Sen. David S. Luechtefeld

Filed: 4/13/2016

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 2912

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 2912 by replacing
3everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
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

 

 

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1under this Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June
230 following one full year of the license being issued.
3    The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
4State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
5rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for
6licenses and endorsements under this Section.
7        (1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i)
8    have successfully completed an approved educator
9    preparation program and are recommended for licensure by
10    the Illinois institution offering the educator preparation
11    program, (ii) have successfully completed the required
12    testing under Section 21B-30 of this Code, (iii) have
13    successfully completed coursework on the psychology of,
14    the identification of, and the methods of instruction for
15    the exceptional child, including without limitation
16    children with learning disabilities, (iv) have
17    successfully completed coursework in methods of reading
18    and reading in the content area, and (v) have met all other
19    criteria established by rule of the State Board of
20    Education shall be issued a Professional Educator License.
21    All Professional Educator Licenses are valid until June 30
22    immediately following 5 years of the license being issued.
23    The Professional Educator License shall be endorsed with
24    specific areas and grade levels in which the individual is
25    eligible to practice.
26        Individuals can receive subsequent endorsements on the

 

 

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1    Professional Educator License. Subsequent endorsements
2    shall require a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework
3    in the endorsement area, unless otherwise specified by
4    rule, and passage of the applicable content area test.
5        (2) Educator License with Stipulations. An Educator
6    License with Stipulations shall be issued an endorsement
7    that limits the license holder to one particular position
8    or does not require completion of an approved educator
9    program or both.
10        An individual with an Educator License with
11    Stipulations must not be employed by a school district or
12    any other entity to replace any presently employed teacher
13    who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.
14        An Educator License with Stipulations may be issued
15    with the following endorsements:
16            (A) Provisional educator. A provisional educator
17        endorsement in a specific content area or areas on an
18        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
19        applicant who holds an educator license with a minimum
20        of 15 semester hours in content coursework from another
21        state, U.S. territory, or foreign country and who, at
22        the time of applying for an Illinois license, does not
23        meet the minimum requirements under Section 21B-35 of
24        this Code, but does, at a minimum, meet the following
25        requirements:
26                (i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a

 

 

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1            bachelor's degree, unless a master's degree is
2            required for the endorsement, from a regionally
3            accredited college or university or, for
4            individuals educated in a country other than the
5            United States, the equivalent of a minimum of a
6            bachelor's degree issued in the United States,
7            unless a master's degree is required for the
8            endorsement.
9                (ii) Has passed or passes a test of basic
10            skills and content area test, as required by
11            Section 21B-30 of this Code, prior to or within one
12            year after issuance of the provisional educator
13            endorsement on the Educator License with
14            Stipulations. If an individual who holds an
15            Educator License with Stipulations endorsed for
16            provisional educator has not passed a test of basic
17            skills and applicable content area test or tests
18            within one year after issuance of the endorsement,
19            the endorsement shall expire on June 30 following
20            one full year of the endorsement being issued. If
21            such an individual has passed the test of basic
22            skills and applicable content area test or tests
23            either prior to issuance of the endorsement or
24            within one year after issuance of the endorsement,
25            the endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately
26            following 2 years of the license being issued,

 

 

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1            during which time any and all coursework
2            deficiencies must be met and any and all additional
3            testing deficiencies must be met.
4            In addition, a provisional educator endorsement
5        for principals or superintendents may be issued if the
6        individual meets the requirements set forth in
7        subdivisions (1) and (3) of subsection (b-5) of Section
8        21B-35 of this Code. Applicants who have not been
9        entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation
10        program at an Illinois institution of higher education
11        shall not receive a provisional educator endorsement
12        if the person completed an alternative licensure
13        program in another state, unless the program has been
14        determined to be equivalent to Illinois program
15        requirements.
16            Notwithstanding any other requirements of this
17        Section, a service member or spouse of a service member
18        may obtain a Professional Educator License with
19        Stipulations, and a provisional educator endorsement
20        in a specific content area or areas, if he or she holds
21        a valid teaching certificate or license in good
22        standing from another state, meets the qualifications
23        of educators outlined in Section 21B-15 of this Code,
24        and has not engaged in any misconduct that would
25        prohibit an individual from obtaining a license
26        pursuant to Illinois law, including without limitation

 

 

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1        any administrative rules of the State Board of
2        Education.
3            In this Section, "service member" means any person
4        who, at the time of application under this Section, is
5        an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces
6        or any reserve component of the United States Armed
7        Forces or the National Guard of any state,
8        commonwealth, or territory of the United States or the
9        District of Columbia.
10            A provisional educator endorsement is valid until
11        June 30 immediately following 2 years of the license
12        being issued, provided that any remaining testing and
13        coursework deficiencies are met as set forth in this
14        Section. Failure to satisfy all stated deficiencies
15        shall mean the individual, including any service
16        member or spouse who has obtained a Professional
17        Educator License with Stipulations and a provisional
18        educator endorsement in a specific content area or
19        areas, is ineligible to receive a Professional
20        Educator License at that time. An Educator License with
21        Stipulations endorsed for provisional educator shall
22        not be renewed for individuals who hold an Educator
23        License with Stipulations and who have held a position
24        in a public school or non-public school recognized by
25        the State Board of Education.
26            (B) Alternative provisional educator. An

 

 

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

 

 

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1                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
2            college or university with a minimum of a master's
3            degree in a management field other than education.
4                (ii) Been employed for a period of at least 5
5            years in a management level position in a field
6            other than education.
7                (iii) Successfully completed the first phase
8            of an alternative route to superintendent
9            endorsement program, as provided in Section 21B-55
10            of this Code.
11                (iv) Passed a test of basic skills and content
12            area tests required under Section 21B-30 of this
13            Code.
14            The endorsement may be registered for 2 fiscal
15        years in order to complete one full year of serving as
16        a superintendent or assistant superintendent.
17            (D) Resident teacher endorsement. A resident
18        teacher endorsement on an Educator License with
19        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who, at the
20        time of applying for the endorsement, has done all of
21        the following:
22                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
23            institution of higher education with a minimum of a
24            bachelor's degree.
25                (ii) Enrolled in an approved Illinois educator
26            preparation program.

