 

 

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1        (6) prepare educators to appropriately use various
2    types of classroom assessments;
3        (7) use learning strategies appropriate to the
4    intended goals;
5        (8) provide educators with the knowledge and skills to
6    collaborate; or
7        (9) prepare educators to apply research to
8    decision-making.
9    (i) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
10shall do the following:
11        (1) align professional development activities to the
12    State-approved national standards for professional
13    learning;
14        (2) meet the professional development criteria for
15    Illinois licensure renewal;
16        (3) produce a rationale for the activity that explains
17    how it aligns to State standards and identify the
18    assessment for determining the expected impact on student
19    learning or school improvement;
20        (4) maintain original documentation for completion of
21    activities; and
22        (5) provide license holders with evidence of
23    completion of activities.
24    (j) The State Board of Education shall conduct annual
25audits of approved providers, except for school districts,
26which shall be audited by regional offices of education and

 

 

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1intermediate service centers. The State Board of Education
2shall complete random audits of licensees.
3        (1) Approved providers shall annually submit to the
4    State Board of Education a list of subcontractors used for
5    delivery of professional development activities for which
6    renewal credit was issued and other information as defined
7    by rule.
8        (2) Approved providers shall annually submit data to
9    the State Board of Education demonstrating how the
10    professional development activities impacted one or more
11    of the following:
12            (A) educator and student growth in regards to
13        content knowledge or skills, or both;
14            (B) educator and student social and emotional
15        growth; or
16            (C) alignment to district or school improvement
17        plans.
18        (3) The State Superintendent of Education shall review
19    the annual data collected by the State Board of Education,
20    regional offices of education, and intermediate service
21    centers in audits to determine if the approved provider has
22    met the criteria and should continue to be an approved
23    provider or if further action should be taken as provided
24    in rules.
25    (k) Registration fees shall be paid for the next renewal
26cycle between April 1 and June 30 in the last year of each

 

 

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15-year renewal cycle using ELIS. If all required professional
2development hours for the renewal cycle have been completed and
3entered by the licensee, the licensee shall pay the
4registration fees for the next cycle using a form of credit or
5debit card.
6    (l) Beginning July 1, 2014, any professional educator
7licensee endorsed for school support personnel who is employed
8and performing services in Illinois public schools and who
9holds an active and current professional license issued by the
10Department of Financial and Professional Regulation related to
11the endorsement areas on the Professional Educator License
12shall be deemed to have satisfied the continuing professional
13development requirements provided for in this Section. Such
14individuals shall be required to pay only registration fees to
15renew the Professional Educator License. An individual who does
16not hold a license issued by the Department of Financial and
17Professional Regulation shall complete professional
18development requirements for the renewal of a Professional
19Educator License provided for in this Section.
20    (m) Appeals to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
21Board must be made within 30 days after receipt of notice from
22the State Superintendent of Education that a license will not
23be renewed based upon failure to complete the requirements of
24this Section. A licensee may appeal that decision to the State
25Educator Preparation and Licensure Board in a manner prescribed
26by rule.

 

 

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

 

 

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1    using a form of credit or debit card.
2    (n) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as may be
3necessary to implement this Section.
4(Source: P.A. 98-610, eff. 12-27-13; 98-1147, eff. 12-31-14;
599-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-130, eff. 7-24-15; revised 10-21-15.)
 
6    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
7becoming law.