HB2003 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 08114 NHT 28278 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB2003

Introduced 2/26/2007, by Rep. Michael K. Smith

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/21-1a	from Ch. 122, par. 21-1a
105 ILCS 5/21-2	from Ch. 122, par. 21-2
105 ILCS 5/21-10	from Ch. 122, par. 21-10
105 ILCS 5/21-14	from Ch. 122, par. 21-14

Amends the Teacher Certification Article of the School Code. Removes a provision that provides that a person who holds a valid and comparable out-of-state certificate is not required to take the tests of basic skills and subject matter knowledge. Removes a provision that requires a provisional certificate holder to pass the examinations set forth by the State Board of Education within 9 months. Removes a provision that provides that a failure to pass the tests of basic skills and subject matter knowledge shall result in cancellation of a provisional certificate. With respect to Standard Teaching Certificates, removes a provision that provides that continuing professional development activities may include continuing education units; makes related changes.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections 21-1a, 21-2, 21-10, and 21-14 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/21-1a) (from Ch. 122, par. 21-1a)

Sec. 21-1a. Tests required for certification and teacher preparation.

(a) After July 1, 1988, in addition to all other requirements, early childhood, elementary, special, high school, school service personnel, or, except as provided in Section 34-6, administrative certificates shall be issued to persons who have satisfactorily passed a test of basic skills and subject matter knowledge. A person who holds a valid and comparable out-of-state certificate, however, is not required to take a test of basic skills and is not required to take a test of subject matter knowledge, provided that the person has successfully passed a test of subject matter knowledge in another state or territory of the United States that is directly related in content to the specific subject area of certification. The tests of basic skills and subject matter knowledge shall be the tests which from time to time are designated by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board and may be tests prepared by an educational testing organization or tests designed by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board. The areas to be covered by the test of basic skills shall include the basic skills of reading, writing, grammar and mathematics. The test of subject matter knowledge shall assess content knowledge in the specific subject field. The tests shall be designed to be racially neutral to assure that no person in taking the tests is thereby discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin or other factors unrelated to the person's ability to perform as a certificated employee. The score required to pass the tests of basic skills and subject matter knowledge shall be fixed by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board. The tests shall be held not fewer than 3 times a year at such time and place as may be designated by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board.

(b) Except as provided in Section 34-6, the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section shall apply equally in any school district subject to Article 34, provided that the State Board of Education shall determine which certificates issued under Sections 34-8.1 and 34-83 prior to July 1, 1988 are comparable to any early childhood certificate, elementary school certificate, special certificate, high school certificate, school service personnel certificate or administrative certificate issued under this Article as of July 1, 1988.

(c) A person who holds an early childhood, elementary, special, high school or school service personnel certificate issued under this Article on or at any time before July 1, 1988, including a person who has been issued any such certificate pursuant to Section 21-11.1 or in exchange for a comparable certificate theretofore issued under Section 34-8.1 or Section 34-83, shall not be required to take or pass the tests in order to thereafter have such certificate renewed.

(d) The State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board shall conduct a pilot administration of the tests by administering the test to students completing teacher education programs in the 1986-87 school year for the purpose of determining the effect and impact of testing candidates for certification.

Beginning with the 2002-2003 academic year, a student may not enroll in a teacher preparation program at a recognized teacher training institution until he or she has passed the basic skills test.

Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, prior to completing an approved teacher preparation program, a preservice education candidate must satisfactorily pass the test of subject matter knowledge in the discipline in which he or she will be certified to teach. The teacher preparation program may require passage of the test of subject matter knowledge at any time during the program, including prior to student teaching.

(e) The rules and regulations developed to implement the required test of basic skills and subject matter knowledge shall include the requirements of subsections (a), (b), and (c) and shall include specific regulations to govern test selection; test validation and determination of a passing score; administration of the tests; frequency of administration; applicant fees; frequency of applicants' taking the tests; the years for which a score is valid; and, waiving certain additional tests for additional certificates to individuals who have satisfactorily passed the test of basic skills and subject matter knowledge as required in subsection (a). The State Board of Education shall provide, by rule, specific policies that assure uniformity in the difficulty level of each form of the basic skills test and each subject matter knowledge test from test-to-test and year-to-year. The State Board of Education shall also set a passing score for the tests.

(f) The State Teacher Certification Board may issue a nonrenewable temporary certificate between July 1, 1988 and August 31, 1988 to individuals who have taken the tests of basic skills and subject matter knowledge prescribed by this Section but have not received such test scores by August 31, 1988. Such temporary certificates shall expire on December 31, 1988.

(g) Beginning February 15, 2000, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, shall implement and administer a new system of certification for teachers in the State of Illinois. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, shall design and implement a system of examinations and various other criteria which shall be required prior to the issuance of Initial Teaching Certificates and Standard Teaching Certificates. These examinations and indicators shall be based on national and State professional teaching standards, as determined by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board. The State Board of Education may adopt any and all regulations necessary to implement and administer this Section.

(h) The State Board of Education shall report to the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor with recommendations for further changes and improvements to the teacher certification system no later than July 1, 1999 and on an annual basis until July 1, 2001.

(Source: P.A. 93-679, eff. 6-30-04; 94-208, eff. 7-14-05.)

(105 ILCS 5/21-2) (from Ch. 122, par. 21-2)

Sec. 21-2. Grades of certificates.

(a) All certificates issued under this Article shall be State certificates valid, except as limited in Section 21-1, in every school district coming under the provisions of this Act and shall be limited in time and designated as follows: Provisional vocational certificate, temporary provisional vocational certificate, early childhood certificate, elementary school certificate, special certificate, secondary certificate, school service personnel certificate, administrative certificate, provisional certificate, and substitute certificate. The requirement of student teaching under close and competent supervision for obtaining a teaching certificate may be waived by the State Teacher Certification Board upon presentation to the Board by the teacher of evidence of 5 years successful teaching experience on a valid certificate and graduation from a recognized institution of higher learning with a bachelor's degree.