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
2        on or after January 1, 2015, the license may be renewed
3        one time if the individual passes a test of basic
4        skills or test of work proficiency, as required under
5        Section 21B-30 of this Code, and has completed a
6        minimum of 20 semester hours from a regionally
7        accredited institution.
8            A part-time provisional career and technical
9        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
10        Stipulations may be issued for teaching no more than 2
11        courses of study for grades 6 through 12. The part-time
12        provisional career and technical educator endorsement
13        on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
14        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
15        endorsement being issued and may be renewed for 5 years
16        if the individual makes application for renewal.
17            (G) Transitional bilingual educator. A
18        transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an
19        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for
20        the purpose of providing instruction in accordance
21        with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who
22        provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all
23        of the following requirements:
24                (i) Possesses adequate speaking, reading, and
25            writing ability in the language other than English
26            in which transitional bilingual education is

 

 

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1            offered.
2                (ii) Has the ability to successfully
3            communicate in English.
4                (iii) Either possessed, within 5 years
5            previous to his or her applying for a transitional
6            bilingual educator endorsement, a valid and
7            comparable teaching certificate or comparable
8            authorization issued by a foreign country or holds
9            a degree from an institution of higher learning in
10            a foreign country that the State Educator
11            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
12            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
13            regionally accredited institution of higher
14            learning in the United States.
15            A transitional bilingual educator endorsement
16        shall be valid for prekindergarten through grade 12, is
17        valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
18        the endorsement being issued, and shall not be renewed.
19            Persons holding a transitional bilingual educator
20        endorsement shall not be employed to replace any
21        presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be
22        replaced for any reason.
23            (H) Language endorsement. In an effort to
24        alleviate the shortage of teachers speaking a language
25        other than English in the public schools, an individual
26        who holds an Educator License with Stipulations may

 

 

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1        also apply for a language endorsement, provided that
2        the applicant provides satisfactory evidence that he
3        or she meets all of the following requirements:
4                (i) Holds a transitional bilingual
5            endorsement.
6                (ii) Has demonstrated proficiency in the
7            language for which the endorsement is to be issued
8            by passing the applicable language content test
9            required by the State Board of Education.
10                (iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from
11            a regionally accredited institution of higher
12            education or, for individuals educated in a
13            country other than the United States, holds a
14            degree from an institution of higher learning in a
15            foreign country that the State Educator
16            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
17            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
18            regionally accredited institution of higher
19            learning in the United States.
20                (iv) Has passed a test of basic skills, as
21            required under Section 21B-30 of this Code.
22            A language endorsement on an Educator License with
23        Stipulations is valid for prekindergarten through
24        grade 12 for the same validity period as the
25        individual's transitional bilingual educator
26        endorsement on the Educator License with Stipulations

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1        practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester
2        hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the
3        State Board of Education for the preparation of school
4        business administrators and by passage of the
5        applicable State tests, including a test of basic
6        skills and applicable content area test.
7            The chief school business official endorsement may
8        also be affixed to the Educator License with
9        Stipulations of any holder who qualifies by having a
10        master's degree in business administration, finance,
11        or accounting and who completes an additional 6
12        semester hours of internship in school business
13        management from a regionally accredited institution of
14        higher education and passes the applicable State
15        tests, including a test of basic skills and applicable
16        content area test. This endorsement shall be required
17        for any individual employed as a chief school business
18        official.
19            The chief school business official endorsement on
20        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
21        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
22        endorsement being issued and may be renewed if the
23        license holder completes renewal requirements as
24        required for individuals who hold a Professional
25        Educator License endorsed for chief school business
26        official under Section 21B-45 of this Code and such

 

 

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

 

 

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1        (3) Substitute Teaching License. A Substitute Teaching
2    License may be issued to qualified applicants for
3    substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools,
4    prekindergarten through grade 12. Substitute Teaching
5    Licenses are not eligible for endorsements. Applicants for
6    a Substitute Teaching License must hold a bachelor's degree
7    or higher from a regionally accredited institution of
8    higher education.
9        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years and
10    may be renewed if the individual has passed a test of basic
11    skills, as authorized under Section 21B-30 of this Code. An
12    individual who has passed a test of basic skills for the
13    first licensure renewal is not required to retake the test
14    again for further renewals.
15        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute
16    teaching in every county of this State. If an individual
17    has had his or her Professional Educator License or
18    Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked or
19    has not met the renewal requirements for licensure, then
20    that individual is not eligible to obtain a Substitute
21    Teaching License.
22        A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a
23    licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing
24    board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under
25    contract because of an emergency situation, then a district
26    may employ a substitute teacher for no longer than 30

 

 

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1    calendar days per each vacant position in the district if
2    the district notifies the appropriate regional office of
3    education within 5 business days after the employment of
4    the substitute teacher in the emergency situation. An
5    emergency situation is one in which an unforeseen vacancy
6    has occurred and (i) a teacher is unable to fulfill his or
7    her contractual duties or (ii) teacher capacity needs of
8    the district exceed previous indications, and the district
9    is actively engaged in advertising to hire a fully licensed
10    teacher for the vacant position.
11        There is no limit on the number of days that a
12    substitute teacher may teach in a single school district,
13    provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer
14    than 90 school days for any one licensed teacher under
15    contract in the same school year. A substitute teacher who
16    holds a Professional Educator License or Educator License
17    with Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school
18    days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
19    same school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on
20    the number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do
21    not apply to any school district operating under Article 34
22    of this Code.
23(Source: P.A. 98-28, eff. 7-1-13; 98-751, eff. 1-1-15; 99-35,
24eff. 1-1-16; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-143, eff. 7-27-15; revised
2510-14-15.)
 

