SJ0055 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0055 LRB096 12128 NHT 24301 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, School leadership is second only to classroom instruction among school-related factors influencing student learning; and

WHEREAS, The 95th General Assembly adopted House Joint Resolution 66, which directed the State Board of Education, the Board of Higher Education, and the Office of the Governor to jointly appoint a task force to recommend a sequence of strategic steps to implement improvements in school leadership preparation in this State; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois School Leader Task Force submitted a report to the General Assembly in February of 2008 outlining specific strategic steps to reform Illinois school leader preparation programs with the goal of increasing school improvement through instructional leadership; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that based upon the recommendations set forth by the Illinois School Leader Task Force report, the State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Board of Higher Education, shall prepare legislative recommendations to restructure school leader preparation and certification programs in this State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That that these recommendations may include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) reviewing the educator certification structure to more accurately include a professional educator license to reflect essential skills required of school leaders, specifically those of pre-kindergarten through secondary school principals (PK-12);

(2) aligning redesigned programs with national principal preparation standards;

(3) increasing certification and licensure requirements to include 4 years of teaching or school service personnel experience on a valid and appropriate certificate;

(4) ensuring appropriate faculty resources;

(5) establishing quality partnerships with PK-12 school districts;

(6) strengthening candidates' internships and residencies;

(7) revising formative and summative assessments;

(8) designating principal candidates graduating from redesigned school leader preparation programs and successfully passing the State performance-based assessment to receive an endorsement specific to PK-12 principalship;

(9) enabling educators currently holding a general administrative endorsement to retain the endorsement and continue to serve as a principal;

(10) directing all institutions of higher education that prepare principals to submit their redesigned programs for State Teacher Certification Board approval no later than July of 2011; and

(11) stipulating that all principal candidates must complete a redesigned and approved principal preparation program and pass the State performance-based assessment beginning in 2013 to receive a State principal endorsement; and be it further

RESOLVED, That work will already be underway to begin the redesign; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education shall present its legislative recommendations to the General Assembly by February of 2010; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Chairperson of the State Board of Education and the Chairperson of the Board of Higher Education.