(b) Initial Teaching Certificate. Persons who (1) have completed an approved teacher preparation program, (2) are recommended by an approved teacher preparation program, (3) have successfully completed the Initial Teaching Certification examinations required by the State Board of Education, and (4) have met all other criteria established by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, shall be issued an Initial Teaching Certificate valid for 4 years of teaching, as defined in Section 21-14 of this Code. Initial Teaching Certificates shall be issued for categories corresponding to Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, and Special K-12, with special certification designations for Special Education, Bilingual Education, fundamental learning areas (including Language Arts, Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Physical Development and Health, Fine Arts, and Foreign Language), and other areas designated by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, an Initial Teaching Certificate shall be automatically extended for one year for all persons who (i) have been issued an Initial Teaching Certificate that expires on June 30, 2004 and (ii) have not met, prior to July 1, 2004, the Standard Certificate requirements under paragraph (c) of this Section. An application and fee shall not be required for this extension.

(b-5) A person who holds an out-of-state certificate and who is otherwise eligible for a comparable Illinois certificate may be issued an Initial Certificate if that person has not completed 4 years of teaching. Upon completion of 4 years of teaching, the person is eligible for a Standard Certificate. Beginning July 1, 2004, an out-of-state candidate who has already earned a second-tier certificate in another state is not subject to any Standard Certificate eligibility requirements stated in paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of this Section other than completion of the 4 years of teaching. An out-of-state candidate who has completed less than 4 years of teaching and does not hold a second-tier certificate from another state must meet the requirements stated in paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of this Section, proportionately reduced by the amount of time remaining to complete the 4 years of teaching.

(c) Standard Certificate.

(1) Persons who (i) have completed 4 years of teaching, as defined in Section 21-14 of this Code, with an Initial Certificate or an Initial Alternative Teaching Certificate and have met all other criteria established by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, (ii) have completed 4 years of teaching on a valid equivalent certificate in another State or territory of the United States, or have completed 4 years of teaching in a nonpublic Illinois elementary or secondary school with an Initial Certificate or an Initial Alternative Teaching Certificate, and have met all other criteria established by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, or (iii) were issued teaching certificates prior to February 15, 2000 and are renewing those certificates after February 15, 2000, shall be issued a Standard Certificate valid for 5 years, which may be renewed thereafter every 5 years by the State Teacher Certification Board based on proof of continuing education or professional development. Beginning July 1, 2003, persons who have completed 4 years of teaching, as described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (1), have successfully completed the requirements of paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection (c), and have met all other criteria established by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, shall be issued Standard Certificates. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, beginning July 1, 2004, persons who hold valid out-of-state certificates and have completed 4 years of teaching on a valid equivalent certificate in another State or territory of the United States shall be issued comparable Standard Certificates. Beginning July 1, 2004, persons who hold valid out-of-state certificates as described in subsection (b-5) of this Section are subject to the requirements of paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection (c), as required in subsection (b-5) of this Section, in order to receive a Standard Certificate. Standard Certificates shall be issued for categories corresponding to Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, and Special K-12, with special certification designations for Special Education, Bilingual Education, fundamental learning areas (including Language Arts, Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Physical Development and Health, Fine Arts, and Foreign Language), and other areas designated by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board.

(2) This paragraph (2) applies only to those persons required to successfully complete the requirements of this paragraph under paragraph (1) of this subsection (c). In order to receive a Standard Teaching Certificate, a person must satisfy one of the following requirements:

(A) Completion of a program of induction and mentoring for new teachers that is based upon a specific plan approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board. Nothing in this Section, however, prohibits an induction or mentoring program from operating prior to approval. Holders of Initial Certificates issued before September 1, 2007 must complete, at a minimum, an approved one-year induction and mentoring program. Holders of Initial Certificates issued on or after September 1, 2007 must complete an approved 2-year induction and mentoring program. The plan must describe the role of mentor teachers, the criteria and process for their selection, and how all the following components are to be provided:

(i) Assignment of a formally trained mentor teacher to each new teacher for a specified period of time, which shall be established by the employing school or school district, provided that a mentor teacher may not directly or indirectly participate in the evaluation of a new teacher pursuant to Article 24A of this Code or the evaluation procedure of the school.

(ii) Formal mentoring for each new teacher.

(iii) Support for each new teacher in relation to the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, the content-area standards applicable to the new teacher's area of certification, and any applicable local school improvement and professional development plans.

(iv) Professional development specifically designed to foster the growth of each new teacher's knowledge and skills.

(v) Formative assessment that is based on the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and designed to provide feedback to the new teacher and opportunities for reflection on his or her performance, which must not be used directly or indirectly in any evaluation of a new teacher pursuant to Article 24A of this Code or the evaluation procedure of the school and which must include the activities specified in clauses (B)(i), (B)(ii), and (B)(iii) of this paragraph (2).

(vi) Assignment of responsibility for coordination of the induction and mentoring program within each school district participating in the program.

(B) Successful completion of 4 semester hours of graduate-level coursework on the assessment of one's own performance in relation to the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards. The coursework must be approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board; must be offered either by an institution of higher education, by such an institution in partnership with a teachers' association or union or with a regional office of education, or by another entity authorized to issue college credit; and must include demonstration of performance through all of the following activities for each of the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards:

(i) Observation, by the course instructor or another experienced teacher, of the new teacher's classroom practice (the observation may be recorded for later viewing) for the purpose of identifying and describing how the new teacher made content meaningful for students; how the teacher motivated individuals and the group and created an environment conducive to positive social interactions, active learning, and self-motivation; what instructional strategies the teacher used to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance; how the teacher communicated using written, verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication techniques; and how the teacher maintained standards of professional conduct and provided leadership to improve students' learning.

(ii) Review and analysis, by the course instructor or another experienced teacher, of written documentation (i.e., lesson plans, assignments, assessment instruments, and samples of students' work) prepared by the new teacher for at least 2 lessons. The documentation must provide evidence of classroom performance related to Illinois Professional Teaching Standards 1 through 9, with an emphasis on how the teacher used his or her understanding of students, assessment data, and subject matter to decide on learning goals; how the teacher designed or selected activities and instructional materials and aligned instruction to the relevant Illinois Learning Standards; how the teacher adapted or modified curriculum to meet individual students' needs; and how the teacher sequenced instruction and designed or selected student assessment strategies.