 

 

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1    (105 ILCS 5/21B-25)
2    Sec. 21B-25. Endorsement on licenses. All licenses issued
3under paragraph (1) of Section 21B-20 of this Code shall be
4specifically endorsed by the State Board of Education for each
5content area, school support area, and administrative area for
6which the holder of the license is qualified. Recognized
7institutions approved to offer educator preparation programs
8shall be trained to add endorsements to licenses issued to
9applicants who meet all of the requirements for the endorsement
10or endorsements, including passing any required tests. The
11State Superintendent of Education shall randomly audit
12institutions to ensure that all rules and standards are being
13followed for entitlement or when endorsements are being
14recommended.
15        (1) The State Board of Education, in consultation with
16    the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall
17    establish, by rule, the grade level and subject area
18    endorsements to be added to the Professional Educator
19    License. These rules shall outline the requirements for
20    obtaining each endorsement.
21        (2) In addition to any and all grade level and content
22    area endorsements developed by rule, the State Board of
23    Education, in consultation with the State Educator
24    Preparation and Licensure Board, shall develop the
25    requirements for the following endorsements:
26            (A) General administrative endorsement. A general

 

 

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1        administrative endorsement shall be added to a
2        Professional Educator License, provided that an
3        approved program has been completed. An individual
4        holding a general administrative endorsement may work
5        only as a principal or assistant principal or in a
6        related or similar position, as determined by the State
7        Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the
8        State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
9            Beginning on September 1, 2014, the general
10        administrative endorsement shall no longer be issued
11        except to individuals who completed all coursework
12        requirements for the receipt of the general
13        administrative endorsement by September 1, 2014, who
14        have completed all testing requirements by June 30,
15        2016, and who apply for the endorsement on or before
16        June 30, 2016. Individuals who hold a valid and
17        registered administrative certificate with a general
18        administrative endorsement issued under Section 21-7.1
19        of this Code or a Professional Educator License with a
20        general administrative endorsement issued prior to
21        September 1, 2014 and who have served for at least one
22        full year during the 5 years prior in a position
23        requiring a general administrative endorsement shall,
24        upon request to the State Board of Education and
25        through July 1, 2015, have their respective general
26        administrative endorsement converted to a principal

 

 

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1        endorsement on the Professional Educator License.
2        Candidates shall not be admitted to an approved general
3        administrative preparation program after September 1,
4        2012.
5            All other individuals holding a valid and
6        registered administrative certificate with a general
7        administrative endorsement issued pursuant to Section
8        21-7.1 of this Code or a general administrative
9        endorsement on a Professional Educator License issued
10        prior to September 1, 2014 shall have the general
11        administrative endorsement converted to a principal
12        endorsement on a Professional Educator License upon
13        request to the State Board of Education and by
14        completing one of the following pathways:
15                (i) Passage of the State principal assessment
16            developed by the State Board of Education.
17                (ii) Through July 1, 2019, completion of an
18            Illinois Educators' Academy course designated by
19            the State Superintendent of Education.
20                (iii) Completion of a principal preparation
21            program established and approved pursuant to
22            Section 21B-60 of this Code and applicable rules.
23            Individuals who do not choose to convert the
24        general administrative endorsement on the
25        administrative certificate issued pursuant to Section
26        21-7.1 of this Code or on the Professional Educator

 

 

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1        License shall continue to be able to serve in any
2        position previously allowed under paragraph (2) of
3        subsection (e) of Section 21-7.1 of this Code.
4            The general administrative endorsement on the
5        Professional Educator License is available only to
6        individuals who, prior to September 1, 2014, had such
7        an endorsement on the administrative certificate
8        issued pursuant to Section 21-7.1 of this Code or who
9        already have a Professional Educator License and have
10        completed a general administrative program and who do
11        not choose to convert the general administrative
12        endorsement to a principal endorsement pursuant to the
13        options in this Section.
14            (B) Principal endorsement. A principal endorsement
15        shall be affixed to a Professional Educator License of
16        any holder who qualifies by having all of the
17        following:
18                (i) Successful completion of a principal
19            preparation program approved in accordance with
20            Section 21B-60 of this Code and any applicable
21            rules.
22                (ii) At least 4 total years of teaching or,
23            until June 30, 2019, working in the capacity of
24            school support personnel in an Illinois public
25            school or nonpublic school recognized by the State
26            Board of Education or in an out-of-state public

 

 

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1            school or out-of-state nonpublic school meeting
2            out-of-state recognition standards comparable to
3            those approved by the State Superintendent of
4            Education; however, the State Board of Education,
5            in consultation with the State Educator
6            Preparation and Licensure Board, shall allow, by
7            rules, for fewer than 4 years of experience based
8            on meeting standards set forth in such rules,
9            including without limitation a review of
10            performance evaluations or other evidence of
11            demonstrated qualifications.
12                (iii) A master's degree or higher from a
13            regionally accredited college or university.
14            (C) Chief school business official endorsement. A
15        chief school business official endorsement shall be
16        affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
17        holder who qualifies by having a master's degree or
18        higher, 2 years of full-time administrative experience
19        in school business management or 2 years of
20        university-approved practical experience, and a
21        minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate credit in a
22        program approved by the State Board of Education for
23        the preparation of school business administrators and
24        by passage of the applicable State tests. The chief
25        school business official endorsement may also be
26        affixed to the Professional Educator License of any

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 25 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1        holder who qualifies by having a master's degree in
2        business administration, finance, or accounting and
3        who completes an additional 6 semester hours of
4        internship in school business management from a
5        regionally accredited institution of higher education
6        and passes the applicable State tests. This
7        endorsement shall be required for any individual
8        employed as a chief school business official.
9            (D) Superintendent endorsement. A superintendent
10        endorsement shall be affixed to the Professional
11        Educator License of any holder who has completed a
12        program approved by the State Board of Education for
13        the preparation of superintendents of schools, has had
14        at least 2 years of experience employed full-time in a
15        general administrative position or as a full-time
16        principal, director of special education, or chief
17        school business official in the public schools or in a
18        State-recognized nonpublic school in which the chief
19        administrator is required to have the licensure
20        necessary to be a principal in a public school in this
21        State and where a majority of the teachers are required
22        to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a
23        public school in this State, and has passed the
24        required State tests; or of any holder who has
25        completed a program that is not an Illinois-approved
26        educator preparation program at an Illinois

