SB1338 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 09099 NHT 29290 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB1338

Introduced 2/18/2015, by Sen. James F. Clayborne, Jr.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/21B-35

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions setting forth the minimum requirements for educators trained in other states or countries, specifically includes applicants applying for a Professional Educator License with a principal, chief school business official, or superintendent endorsement. Effective immediately.

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 Section 21B-35 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/21B-35)

Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in other states or countries.

(a) All out-of-state applicants applying for a Professional Educator License, including without limitation a Professional Educator License with a principal, chief school business official, or superintendent endorsement, must meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Have completed a comparable state-approved education program, as defined by the State Superintendent of Education.

(2) Have a degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and the degreed major or a constructed major must directly correspond to the license or endorsement sought.

(3) Except for school service personnel prepared by out-of-state programs, have completed a minimum of one course in the methods of instruction of the exceptional child. School service personnel prepared by out-of-state programs shall meet the same requirements concerning courses in the methods of instruction of the exceptional child as in-State candidates in school service personnel areas, as defined by rules.

(4) Except for school service personnel prepared by out-of-state programs, have completed a minimum of 6 semester hours of coursework in methods of reading and reading in the content area. School service personnel prepared by out-of-state programs shall meet the same requirements concerning coursework in methods of reading and reading in the content area as in-State candidates in school service personnel areas, as defined by rules.

(5) Except for school service personnel prepared by out-of-state programs, have completed a minimum of one course in instructional strategies for English language learners. School service personnel prepared by out-of-state programs shall meet the same requirements concerning courses in instructional strategies for English language learners as in-State candidates in school service personnel areas, as defined by rules.

(6) Have successfully met all Illinois examination requirements.

(7) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent experience.

If one or more of the criteria in subsection (a) of this Section are not met, then out-of-state applicants who hold a valid, comparable certificate from another state and have passed a test of basic skills and content area test, as required by Section 21B-20 of this Code, may qualify for a provisional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, in accordance with Section 21B-20 of this Code, with the exception that an individual shall not serve as a principal or assistant principal while holding the provisional educator endorsement.

(b) In order to receive a Professional Educator License, including without limitation a Professional Educator License with a principal, chief school business official, or superintendent endorsement, applicants trained in another country must meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Have completed a comparable education program in another country.

(2) Have had transcripts evaluated by an evaluation service approved by the State Superintendent of Education.

(3) Hold a degreed major that must directly correspond to the license or endorsement sought.

(4) Have completed a minimum of one course in the methods of instruction of the exceptional child.

(5) Have completed a minimum of 6 semester hours of coursework in methods of reading and reading in the content area.

(6) Have completed a minimum of one course in instructional strategies for English language learners.

(7) Have successfully met all State licensure examination requirements.

(8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent experience.

If one or more of these criteria are not met, then an applicant trained in another country who has passed a test of basic skills and content area test, as required by Section 21B-20 of this Code, may qualify for a provisional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, with the exception that an individual shall not serve as a principal or assistant principal while holding the provisional educator endorsement.

(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 98-581, eff. 8-27-13.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.