(iii) Demonstration of professional expertise on the part of the new teacher in reflecting on his or her practice, which was observed under clause (B)(i) of this paragraph (2) and documented under clause (B)(ii) of this paragraph (2), in terms of teaching strengths, weaknesses, and implications for improvement according to the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards.

(C) Successful completion of a minimum of 4 semester hours of graduate-level coursework addressing preparation to meet the requirements for certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The coursework must be approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, and must be offered either by an institution of higher education, by such an institution in partnership with a teachers' association or union or with a regional office of education, or by another entity authorized to issue college credit. The course must address the 5 NBPTS Core Propositions and relevant standards through such means as the following:

(i) Observation, by the course instructor or another experienced teacher, of the new teacher's classroom practice (the observation may be recorded for later viewing) for the purpose of identifying and describing how the new teacher made content meaningful for students; how the teacher motivated individuals and the group and created an environment conducive to positive social interactions, active learning, and self-motivation; what instructional strategies the teacher used to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance; how the teacher communicated using written, verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication techniques; and how the teacher maintained standards of professional conduct and provided leadership to improve students' learning.

(ii) Review and analysis, by the course instructor or another experienced teacher, of written documentation (i.e., lesson plans, assignments, assessment instruments, and samples of students' work) prepared by the new teacher for at least 2 lessons. The documentation must provide evidence of classroom performance, including how the teacher used his or her understanding of students, assessment data, and subject matter to decide on learning goals; how the teacher designed or selected activities and instructional materials and aligned instruction to the relevant Illinois Learning Standards; how the teacher adapted or modified curriculum to meet individual students' needs; and how the teacher sequenced instruction and designed or selected student assessment strategies.

(iii) Demonstration of professional expertise on the part of the new teacher in reflecting on his or her practice, which was observed under clause (C)(i) of this paragraph (2) and documented under clause (C)(ii) of this paragraph (2), in terms of teaching strengths, weaknesses, and implications for improvement.

(C-5) Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate credit towards an advanced degree in an education-related field from an accredited institution of higher education.

(D) Receipt of an advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in an education-related field that is earned by a person either while he or she holds an Initial Teaching Certificate or prior to his or her receipt of that certificate.

(E) Accumulation of 60 continuing professional development units (CPDUs), earned by completing selected activities that comply with paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection (c). However, for an individual who holds an Initial Teaching Certificate on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly, the number of CPDUs shall be reduced to reflect the teaching time remaining on the Initial Teaching Certificate.

(F) Completion of a nationally normed, performance-based assessment, if made available by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, provided that the cost to the person shall not exceed the cost of the coursework described in clause (B) of this paragraph (2).

(G) Completion of requirements for meeting the Illinois criteria for becoming "highly qualified" (for purposes of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Public Law 107-110) in an additional teaching area.

(H) Receipt of a minimum 12-hour, post-baccalaureate, education-related professional development certificate issued by an Illinois institution of higher education and developed in accordance with rules adopted by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board.

(I) Completion of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) process.

(J) Receipt of a subsequent Illinois certificate or endorsement pursuant to Article 21 of this Code.

(3) This paragraph (3) applies only to those persons required to successfully complete the requirements of this paragraph under paragraph (1) of this subsection (c). Persons who seek to satisfy the requirements of clause (E) of paragraph (2) of this subsection (c) through accumulation of CPDUs may earn credit through completion of coursework, workshops, seminars, conferences, and other similar training events that are pre-approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, for the purpose of reflection on teaching practices in order to address all of the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards necessary to obtain a Standard Teaching Certificate. These activities must meet all of the following requirements:

(A) Each activity must be designed to advance a person's knowledge and skills in relation to one or more of the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards or in relation to the content-area standards applicable to the teacher's field of certification.

(B) Taken together, the activities completed must address each of the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards as provided in clauses (B)(i), (B)(ii), and (B)(iii) of paragraph (2) of this subsection (c).

(C) Each activity must be provided by an entity approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, for this purpose.

(D) Each activity, integral to its successful completion, must require participants to demonstrate the degree to which they have acquired new knowledge or skills, such as through performance, through preparation of a written product, through assembling samples of students' or teachers' work, or by some other means that is appropriate to the subject matter of the activity.

(E) One CPDU shall be available for each hour of direct participation by a holder of an Initial Teaching Certificate in a qualifying activity. An activity may be attributed to more than one of the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, but credit for any activity shall be counted only once.

(4) This paragraph (4) applies only to those persons required to successfully complete the requirements of this paragraph under paragraph (1) of this subsection (c). Persons who seek to satisfy the requirements of clause (E) of paragraph (2) of this subsection (c) through accumulation of CPDUs may earn credit from the following, provided that each activity is designed to advance a person's knowledge and skills in relation to one or more of the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards or in relation to the content-area standards applicable to the person's field or fields of certification:

(A) Collaboration and partnership activities related to improving a person's knowledge and skills as a teacher, including all of the following:

(i) Peer review and coaching.

(ii) Mentoring in a formal mentoring program, including service as a consulting teacher participating in a remediation process formulated under Section 24A-5 of this Code.

(iii) Facilitating parent education programs directly related to student achievement for a school, school district, or regional office of education.

(iv) Participating in business, school, or community partnerships directly related to student achievement.

(B) Teaching college or university courses in areas relevant to a teacher's field of certification, provided that the teaching may only be counted once during the course of 4 years.

(C) Conferences, workshops, institutes, seminars, and symposiums related to improving a person's knowledge and skills as a teacher, including all of the following:

(i) Completing non-university credit directly related to student achievement, the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, or content-area standards.

(ii) Participating in or presenting at workshops, seminars, conferences, institutes, and symposiums.

(iii) (Blank).

(iv) Training as reviewers of university teacher preparation programs.

An activity listed in this clause (C) is creditable only if its provider is approved for this purpose by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board.