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 26 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1        institution of higher education and that has
2        recognition standards comparable to those approved by
3        the State Superintendent of Education and holds the
4        general administrative, principal, or chief school
5        business official endorsement and who has had 2 years
6        of experience as a principal, director of special
7        education, or chief school business official while
8        holding a valid educator license or certificate
9        comparable in validity and educational and experience
10        requirements and has passed the appropriate State
11        tests, as provided in Section 21B-30 of this Code. The
12        superintendent endorsement shall allow individuals to
13        serve only as a superintendent or assistant
14        superintendent.
15            (E) Teacher leader endorsement. It shall be the
16        policy of this State to improve the quality of
17        instructional leaders by providing a career pathway
18        for teachers interested in serving in leadership
19        roles, but not as principals. The State Board of
20        Education, in consultation with the State Educator
21        Preparation and Licensure Board, may issue a teacher
22        leader endorsement under this subdivision (E). Persons
23        who meet and successfully complete the requirements of
24        the endorsement shall be issued a teacher leader
25        endorsement on the Professional Educator License for
26        serving in schools in this State. Teacher leaders may

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 27 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1        qualify to serve in such positions as department
2        chairs, coaches, mentors, curriculum and instruction
3        leaders, or other leadership positions as defined by
4        the district. The endorsement shall be available to
5        those teachers who (i) hold a Professional Educator
6        License, (ii) hold a master's degree or higher from a
7        regionally accredited institution, (iii) have
8        completed a program of study that has been approved by
9        the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
10        State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and
11        (iv) have successfully demonstrated competencies as
12        defined by rule. have taken coursework in all of the
13        following areas:
14                (I) Leadership.
15                (II) Designing professional development to
16            meet teaching and learning needs.
17                (III) Building school culture that focuses on
18            student learning.
19                (IV) Using assessments to improve student
20            learning and foster school improvement.
21                (V) Building collaboration with teachers and
22            stakeholders.
23            A teacher who meets the requirements set forth in
24        this Section and holds a teacher leader endorsement may
25        evaluate teachers pursuant to Section 24A-5 of this
26        Code, provided that the individual has completed the

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 28 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1        evaluation component required by Section 24A-3 of this
2        Code and a teacher leader is allowed to evaluate
3        personnel under the respective school district's
4        collective bargaining agreement.
5            The State Board of Education, in consultation with
6        the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board,
7        may adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish
8        and implement the teacher leader endorsement program
9        and to specify the positions for which this endorsement
10        shall be required.
11            (F) Special education endorsement. A special
12        education endorsement in one or more areas shall be
13        affixed to a Professional Educator License for any
14        individual that meets those requirements established
15        by the State Board of Education in rules. Special
16        education endorsement areas shall include without
17        limitation the following:
18                (i) Learning Behavior Specialist I;
19                (ii) Learning Behavior Specialist II;
20                (iii) Speech Language Pathologist;
21                (iv) Blind or Visually Impaired;
22                (v) Deaf-Hard of Hearing; and
23                (vi) Early Childhood Special Education.
24        Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the contrary,
25        the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
26        State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 29 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1        add additional areas of special education by rule.
2            (G) School support personnel endorsement. School
3        support personnel endorsement areas shall include, but
4        are not limited to, school counselor, marriage and
5        family therapist, school psychologist, school speech
6        and language pathologist, school nurse, and school
7        social worker. This endorsement is for individuals who
8        are not teachers or administrators, but still require
9        licensure to work in an instructional support position
10        in a public or State-operated elementary school,
11        secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement
12        with a governing body or board of control or a charter
13        school operating in compliance with the Charter
14        Schools Law. The school support personnel endorsement
15        shall be affixed to the Professional Educator License
16        and shall meet all of the requirements established in
17        any rules adopted to implement this subdivision (G).
18        The holder of such an endorsement is entitled to all of
19        the rights and privileges granted holders of any other
20        Professional Educator License, including teacher
21        benefits, compensation, and working conditions.
22            Beginning on January 1, 2014 and ending on April
23        30, 2014, a person holding a Professional Educator
24        License with a school speech and language pathologist
25        (teaching) endorsement may exchange his or her school
26        speech and language pathologist (teaching) endorsement

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 30 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1        for a school speech and language pathologist
2        (non-teaching) endorsement through application to the
3        State Board of Education. There shall be no cost for
4        this exchange.
5(Source: P.A. 98-413, eff. 8-16-13; 98-610, eff. 12-27-13;
698-872, eff. 8-11-14; 98-917, eff. 8-15-14; 98-1147, eff.
712-31-14; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 
8    (105 ILCS 5/21B-30)
9    Sec. 21B-30. Educator testing.
10    (a) This Section applies beginning on July 1, 2012.
11    (b) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
12State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall design
13and implement a system of examinations, which shall be required
14prior to the issuance of educator licenses. These examinations
15and indicators must be based on national and State professional
16teaching standards, as determined by the State Board of
17Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
18and Licensure Board. The State Board of Education may adopt
19such rules as may be necessary to implement and administer this
20Section. No score on a test required under this Section, other
21than a test of basic skills, shall be more than 10 years old at
22the time that an individual makes application for an educator
23license or endorsement.
24    (c) Applicants seeking a Professional Educator License or
25an Educator License with Stipulations shall be required to pass

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 31 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1a test of basic skills before the license is issued, unless the
2endorsement the individual is seeking does not require passage
3of the test. All applicants completing Illinois-approved,
4teacher education or school service personnel preparation
5programs shall be required to pass the State Board of
6Education's recognized test of basic skills prior to starting
7their student teaching or starting the final semester of their
8internship, unless required earlier at the discretion of the
9recognized, Illinois institution in which they are completing
10their approved program. An individual who passes a test of
11basic skills does not need to do so again for subsequent
12endorsements or other educator licenses.
13    (d) All applicants seeking a State license shall be
14required to pass a test of content area knowledge for each area
15of endorsement for which there is an applicable test. There
16shall be no exception to this requirement. No candidate shall
17be allowed to student teach or serve as the teacher of record
18until he or she has passed the applicable content area test.
19    (e) (Blank). All applicants seeking a State license
20endorsed in a teaching field shall pass the assessment of
21professional teaching (APT). Passage of the APT is required for
22completion of an approved Illinois educator preparation
23program.
24    (f) Except as otherwise provided in this Article, beginning
25Beginning on September 1, 2015, all candidates completing
26teacher preparation programs in this State and all candidates

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 32 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1subject to Section 21B-35 of this Code are required to pass an
2evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness approved by
3the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
4Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. All recognized
5institutions offering approved teacher preparation programs
6must begin phasing in the approved teacher performance
7assessment no later than July 1, 2013.
8    (g) Tests of basic skills and content area knowledge and
9the assessment of professional teaching shall be the tests that
10from time to time are designated by the State Board of
11Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
12and Licensure Board, and may be tests prepared by an
13educational testing organization or tests designed by the State
14Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator
15Preparation and Licensure Board. The areas to be covered by a
16test of basic skills shall include reading, language arts, and
17mathematics. The test of content area knowledge shall assess
18content knowledge in a specific subject field. The tests must
19be designed to be racially neutral to ensure that no person
20taking the tests is discriminated against on the basis of race,
21color, national origin, or other factors unrelated to the
22person's ability to perform as a licensed employee. The score
23required to pass the tests shall be fixed by the State Board of
24Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
25and Licensure Board. The tests shall be administered not fewer
26than 3 times a year at such time and place as may be designated

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 33 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
2Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
3    The State Board shall implement a test or tests to assess
4the speaking, reading, writing, and grammar skills of
5applicants for an endorsement or a license issued under
6subdivision (G) of paragraph (2) of Section 21B-20 of this Code
7in the English language and in the language of the transitional
8bilingual education program requested by the applicant.
9    (h) Except as provided in Section 34-6 of this Code, the
10provisions of this Section shall apply equally in any school
11district subject to Article 34 of this Code.
12    (i) The rules developed to implement and enforce the
13testing requirements under this Section shall include without
14limitation provisions governing test selection, test
15validation and determination of a passing score,
16administration of the tests, frequency of administration,
17applicant fees, frequency of applicants taking the tests, the
18years for which a score is valid, and appropriate special
19accommodations. The State Board of Education shall develop such
20rules as may be needed to ensure uniformity from year to year
21in the level of difficulty for each form of an assessment.
22(Source: P.A. 98-361, eff. 1-1-14; 98-581, eff. 8-27-13;
2398-756, eff. 7-16-14; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 
24    (105 ILCS 5/21B-35)
25    Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 34 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1other states or countries.
2    (a) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
3Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
4institution of higher education applying for a Professional
5Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school support
6personnel area must meet all of the following requirements:
7        (1) Hold a comparable and valid educator license or
8    certificate with similar grade level and subject matter
9    credentials from another state. The State Board of
10    Education shall have the authority to determine what
11    constitutes similar grade level and subject matter
12    credentials from another state. A comparable educator
13    license or certificate is one that demonstrates that the
14    license or certificate holder meets similar requirements
15    as candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
16    preparation program in teaching or school support
17    personnel areas concerning coursework aligned to standards
18    concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
19    child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
20    and instructional strategies for English learners. An
21    applicant who holds a comparable and valid educator license
22    or certificate from another state must submit verification
23    to the State Board of Education that the applicant has
24    completed coursework concerning methods of instruction of
25    the exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in
26    the content area, and instructional strategies for English

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 35 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    learners. Have completed a comparable state-approved
2    education program, as defined by the State Superintendent
3    of Education.
4        (2) Have a degree from a regionally accredited
5    institution of higher education and the degreed major or a
6    constructed major must directly correspond to the license
7    or endorsement sought.
8        (3) (Blank). Teachers and school support personnel who
9    have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
10    preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher
11    education shall meet the same requirements concerning
12    courses in the methods of instruction of the exceptional
13    child as candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved
14    educator preparation program in teaching and school
15    support personnel areas, as defined by rules.
16        (4) (Blank). Teachers and school support personnel who
17    have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
18    preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher
19    education shall meet the same requirements concerning
20    coursework in methods of reading and reading in the content
21    area as candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved
22    educator preparation program in teaching and school
23    support personnel areas, as defined by rules.
24        (5) (Blank). Teachers and school support personnel who
25    have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
26    preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 36 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    education shall meet the same requirements concerning
2    courses in instructional strategies for English language
3    learners as candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved
4    educator preparation program in teaching and school
5    support personnel areas, as defined by rules.
6        (6) Have successfully met all Illinois examination
7    requirements. Applicants who have successfully completed a
8    test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
9    initial licensure in another state shall not be required to
10    complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who have
11    successfully completed a test of content, as defined by
12    rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state
13    shall not be required to complete a test of content.
14    Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have
15    successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of
16    teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of
17    initial licensure in another state shall not be required to
18    complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher
19    effectiveness.
20        (7) For applicants for a teaching endorsement, have
21    completed student teaching or an equivalent experience or,
22    for applicants for a school service personnel endorsement,
23    have completed an internship or an equivalent experience.
24    Teachers and school support personnel who have not been
25entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program
26at an Illinois institution of higher education must submit

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 37 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