(D) Other educational experiences related to improving a person's knowledge and skills as a teacher, including all of the following:

(i) Participating in action research and inquiry projects.

(ii) Observing programs or teaching in schools, related businesses, or industry that is systematic, purposeful, and relevant to a teacher's field of certification.

(iii) Participating in study groups related to student achievement, the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, or content-area standards.

(iv) Participating in work/learn programs or internships.

(v) Developing a portfolio of students' and teacher's work.

(E) Professional leadership experiences related to improving a person's knowledge and skills as a teacher, including all of the following:

(i) Participating in curriculum development or assessment activities at the school, school district, regional office of education, State, or national level.

(ii) Participating in team or department leadership in a school or school district.

(iii) (Blank).

(iv) Publishing educational articles, columns, or books relevant to a teacher's field of certification.

(v) Participating in non-strike related activities of a professional association or labor organization that are related to professional development.

(5) A person must complete the requirements of this subsection (c) before the expiration of his or her Initial Teaching Certificate and must submit assurance of having done so to the regional superintendent of schools or a local professional development committee authorized by the regional superintendent to submit recommendations to him or her for this purpose.

Within 30 days after receipt, the regional superintendent of schools shall review the assurance of completion submitted by a person and, based upon compliance with all of the requirements for receipt of a Standard Teaching Certificate, shall forward to the State Board of Education a recommendation for issuance of the Standard Certificate or non-issuance. The regional superintendent of schools shall notify the affected person if the recommendation is for non-issuance of the Standard Certificate. A person who is considered not to be eligible for a Standard Certificate and who has received the notice of non-issuance may appeal this determination to the Regional Professional Development Review Committee (RPDRC). The recommendation of the regional superintendent and the RPDRC, along with all supporting materials, must then be forwarded to the State Board of Education for a final determination.

Upon review of a regional superintendent of school's recommendations, the State Board of Education shall issue Standard Teaching Certificates to those who qualify and shall notify a person, in writing, of a decision denying a Standard Teaching Certificate. Any decision denying issuance of a Standard Teaching Certificate to a person may be appealed to the State Teacher Certification Board.

(6) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, may adopt rules to implement this subsection (c) and may periodically evaluate any of the methods of qualifying for a Standard Teaching Certificate described in this subsection (c).

(7) The changes made to paragraphs (1) through (5) of this subsection (c) by this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall apply to those persons who hold or are eligible to hold an Initial Certificate on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly and shall be given effect upon their application for a Standard Certificate.

(8) Beginning July 1, 2004, persons who hold a Standard Certificate and have acquired one master's degree in an education-related field are eligible for certificate renewal upon completion of two-thirds of the continuing education units specified in subdivision (C) of paragraph (3) of subsection (e) of Section 21-14 of this Code or of the continuing professional development units specified in subdivision (E) of paragraph (3) of subsection (e) of Section 21-14 of this Code. Persons who hold a Standard Certificate and have acquired a second master's degree, an education specialist, or a doctorate in an education-related field or hold a Master Certificate are eligible for certificate renewal upon completion of one-third of the continuing education units specified in subdivision (C) of paragraph (3) of subsection (e) of Section 21-14 of this Code or of the continuing professional development units specified in subdivision (E) of paragraph (3) of subsection (e) of Section 21-14 of this Code.

(d) Master Certificate. Persons who have successfully achieved National Board certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards shall be issued a Master Certificate, valid for 10 years and renewable thereafter every 10 years through compliance with requirements set forth by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board. However, each teacher who holds a Master Certificate shall be eligible for a teaching position in this State in the areas for which he or she holds a Master Certificate without satisfying any other requirements of this Code, except for those requirements pertaining to criminal background checks. A holder of a Master Certificate in an area of science or social science is eligible to teach in any of the subject areas within those fields, including those taught at the advanced level, as defined by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board. A teacher who holds a Master Certificate shall be deemed to meet State certification renewal requirements in the area or areas for which he or she holds a Master Certificate for the 10-year term of the teacher's Master Certificate.

(Source: P.A. 92-16, eff. 6-28-01; 92-796, eff. 8-10-02; 93-679, eff. 6-30-04.)

(105 ILCS 5/21-10) (from Ch. 122, par. 21-10)

Sec. 21-10. Provisional certificate.

(A) Until July 1, 1972, the State Teacher Certification Board may issue a provisional certificate valid for teaching in elementary, high school or special subject fields subject to the following conditions:

A provisional certificate may be issued to a person who presents certified evidence of having earned a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution of higher learning. The academic and professional courses offered as a basis of the provisional certificate shall be courses approved by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board.

A certificate earned under this plan may be renewed at the end of each two-year period upon evidence filed with the State Teacher Certification Board that the holder has earned 8 semester hours of credit within the period; provided the requirements for the certificate of the same type issued for the teaching position for which the teacher is employed shall be met by the end of the second renewal period. A second provisional certificate shall not be issued. The credits so earned must be approved by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board and must meet the general pattern for a similar type of certificate issued on the basis of credit. No more than 4 semester hours shall be chosen from elective subjects.

(B) After July 1, 1972, the State Teacher Certification Board may issue a provisional certificate valid for teaching in early childhood, elementary, high school or special subject fields, or for providing service as school service personnel or for administering schools subject to the following conditions: A provisional certificate may be issued to a person who meets the requirements for a regular teaching, school service personnel or administrative certificate in another State and who presents certified evidence of having earned a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution of higher learning. The academic and professional courses offered as a basis of the provisional certificate shall be courses approved by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board. A certificate earned under this plan is valid for a period of 2 years and shall not be renewed; however, the individual to whom this certificate is issued shall have passed or shall pass the examinations set forth by the State Board of Education within 9 months of the date of issuance of the provisional certificate. Failure to pass the tests, required in Section 21-1a, shall result in the cancellation of the provisional certificate.

(C) The State Teacher Certification Board may also issue a provisional vocational certificate and a temporary provisional vocational certificate.