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

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 38 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    of instruction of the exceptional child.
2        (5) (Blank). Have completed coursework in methods of
3    reading and reading in the content area.
4        (6) (Blank). Have completed coursework in
5    instructional strategies for English learners.
6        (7) Have successfully met all State licensure
7    examination requirements. Applicants who have successfully
8    completed a test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at
9    the time of initial licensure in another country shall not
10    be required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants
11    who have successfully completed a test of content, as
12    defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in
13    another country shall not be required to complete a test of
14    content. Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have
15    successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of
16    teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of
17    initial licensure in another country shall not be required
18    to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher
19    effectiveness.
20        (8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent
21    experience.
22    Applicants trained in another country must submit
23verification to the State Board of Education of having
24completed coursework as required under items (4), (5), and (6)
25of this subsection (b) prior to issuance of a Professional
26Educator License. Individuals who are not able to verify

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 39 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

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

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 40 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    have successfully completed a test of content, as defined
2    by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state
3    or country shall not be required to complete a test of
4    content.
5        (3) (Blank). Have received a certificate or license
6    endorsed in a teaching field.
7    A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a
8superintendent or principal may be affixed to an Educator
9License with Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of
10this Code.
11    (b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
12Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
13institution of higher education applying for a Professional
14Educator License endorsed for chief school business official
15must meet all of the following requirements:
16        (1) Have completed a master's degree in school business
17    management, finance, or accounting.
18        (2) Have successfully completed an internship in
19    school business management or have 2 years of experience as
20    a school business administrator.
21        (3) Have successfully met all State examination
22    requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
23    Applicants who have successfully completed a test of
24    content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial
25    licensure in another state or country shall not be required
26    to complete a test of content.

 

 

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1        (4) Have successfully completed modules in reading
2    methods, special education, and English Learners.
3    A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a chief
4school business official may be affixed to an Educator License
5with Stipulations.
6    (c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
7State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
8rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.
9(Source: P.A. 98-581, eff. 8-27-13; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 
10    (105 ILCS 5/21B-40)
11    Sec. 21B-40. Fees.
12    (a) Beginning with the start of the new licensure system
13established pursuant to this Article, the following fees shall
14be charged to applicants:
15        (1) A $75 application fee for a Professional Educator
16    License or an Educator License with Stipulations and for
17    individuals seeking a Substitute Teaching License.
18    However, beginning on January 1, 2015, the application fee
19    for a Professional Educator License and , Educator License
20    with Stipulations, or Substitute Teaching License shall be
21    $100.
22        (1.5) A $50 application fee for a Substitute Teaching
23    License.
24        (2) A $150 application fee for individuals who have not
25    been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 42 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    program at an Illinois institution of higher education and
2    are seeking any of the licenses set forth in subdivision
3    (1) of this subsection (a).
4        (3) A $50 application fee for each endorsement or
5    approval an individual holding a license wishes to add to
6    that license.
7        (4) A $10 per year registration fee for the course of
8    the validity cycle to register the license, which shall be
9    paid to the regional office of education having supervision
10    and control over the school in which the individual holding
11    the license is to be employed. If the individual holding
12    the license is not yet employed, then the license may be
13    registered in any county in this State. The registration
14    fee must be paid in its entirety the first time the
15    individual registers the license for a particular validity
16    period in a single region. No additional fee may be charged
17    for that validity period should the individual
18    subsequently register the license in additional regions.
19    An individual must register the license (i) immediately
20    after initial issuance of the license and (ii) at the
21    beginning of each renewal cycle if the individual has
22    satisfied the renewal requirements required under this
23    Code.
24    (b) All application fees paid pursuant to subdivisions (1)
25through (3) of subsection (a) of this Section shall be
26deposited into the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund and

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 43 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board of
2Education to provide the technology and human resources
3necessary for the timely and efficient processing of
4applications and for the renewal of licenses. Funds available
5from the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund may also be
6used by the State Board of Education to support the recruitment
7and retention of educators, to support educator preparation
8programs as they seek national accreditation, and to provide
9professional development aligned with the requirements set
10forth in Section 21B-45 of this Code. A majority of the funds
11in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund must be dedicated
12to the timely and efficient processing of applications and for
13the renewal of licenses. The Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
14Fund is not subject to administrative charge transfers,
15authorized under Section 8h of the State Finance Act, from the
16Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund into any other fund of
17this State, and moneys in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
18Fund shall not revert back to the General Revenue Fund at any
19time.
20    The regional superintendent of schools shall deposit the
21registration fees paid pursuant to subdivision (4) of
22subsection (a) of this Section into the institute fund
23established pursuant to Section 3-11 of this Code.
24    (c) The State Board of Education and each regional office
25of education are authorized to charge a service or convenience
26fee for the use of credit cards for the payment of license

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 44 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1fees. This service or convenience fee shall not exceed the
2amount required by the credit card processing company or vendor
3that has entered into a contract with the State Board or
4regional office of education for this purpose, and the fee must
5be paid to that company or vendor.
6    (d) If, at the time a certificate issued under Article 21
7of this Code is exchanged for a license issued under this
8Article, a person has paid registration fees for any years of
9the validity period of the certificate and these years have not
10expired when the certificate is exchanged, then those fees must
11be applied to the registration of the new license.
12(Source: P.A. 98-610, eff. 12-27-13; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 
13    (105 ILCS 5/21B-45)
14    Sec. 21B-45. Professional Educator License renewal.
15    (a) Individuals holding a Professional Educator License
16are required to complete the licensure renewal requirements as
17specified in this Section, unless otherwise provided in this
18Code.
19    Individuals holding a Professional Educator License shall
20meet the renewal requirements set forth in this Section, unless
21otherwise provided in this Code. If an individual holds a
22license endorsed in more than one area that has different
23renewal requirements, that individual shall follow the renewal
24requirements for the position for which he or she spends the
25majority of his or her time working.

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 45 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    (b) All Professional Educator Licenses not renewed as
2provided in this Section shall lapse on September 1 of that
3year. Lapsed licenses may be immediately reinstated upon (i)
4payment by the applicant of a $500 penalty to the State Board
5of Education or (ii) the demonstration of proficiency by
6completing 9 semester hours of coursework from a regionally
7accredited institution of higher education in the content area
8that most aligns with one or more of the educator's endorsement
9areas. Any and all back fees, including without limitation
10registration fees owed from the time of expiration of the
11license until the date of reinstatement, shall be paid and kept
12in accordance with the provisions in Article 3 of this Code
13concerning an institute fund and the provisions in Article 21B
14of this Code concerning fees and requirements for registration.
15Licenses not registered in accordance with Section 21B-40 of
16this Code shall lapse after a period of 6 months from the
17expiration of the last year of registration. An unregistered
18license is invalid after September 1 for employment and
19performance of services in an Illinois public or State-operated
20school or cooperative and in a charter school. Any license or
21endorsement may be voluntarily surrendered by the license
22holder. A voluntarily surrendered license, except a substitute
23teaching license issued under Section 21B-20 of this Code,
24shall be treated as a revoked license. An Educator License with
25Stipulations with only a paraprofessional endorsement does not
26lapse.

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 46 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    (c) From July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, in order to
2satisfy the requirements for licensure renewal provided for in
3this Section, each professional educator licensee with an
4administrative endorsement who is working in a position
5requiring such endorsement shall complete one Illinois
6Administrators' Academy course, as described in Article 2 of
7this Code, per fiscal year.
8    (d) Beginning July 1, 2014, in order to satisfy the
9requirements for licensure renewal provided for in this
10Section, each professional educator licensee may create a
11professional development plan each year. The plan shall address
12one or more of the endorsements that are required of his or her
13educator position if the licensee is employed and performing
14services in an Illinois public or State-operated school or
15cooperative. If the licensee is employed in a charter school,
16the plan shall address that endorsement or those endorsements
17most closely related to his or her educator position. Licensees
18employed and performing services in any other Illinois schools
19may participate in the renewal requirements by adhering to the
20same process.
21    Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the
22licensee's professional development activities shall align
23with one or more of the following criteria:
24        (1) activities are of a type that engage participants
25    over a sustained period of time allowing for analysis,
26    discovery, and application as they relate to student

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 47 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    learning, social or emotional achievement, or well-being;
2        (2) professional development aligns to the licensee's
3    performance;
4        (3) outcomes for the activities must relate to student
5    growth or district improvement;
6        (4) activities align to State-approved standards; and
7        (5) higher education coursework.
8    (e) For each renewal cycle, each professional educator
9licensee shall engage in professional development activities.
10Prior to renewal, the licensee shall enter electronically into
11the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) the name,
12date, and location of the activity, the number of professional
13development hours, and the provider's name. The following
14provisions shall apply concerning professional development
15activities:
16        (1) Each licensee shall complete a total of 120 hours
17    of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in
18    order to renew the license, except as otherwise provided in
19    this Section.
20        (2) Beginning with his or her first full 5-year cycle,
21    any licensee with an administrative endorsement who is not
22    working in a position requiring such endorsement shall
23    complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course, as
24    described in Article 2 of this Code, in each 5-year renewal
25    cycle in which the administrative endorsement was held for
26    at least one year. The Illinois Administrators' Academy

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 48 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    course may count toward the total of 120 hours per 5-year
2    cycle.
3        (3) Any licensee with an administrative endorsement
4    who is working in a position requiring such endorsement or
5    an individual with a Teacher Leader endorsement serving in
6    an administrative capacity at least 50% of the day shall
7    complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course, as
8    described in Article 2 of this Code, each fiscal year in
9    addition to 100 hours of professional development per
10    5-year renewal cycle in accordance with this Code.
11        (4) Any licensee holding a current National Board for
12    Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) master teacher
13    designation shall complete a total of 60 hours of
14    professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in order
15    to renew the license.
16        (5) Licensees working in a position that does not
17    require educator licensure or working in a position for
18    less than 50% for any particular year are considered to be
19    exempt and shall be required to pay only the registration
20    fee in order to renew and maintain the validity of the
21    license.
22        (6) Licensees who are retired and qualify for benefits
23    from a State retirement system shall notify the State Board
24    of Education using ELIS, and the license shall be
25    maintained in retired status. For any renewal cycle in
26    which a licensee retires during the renewal cycle, the

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 49 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

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

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 50 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    development hours were required, but not fulfilled, the
2    licensee shall complete any missed hours to total the
3    minimum professional development hours required in this
4    Section prior to September 1 of that year. For any fiscal
5    year or renewal cycle in which an Illinois Administrators'
6    Academy course was required but not completed, the licensee
7    shall complete any missed Illinois Administrators' Academy
8    courses prior to September 1 of that year. The licensee may
9    complete all deficient hours and Illinois Administrators'
10    Academy courses while continuing to work in a position that
11    requires that license until September 1 of that year.
12        (8) Any licensee who has not fulfilled the professional
13    development renewal requirements set forth in this Section
14    at the end of any 5-year renewal cycle is ineligible to
15    register his or her license and may submit an appeal to the
16    State Superintendent of Education for reinstatement of the
17    license.
18        (9) If professional development opportunities were
19    unavailable to a licensee, proof that opportunities were
20    unavailable and request for an extension of time beyond
21    August 31 to complete the renewal requirements may be
22    submitted from April 1 through June 30 of that year to the
23    State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. If an
24    extension is approved, the license shall remain valid
25    during the extension period.
26        (10) Individuals who hold exempt licenses prior to

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 51 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    December 27, 2013 (the effective date of Public Act 98-610)
2    this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly shall
3    commence the annual renewal process with the first
4    scheduled registration due after December 27, 2013 (the
5    effective date of Public Act 98-610) this amendatory Act of
6    the 98th General Assembly.
7    (f) At the time of renewal, each licensee shall respond to
8the required questions under penalty of perjury.
9    (g) The following entities shall be designated as approved
10to provide professional development activities for the renewal
11of Professional Educator Licenses:
12        (1) The State Board of Education.
13        (2) Regional offices of education and intermediate
14    service centers.
15        (3) Illinois professional associations representing
16    the following groups that are approved by the State
17    Superintendent of Education:
18            (A) school administrators;
19            (B) principals;
20            (C) school business officials;
21            (D) teachers, including special education
22        teachers;
23            (E) school boards;
24            (F) school districts;
25            (G) parents; and
26            (H) school service personnel.