(1) The requirements for a provisional vocational certificate shall be determined by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board; provided, the following minimum requirements are met: (a) after July 1, 1972, at least 30 semester hours of credit from a recognized institution of higher learning; and (b) after July 1, 1974, at least 60 semester hours of credit from a recognized institution of higher learning.

(2) The requirements for a temporary provisional vocational certificate shall be determined by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board; provided, the following minimum requirements are met: (a) after July 1, 1973, at least 4,000 hours of work experience in the skill to be certified for teaching; and (b) after July 1, 1975, at least 8,000 hours of work experience in the skill to be certified for teaching. Any certificate issued under the provisions of this paragraph shall expire on June 30 following the date of issue. Renewals may be granted on a yearly basis, but shall not be granted to any person who does not file with the State Teacher Certification Board a transcript showing at least 3 semester hours of credit earned during the previous year in a recognized institution of learning. No such certificate shall be issued except upon certification by the employing board, subject to the approval of the regional superintendent of schools, that no qualified teacher holding a regular certificate or a provisional vocational certificate is available and that actual circumstances and need require such issuance.

The courses or work experience offered as a basis for the issuance of the provisional vocational certificate or the temporary provisional vocational certificate shall be approved by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board.

(D) Until July 1, 1972, the State Teacher Certification Board may also issue a provisional foreign language certificate valid for 4 years for teaching the foreign language named therein in all grades of the common schools and shall be issued to persons who have graduated from a recognized institution of higher learning with not fewer than 120 semester hours of credit and who have met other requirements as determined by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board. If the holder of a provisional foreign language certificate is not a citizen of the United States within 6 years of the date of issuance of the original certificate, such certificate shall be suspended by the regional superintendent of schools of the region in which the holder is engaged to teach and shall not be reinstated until the holder is a citizen of the United States.

(E) Notwithstanding anything in this Act to the contrary, the State Teacher Certification Board shall issue part-time provisional certificates to eligible individuals who are professionals and craftsmen.

The requirements for a part-time provisional teachers certificate shall be determined by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, provided the following minimum requirements are met: 60 semester hours of credit from a recognized institution of higher learning or 4000 hours of work experience in the skill to be certified for teaching.

A part-time provisional certificate may be issued for teaching no more than 2 courses of study for grades 6 through 12.

A part-time provisional teachers certificate shall be valid for 2 years and may be renewed at the end of each 2 year period.

(Source: P.A. 90-548, eff. 1-1-98; 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(105 ILCS 5/21-14) (from Ch. 122, par. 21-14)

Sec. 21-14. Registration and renewal of certificates.

(a) A limited four-year certificate or a certificate issued after July 1, 1955, shall be renewable at its expiration or within 60 days thereafter by the county superintendent of schools having supervision and control over the school where the teacher is teaching upon certified evidence of meeting the requirements for renewal as required by this Act and prescribed by the State Board of Education in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board. An elementary supervisory certificate shall not be renewed at the end of the first four-year period covered by the certificate unless the holder thereof has filed certified evidence with the State Teacher Certification Board that he has a master's degree or that he has earned 8 semester hours of credit in the field of educational administration and supervision in a recognized institution of higher learning. The holder shall continue to earn 8 semester hours of credit each four-year period until such time as he has earned a master's degree.

All certificates not renewed or registered as herein provided shall lapse after a period of 5 years from the expiration of the last year of registration. Such certificates may be reinstated for a one year period upon payment of all accumulated registration fees. Such reinstated certificates shall only be renewed: (1) by earning 5 semester hours of credit in a recognized institution of higher learning in the field of professional education or in courses related to the holder's contractual teaching duties; or (2) by presenting evidence of holding a valid regular certificate of some other type. Any certificate may be voluntarily surrendered by the certificate holder. A voluntarily surrendered certificate shall be treated as a revoked certificate.

(b) When those teaching certificates issued before February 15, 2000 are renewed for the first time after February 15, 2000, all such teaching certificates shall be exchanged for Standard Teaching Certificates as provided in subsection (c) of Section 21-2. All Initial and Standard Teaching Certificates, including those issued to persons who previously held teaching certificates issued before February 15, 2000, shall be renewable under the conditions set forth in this subsection (b).

Initial Teaching Certificates are valid for 4 years of teaching, as provided in subsection (b) of Section 21-2 of this Code, and are renewable every 4 years until the person completes 4 years of teaching. If the holder of an Initial Certificate has completed 4 years of teaching but has not completed the requirements set forth in paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of Section 21-2 of this Code, then the Initial Certificate may be reinstated for one year, during which the requirements must be met. A holder of an Initial Certificate who has not completed 4 years of teaching may continuously register the certificate for additional 4-year periods without penalty. Initial Certificates that are not registered shall lapse consistent with subsection (a) of this Section and may be reinstated only in accordance with subsection (a). Standard Teaching Certificates are renewable every 5 years as provided in subsection (c) of Section 21-2 and subsection (c) of this Section. For purposes of this Section, "teaching" is defined as employment and performance of services in an Illinois public or State-operated elementary school, secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement with a governing body or board of control, in a certificated teaching position, or a charter school operating in compliance with the Charter Schools Law.

(c) In compliance with subsection (c) of Section 21-2 of this Code, which provides that a Standard Teaching Certificate may be renewed by the State Teacher Certification Board based upon proof of continuing professional development, the State Board of Education and the State Teacher Certification Board shall jointly:

(1) establish a procedure for renewing Standard Teaching Certificates, which shall include but not be limited to annual timelines for the renewal process and the components set forth in subsections (d) through (k) of this Section;

(2) establish the standards for certificate renewal;

(3) approve or disapprove the providers of continuing professional development activities;

(4) determine the maximum credit for each category of continuing professional development activities, based upon recommendations submitted by a continuing professional development activity task force, which shall consist of 6 staff members from the State Board of Education, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education, and 6 teacher representatives, 3 of whom are selected by the Illinois Education Association and 3 of whom are selected by the Illinois Federation of Teachers;

(5) designate the type and amount of documentation required to show that continuing professional development activities have been completed; and

(6) provide, on a timely basis to all Illinois teachers, certificate holders, regional superintendents of schools, school districts, and others with an interest in continuing professional development, information about the standards and requirements established pursuant to this subsection (c).