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 52 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1        (4) Regionally accredited institutions of higher
2    education that offer Illinois-approved educator
3    preparation programs and public community colleges subject
4    to the Public Community College Act.
5        (5) Illinois public school districts, charter schools
6    authorized under Article 27A of this Code, and joint
7    educational programs authorized under Article 10 of this
8    Code for the purposes of providing career and technical
9    education or special education services.
10        (6) A not-for-profit organization that, as of December
11    31, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act 98-1147) this
12    amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, has had or has
13    a grant from or a contract with the State Board of
14    Education to provide professional development services in
15    the area of English Learning to Illinois school districts,
16    teachers, or administrators.
17        (7) State agencies, State boards, and State
18    commissions.
19        (8) (7) Museums as defined in Section 10 of the Museum
20    Disposition of Property Act.
21    (h) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
22shall make available professional development opportunities
23that satisfy at least one of the following:
24        (1) increase the knowledge and skills of school and
25    district leaders who guide continuous professional
26    development;

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 53 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1        (2) improve the learning of students;
2        (3) organize adults into learning communities whose
3    goals are aligned with those of the school and district;
4        (4) deepen educator's content knowledge;
5        (5) provide educators with research-based
6    instructional strategies to assist students in meeting
7    rigorous academic standards;
8        (6) prepare educators to appropriately use various
9    types of classroom assessments;
10        (7) use learning strategies appropriate to the
11    intended goals;
12        (8) provide educators with the knowledge and skills to
13    collaborate; or
14        (9) prepare educators to apply research to
15    decision-making.
16    (i) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
17shall do the following:
18        (1) align professional development activities to the
19    State-approved national standards for professional
20    learning;
21        (2) meet the professional development criteria for
22    Illinois licensure renewal;
23        (3) produce a rationale for the activity that explains
24    how it aligns to State standards and identify the
25    assessment for determining the expected impact on student
26    learning or school improvement;

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 54 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1        (4) maintain original documentation for completion of
2    activities; and
3        (5) provide license holders with evidence of
4    completion of activities.
5    (j) The State Board of Education shall conduct annual
6audits of approved providers, except for school districts,
7which shall be audited by regional offices of education and
8intermediate service centers. The State Board of Education
9shall complete random audits of licensees.
10        (1) Approved providers shall annually submit to the
11    State Board of Education a list of subcontractors used for
12    delivery of professional development activities for which
13    renewal credit was issued and other information as defined
14    by rule.
15        (2) Approved providers shall annually submit data to
16    the State Board of Education demonstrating how the
17    professional development activities impacted one or more
18    of the following:
19            (A) educator and student growth in regards to
20        content knowledge or skills, or both;
21            (B) educator and student social and emotional
22        growth; or
23            (C) alignment to district or school improvement
24        plans.
25        (3) The State Superintendent of Education shall review
26    the annual data collected by the State Board of Education,

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 55 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    regional offices of education, and intermediate service
2    centers in audits to determine if the approved provider has
3    met the criteria and should continue to be an approved
4    provider or if further action should be taken as provided
5    in rules.
6    (k) Registration fees shall be paid for the next renewal
7cycle between April 1 and June 30 in the last year of each
85-year renewal cycle using ELIS. If all required professional
9development hours for the renewal cycle have been completed and
10entered by the licensee, the licensee shall pay the
11registration fees for the next cycle using a form of credit or
12debit card.
13    (l) Beginning July 1, 2014, any professional educator
14licensee endorsed for school support personnel who is employed
15and performing services in Illinois public schools and who
16holds an active and current professional license issued by the
17Department of Financial and Professional Regulation related to
18the endorsement areas on the Professional Educator License
19shall be deemed to have satisfied the continuing professional
20development requirements provided for in this Section. Such
21individuals shall be required to pay only registration fees to
22renew the Professional Educator License. An individual who does
23not hold a license issued by the Department of Financial and
24Professional Regulation shall complete professional
25development requirements for the renewal of a Professional
26Educator License provided for in this Section.

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 56 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1    (m) Appeals to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
2Board must be made within 30 days after receipt of notice from
3the State Superintendent of Education that a license will not
4be renewed based upon failure to complete the requirements of
5this Section. A licensee may appeal that decision to the State
6Educator Preparation and Licensure Board in a manner prescribed
7by rule.
8        (1) Each appeal shall state the reasons why the State
9    Superintendent's decision should be reversed and shall be
10    sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
11    State Board of Education.
12        (2) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
13    shall review each appeal regarding renewal of a license
14    within 90 days after receiving the appeal in order to
15    determine whether the licensee has met the requirements of
16    this Section. The State Educator Preparation and Licensure
17    Board may hold an appeal hearing or may make its
18    determination based upon the record of review, which shall
19    consist of the following:
20            (A) the regional superintendent of education's
21        rationale for recommending nonrenewal of the license,
22        if applicable;
23            (B) any evidence submitted to the State
24        Superintendent along with the individual's electronic
25        statement of assurance for renewal; and
26            (C) the State Superintendent's rationale for

 

 

09900SB2912sam001- 57 -LRB099 19280 NHT 47319 a

1        nonrenewal of the license.
2        (3) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
3    shall notify the licensee of its decision regarding license
4    renewal by certified mail, return receipt requested, no
5    later than 30 days after reaching a decision. Upon receipt
6    of notification of renewal, the licensee, using ELIS, shall
7    pay the applicable registration fee for the next cycle
8    using a form of credit or debit card.
9    (n) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as may be
10necessary to implement this Section.
11(Source: P.A. 98-610, eff. 12-27-13; 98-1147, eff. 12-31-14;
1299-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-130, eff. 7-24-15; revised 10-21-15.)
 
13    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
14becoming law.".