(d) Any Standard Teaching Certificate held by an individual employed and performing services in an Illinois public or State-operated elementary school, secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement with a governing body or board of control in a certificated teaching position or a charter school in compliance with the Charter Schools Law must be maintained Valid and Active through certificate renewal activities specified in the certificate renewal procedure established pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, provided that a holder of a Valid and Active certificate who is only employed on either a part-time basis or day-to-day basis as a substitute teacher shall pay only the required registration fee to renew his or her certificate and maintain it as Valid and Active. All other Standard Teaching Certificates held may be maintained as Valid and Exempt through the registration process provided for in the certificate renewal procedure established pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section. A Valid and Exempt certificate must be immediately activated, through procedures developed jointly by the State Board of Education and the State Teacher Certification Board, upon the certificate holder becoming employed and performing services in an Illinois public or State-operated elementary school, secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement with a governing body or board of control in a certificated teaching position or a charter school operating in compliance with the Charter Schools Law. A holder of a Valid and Exempt certificate may activate his or her certificate through procedures provided for in the certificate renewal procedure established pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section.

(e)(1) A Standard Teaching Certificate that has been maintained as Valid and Active for the 5 years of the certificate's validity shall be renewed as Valid and Active upon the certificate holder: (i) completing an advanced degree from an approved institution in an education-related field; (ii) completing at least 8 semester hours of coursework as described in subdivision (B) of paragraph (3) of this subsection (e); (iii) (blank); earning at least 24 continuing education units as described in subdivision (C) of paragraph (3) of this subsection (e); (iv) completing the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards process as described in subdivision (D) of paragraph (3) of this subsection (e); or (v) earning 120 continuing professional development units ("CPDU") as described in subdivision (E) of paragraph (3) of this subsection (e). The maximum continuing professional development units for each continuing professional development activity identified in subdivisions (F) through (J) of paragraph (3) of this subsection (e) shall be jointly determined by the State Board of Education and the State Teacher Certification Board. If, however, the certificate holder has maintained the certificate as Valid and Exempt for a portion of the 5-year period of validity, the number of continuing professional development units needed to renew the certificate as Valid and Active shall be proportionately reduced by the amount of time the certificate was Valid and Exempt. Furthermore, if a certificate holder is employed and performs teaching services on a part-time basis for all or a portion of the certificate's 5-year period of validity, the number of continuing professional development units needed to renew the certificate as Valid and Active shall be reduced by 50% for the amount of time the certificate holder has been employed and performed teaching services on a part-time basis. Part-time shall be defined as less than 50% of the school day or school term.

Notwithstanding any other requirements to the contrary, if a Standard Teaching Certificate has been maintained as Valid and Active for the 5 years of the certificate's validity and the certificate holder has completed his or her certificate renewal plan before July 1, 2002, the certificate shall be renewed as Valid and Active.

(2) Beginning July 1, 2004, in order to satisfy the requirements for continuing professional development provided for in subsection (c) of Section 21-2 of this Code, each Valid and Active Standard Teaching Certificate holder shall complete professional development activities that address the certificate or those certificates that are required of his or her certificated teaching position, if the certificate holder is employed and performing services in an Illinois public or State-operated elementary school, secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement with a governing body or board of control, or that certificate or those certificates most closely related to his or her teaching position, if the certificate holder is employed in a charter school. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (e), the certificate holder's activities must address purposes (A), (B), (C), or (D) and must reflect purpose (E) of the following continuing professional development purposes:

(A) Advance both the certificate holder's knowledge and skills as a teacher consistent with the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and the Illinois Content Area Standards in the certificate holder's areas of certification, endorsement, or teaching assignment in order to keep the certificate holder current in those areas.

(B) Develop the certificate holder's knowledge and skills in areas determined to be critical for all Illinois teachers, as defined by the State Board of Education, known as "State priorities".

(C) Address the knowledge, skills, and goals of the certificate holder's local school improvement plan, if the teacher is employed in an Illinois public or State-operated elementary school, secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement with a governing body or board of control.

(D) Expand the certificate holder's knowledge and skills in an additional teaching field or toward the acquisition of another teaching certificate, endorsement, or relevant education degree.

(E) Address the needs of serving students with disabilities, including adapting and modifying the general curriculum related to the Illinois Learning Standards to meet the needs of students with disabilities and serving such students in the least restrictive environment. Teachers who hold certificates endorsed for special education must devote at least 50% of their continuing professional development activities to this purpose. Teachers holding other certificates must devote at least 20% of their activities to this purpose.

A speech-language pathologist or audiologist who is licensed under the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act and who has met the continuing education requirements of that Act and the rules promulgated under that Act shall be deemed to have satisfied the continuing professional development requirements established by the State Board of Education and the Teacher Certification Board to renew a Standard Certificate.

(3) Continuing professional development activities may include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

(A) completion of an advanced degree from an approved institution in an education-related field;

(B) at least 8 semester hours of coursework in an approved education-related program, of which at least 2 semester hours relate to the continuing professional development purpose set forth in purpose (A) of paragraph (2) of this subsection (e), completion of which means no other continuing professional development activities are required;

(C) (blank); continuing education units that satisfy the continuing professional development purposes set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection (e), with each continuing education unit equal to 5 clock hours, provided that a plan that includes at least 24 continuing education units (or 120 clock/contact hours) need not include any other continuing professional development activities;

(D) completion of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards ("NBPTS") process for certification or recertification, completion of which means no other continuing professional development activities are required;

(E) completion of 120 continuing professional development units that satisfy the continuing professional development purposes set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection (e) and may include without limitation the activities identified in subdivisions (F) through (J) of this paragraph (3);

(F) collaboration and partnership activities related to improving the teacher's knowledge and skills as a teacher, including the following:

(i) participating on collaborative planning and professional improvement teams and committees;

(ii) peer review and coaching;

(iii) mentoring in a formal mentoring program, including service as a consulting teacher participating in a remediation process formulated under Section 24A-5 of this Code;

(iv) participating in site-based management or decision making teams, relevant committees, boards, or task forces directly related to school improvement plans;

(v) coordinating community resources in schools, if the project is a specific goal of the school improvement plan;

(vi) facilitating parent education programs for a school, school district, or regional office of education directly related to student achievement or school improvement plans;

(vii) participating in business, school, or community partnerships directly related to student achievement or school improvement plans; or

(viii) supervising a student teacher or teacher education candidate in clinical supervision, provided that the supervision may only be counted once during the course of 5 years;

(G) college or university coursework related to improving the teacher's knowledge and skills as a teacher as follows:

(i) completing undergraduate or graduate credit earned from a regionally accredited institution in coursework relevant to the certificate area being renewed, including coursework that incorporates induction activities and development of a portfolio of both student and teacher work that provides experience in reflective practices, provided the coursework meets Illinois Professional Teaching Standards or Illinois Content Area Standards and supports the essential characteristics of quality professional development; or

(ii) teaching college or university courses in areas relevant to the certificate area being renewed, provided that the teaching may only be counted once during the course of 5 years;

(H) conferences, workshops, institutes, seminars, and symposiums related to improving the teacher's knowledge and skills as a teacher, subject to disapproval of the activity or event by the State Teacher Certification Board acting jointly with the State Board of Education, including the following:

(i) completing non-university credit directly related to student achievement, school improvement plans, or State priorities;

(ii) participating in or presenting at workshops, seminars, conferences, institutes, and symposiums;

(iii) training as external reviewers for Quality Assurance; or

(iv) training as reviewers of university teacher preparation programs.

A teacher, however, may not receive credit for conferences, workshops, institutes, seminars, or symposiums that are designed for entertainment, promotional, or commercial purposes or that are solely inspirational or motivational. The State Superintendent of Education and regional superintendents of schools are authorized to review the activities and events provided or to be provided under this subdivision (H) and to investigate complaints regarding those activities and events, and either the State Superintendent of Education or a regional superintendent of schools may recommend that the State Teacher Certification Board and the State Board of Education jointly disapprove those activities and events considered to be inconsistent with this subdivision (H);

(I) other educational experiences related to improving the teacher's knowledge and skills as a teacher, including the following:

(i) participating in action research and inquiry projects;

(ii) observing programs or teaching in schools, related businesses, or industry that is systematic, purposeful, and relevant to certificate renewal;

(iii) traveling related to one's teaching assignment, directly related to student achievement or school improvement plans and approved by the regional superintendent of schools or his or her designee at least 30 days prior to the travel experience, provided that the traveling shall not include time spent commuting to destinations where the learning experience will occur;

(iv) participating in study groups related to student achievement or school improvement plans;

(v) serving on a statewide education-related committee, including but not limited to the State Teacher Certification Board, State Board of Education strategic agenda teams, or the State Advisory Council on Education of Children with Disabilities;

(vi) participating in work/learn programs or internships; or

(vii) developing a portfolio of student and teacher work;

(J) professional leadership experiences related to improving the teacher's knowledge and skills as a teacher, including the following:

(i) participating in curriculum development or assessment activities at the school, school district, regional office of education, State, or national level;

(ii) participating in team or department leadership in a school or school district;

(iii) participating on external or internal school or school district review teams;

(iv) publishing educational articles, columns, or books relevant to the certificate area being renewed; or

(v) participating in non-strike related professional association or labor organization service or activities related to professional development;

(K) receipt of a subsequent Illinois certificate or endorsement pursuant to this Article; or

(L) completion of requirements for meeting the Illinois criteria for becoming "highly qualified" (for purposes of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Public Law 107-110) in an additional teaching area; .

(M) successful completion of 4 semester hours of graduate-level coursework on the assessment of one's own performance in relation to the Illinois Teaching Standards, as described in clause (B) of paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of Section 21-2 of this Code; or .

(N) successful completion of a minimum of 4 semester hours of graduate-level coursework addressing preparation to meet the requirements for certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, as described in clause (C) of paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of Section 21-2 of this Code.

(4) A person must complete the requirements of this subsection (e) before the expiration of his or her Standard Teaching Certificate and must submit assurance to the regional superintendent of schools or, if applicable, a local professional development committee authorized by the regional superintendent to submit recommendations to him or her for this purpose. The statement of assurance shall contain a list of the activities completed, the provider offering each activity, the number of credits earned for each activity, and the purposes to which each activity is attributed. The certificate holder shall maintain the evidence of completion of each activity for at least one certificate renewal cycle. The certificate holder shall affirm under penalty of perjury that he or she has completed the activities listed and will maintain the required evidence of completion. The State Board of Education or the regional superintendent of schools for each region shall conduct random audits of assurance statements and supporting documentation.

(5) (Blank).

(6) (Blank).

(f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code, a school district is authorized to enter into an agreement with the exclusive bargaining representative, if any, to form a local professional development committee (LPDC). The membership and terms of members of the LPDC may be determined by the agreement. Provisions regarding LPDCs contained in a collective bargaining agreement in existence on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly between a school district and the exclusive bargaining representative shall remain in full force and effect for the term of the agreement, unless terminated by mutual agreement. The LPDC shall make recommendations to the regional superintendent of schools on renewal of teaching certificates. The regional superintendent of schools for each region shall perform the following functions:

(1) review recommendations for certificate renewal, if any, received from LPDCs;

(2) (blank);

(3) (blank);

(4) (blank);

(5) determine whether certificate holders have met the requirements for certificate renewal and notify certificate holders if the decision is not to renew the certificate;

(6) provide a certificate holder with the opportunity to appeal a recommendation made by a LPDC, if any, not to renew the certificate to the regional professional development review committee;

(7) issue and forward recommendations for renewal or nonrenewal of certificate holders' Standard Teaching Certificates to the State Teacher Certification Board; and

(8) (blank).

(g)(1) Each regional superintendent of schools shall review and concur or nonconcur with each recommendation for renewal or nonrenewal of a Standard Teaching Certificate he or she receives from a local professional development committee, if any, or, if a certificate holder appeals the recommendation to the regional professional development review committee, the recommendation for renewal or nonrenewal he or she receives from a regional professional development review committee and, within 14 days of receipt of the recommendation, shall provide the State Teacher Certification Board with verification of the following, if applicable:

(A) the certificate holder has satisfactorily completed professional development and continuing education activities set forth in paragraph (3) of subsection (e) of this Section;

(B) the certificate holder has submitted the statement of assurance required under paragraph (4) of subsection (e) of this Section, and this statement has been attached to the application for renewal;

(C) the local professional development committee, if any, has recommended the renewal of the certificate holder's Standard Teaching Certificate and forwarded the recommendation to the regional superintendent of schools;

(D) the certificate holder has appealed his or her local professional development committee's recommendation of nonrenewal, if any, to the regional professional development review committee and the result of that appeal;

(E) the regional superintendent of schools has concurred or nonconcurred with the local professional development committee's or regional professional development review committee's recommendation, if any, to renew or nonrenew the certificate holder's Standard Teaching Certificate and made a recommendation to that effect; and

(F) the established registration fee for the Standard Teaching Certificate has been paid.

If the notice required by this subsection (g) includes a recommendation of certificate nonrenewal, then, at the same time the regional superintendent of schools provides the State Teacher Certification Board with the notice, he or she shall also notify the certificate holder in writing, by certified mail, return receipt requested, that this notice has been provided to the State Teacher Certification Board.

(2) Each certificate holder shall have the right to appeal his or her local professional development committee's recommendation of nonrenewal, if any, to the regional professional development review committee, within 14 days of receipt of notice that the recommendation has been sent to the regional superintendent of schools. Each regional superintendent of schools shall establish a regional professional development review committee or committees for the purpose of advising the regional superintendent of schools, upon request, and handling certificate holder appeals. This committee shall consist of at least 4 classroom teachers, one non-administrative certificated educational employee, 2 administrators, and one at-large member who shall be either (i) a parent, (ii) a member of the business community, (iii) a community member, or (iv) an administrator, with preference given to an individual chosen from among those persons listed in items (i), (ii), and (iii) in order to secure representation of an interest not already represented on the committee. The teacher and non-administrative certificated educational employee members of the review committee shall be selected by their exclusive representative, if any, and the administrators and at-large member shall be selected by the regional superintendent of schools. A regional superintendent of schools may add additional members to the committee, provided that the same proportion of teachers to administrators and at-large members on the committee is maintained. Any additional teacher and non-administrative certificated educational employee members shall be selected by their exclusive representative, if any. Vacancies in positions on a regional professional development review committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original selections. Committee members shall serve staggered 3-year terms. All individuals selected to serve on regional professional development review committees must be known to demonstrate the best practices in teaching or their respective field of practice.

(h)(1) The State Teacher Certification Board shall review the regional superintendent of schools' recommendations to renew or nonrenew Standard Teaching Certificates and notify certificate holders in writing whether their certificates have been renewed or nonrenewed within 90 days of receipt of the recommendations, unless a certificate holder has appealed a regional superintendent of schools' recommendation of nonrenewal, as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection (h). The State Teacher Certification Board shall verify that the certificate holder has met the renewal criteria set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection (g) of this Section.

(2) Each certificate holder shall have the right to appeal a regional superintendent of school's recommendation to nonrenew his or her Standard Teaching Certificate to the State Teacher Certification Board, within 14 days of receipt of notice that the decision has been sent to the State Teacher Certification Board, which shall hold an appeal hearing within 60 days of receipt of the appeal. When such an appeal is taken, the certificate holder's Standard Teaching Certificate shall continue to be valid until the appeal is finally determined. The State Teacher Certification Board shall review the regional superintendent of school's recommendation, the regional professional development review committee's recommendation, if any, and the local professional development committee's recommendation, if any, and all relevant documentation to verify whether the certificate holder has met the renewal criteria set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection (g) of this Section. The State Teacher Certification Board may request that the certificate holder appear before it. All actions taken by the State Teacher Certification Board shall require a quorum and be by a simple majority of those present and voting. A record of all votes shall be maintained. The State Teacher Certification Board shall notify the certificate holder in writing, within 7 days of completing the review, whether his or her Standard Teaching Certificate has been renewed or nonrenewed, provided that if the State Teacher Certification Board determines to nonrenew a certificate, the written notice provided to the certificate holder shall be by certified mail, return receipt requested. All certificate renewal or nonrenewal decisions of the State Teacher Certification Board are final and subject to administrative review, as set forth in Section 21-24 of this Code.

(i) Holders of Master Teaching Certificates shall meet the same requirements and follow the same procedures as holders of Standard Teaching Certificates, except that their renewal cycle shall be as set forth in subsection (d) of Section 21-2 of this Code and their renewal requirements shall be subject to paragraph (8) of subsection (c) of Section 21-2 of this Code.

A holder of a teaching certificate endorsed as a speech-language pathologist who has been granted the Certificate of Clinical Competence by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association may renew his or her Standard Teaching Certificate pursuant to the 10-year renewal cycle set forth in subsection (d) of Section 21-2 of this Code.

(j) Holders of Valid and Exempt Standard and Master Teaching Certificates who are not employed and performing services in an Illinois public or State-operated elementary school, secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement with a governing body or board of control, in a certificated teaching position, may voluntarily activate their certificates through the regional superintendent of schools of the regional office of education for the geographic area where their teaching is done. These certificate holders shall follow the same renewal criteria and procedures as all other Standard and Master Teaching Certificate holders, except that their continuing professional development activities need not reflect or address the knowledge, skills, and goals of a local school improvement plan.

(k) (Blank).

(l) (Blank).

(m) The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly that affect renewal of Standard and Master Certificates shall apply to those persons who hold Standard or Master Certificates on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly and shall be given effect upon renewal of those certificates.

(Source: P.A. 92-510, eff. 6-1-02; 92-796, eff. 8-10-02; 93-81, eff. 7-2-03; 93-679, eff. 6-30-04; revised 9-20-06.)