101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB0355

 

Introduced , by Rep. Mark Batinick

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/21B-45

    Amends the School Code. With regard to a Professional Educator License renewal, provides that, beginning with the next 5-year renewal cycle after the effective date of the amendatory Act, no less than 15 of the 120 required hours of professional development must include training on inclusive practices in the classroom that examines instructional and behavioral strategies that improve academic and social-emotional outcomes for all students, with or without disabilities, in a general education setting.


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A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section
521B-45 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/21B-45)
7    Sec. 21B-45. Professional Educator License renewal.
8    (a) Individuals holding a Professional Educator License
9are required to complete the licensure renewal requirements as
10specified in this Section, unless otherwise provided in this
11Code.
12    Individuals holding a Professional Educator License shall
13meet the renewal requirements set forth in this Section, unless
14otherwise provided in this Code. If an individual holds a
15license endorsed in more than one area that has different
16renewal requirements, that individual shall follow the renewal
17requirements for the position for which he or she spends the
18majority of his or her time working.
19    (b) All Professional Educator Licenses not renewed as
20provided in this Section shall lapse on September 1 of that
21year. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, if
22a license holder's electronic mail address is available, the
23State Board of Education shall send him or her notification

 

 

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1electronically that his or her license will lapse if not
2renewed, to be sent no more than 6 months prior to the license
3lapsing. 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 or on January 1 of
18the fiscal year following initial issuance of the license. An
19unregistered license is invalid after September 1 for
20employment and performance of services in an Illinois public or
21State-operated school or cooperative and in a charter school.
22Any license or endorsement may be voluntarily surrendered by
23the license holder. A voluntarily surrendered license, except a
24substitute teaching license issued under Section 21B-20 of this
25Code, shall be treated as a revoked license. An Educator
26License with Stipulations with only a paraprofessional

 

 

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1endorsement does not lapse.
2    (c) From July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, in order to
3satisfy the requirements for licensure renewal provided for in
4this Section, each professional educator licensee with an
5administrative endorsement who is working in a position
6requiring such endorsement shall complete one Illinois
7Administrators' Academy course, as described in Article 2 of
8this Code, per fiscal year.
9    (d) Beginning July 1, 2014, in order to satisfy the
10requirements for licensure renewal provided for in this
11Section, each professional educator licensee may create a
12professional development plan each year. The plan shall address
13one or more of the endorsements that are required of his or her
14educator position if the licensee is employed and performing
15services in an Illinois public or State-operated school or
16cooperative. If the licensee is employed in a charter school,
17the plan shall address that endorsement or those endorsements
18most closely related to his or her educator position. Licensees
19employed and performing services in any other Illinois schools
20may participate in the renewal requirements by adhering to the
21same process.
22    Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the
23licensee's professional development activities shall align
24with one or more of the following criteria:
25        (1) activities are of a type that engage participants
26    over a sustained period of time allowing for analysis,

 

 

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1    discovery, and application as they relate to student
2    learning, social or emotional achievement, or well-being;
3        (2) professional development aligns to the licensee's
4    performance;
5        (3) outcomes for the activities must relate to student
6    growth or district improvement;
7        (4) activities align to State-approved standards; and
8        (5) higher education coursework.
9    (e) For each renewal cycle, each professional educator
10licensee shall engage in professional development activities.
11Prior to renewal, the licensee shall enter electronically into
12the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) the name,
13date, and location of the activity, the number of professional
14development hours, and the provider's name. The following
15provisions shall apply concerning professional development
16activities:
17        (1) Each licensee shall complete a total of 120 hours
18    of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in
19    order to renew the license, except as otherwise provided in
20    this Section. Beginning with the next 5-year renewal cycle
21    after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the
22    101st General Assembly, no less than 15 of the 120 hours of
23    professional development must include training on
24    inclusive practices in the classroom that examines
25    instructional and behavioral strategies that improve
26    academic and social-emotional outcomes for all students,

 

 

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1    with or without disabilities, in a general education
2    setting.
3        (2) Beginning with his or her first full 5-year cycle,
4    any licensee with an administrative endorsement who is not
5    working in a position requiring such endorsement is not
6    required to complete Illinois Administrators' Academy
7    courses, as described in Article 2 of this Code. Such
8    licensees must complete one Illinois Administrators'
9    Academy course within one year after returning to a
10    position that requires the administrative endorsement.
11        (3) Any licensee with an administrative endorsement
12    who is working in a position requiring such endorsement or
13    an individual with a Teacher Leader endorsement serving in
14    an administrative capacity at least 50% of the day shall
15    complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course, as
16    described in Article 2 of this Code, each fiscal year in
17    addition to 100 hours of professional development per
18    5-year renewal cycle in accordance with this Code.
19        (4) Any licensee holding a current National Board for
20    Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) master teacher
21    designation shall complete a total of 60 hours of
22    professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in order
23    to renew the license.
24        (5) Licensees working in a position that does not
25    require educator licensure or working in a position for
26    less than 50% for any particular year are considered to be

 

 

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1    exempt and shall be required to pay only the registration
2    fee in order to renew and maintain the validity of the
3    license.
4        (6) Licensees who are retired and qualify for benefits
5    from a State of Illinois retirement system shall notify the
6    State Board of Education using ELIS, and the license shall
7    be maintained in retired status. For any renewal cycle in
8    which a licensee retires during the renewal cycle, the
9    licensee must complete professional development activities
10    on a prorated basis depending on the number of years during
11    the renewal cycle the educator held an active license. If a
12    licensee retires during a renewal cycle, the licensee must
13    notify the State Board of Education using ELIS that the
14    licensee wishes to maintain the license in retired status
15    and must show proof of completion of professional
16    development activities on a prorated basis for all years of
17    that renewal cycle for which the license was active. An
18    individual with a license in retired status shall not be
19    required to complete professional development activities
20    or pay registration fees until returning to a position that
21    requires educator licensure. Upon returning to work in a
22    position that requires the Professional Educator License,
23    the licensee shall immediately pay a registration fee and
24    complete renewal requirements for that year. A license in
25    retired status cannot lapse. Beginning on January 6, 2017
26    (the effective date of Public Act 99-920) through December

 

 

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1    31, 2017, any licensee who has retired and whose license
2    has lapsed for failure to renew as provided in this Section
3    may reinstate that license and maintain it in retired
4    status upon providing proof to the State Board of Education
5    using ELIS that the licensee is retired and is not working
6    in a position that requires a Professional Educator
7    License.
8        (7) For any renewal cycle in which professional
9    development hours were required, but not fulfilled, the
10    licensee shall complete any missed hours to total the
11    minimum professional development hours required in this
12    Section prior to September 1 of that year. Professional
13    development hours used to fulfill the minimum required
14    hours for a renewal cycle may be used for only one renewal
15    cycle. For any fiscal year or renewal cycle in which an
16    Illinois Administrators' Academy course was required but
17    not completed, the licensee shall complete any missed
18    Illinois Administrators' Academy courses prior to
19    September 1 of that year. The licensee may complete all
20    deficient hours and Illinois Administrators' Academy
21    courses while continuing to work in a position that
22    requires that license until September 1 of that year.
23        (8) Any licensee who has not fulfilled the professional
24    development renewal requirements set forth in this Section
25    at the end of any 5-year renewal cycle is ineligible to
26    register his or her license and may submit an appeal to the

 

 

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1    State Superintendent of Education for reinstatement of the
2    license.
3        (9) If professional development opportunities were
4    unavailable to a licensee, proof that opportunities were
5    unavailable and request for an extension of time beyond
6    August 31 to complete the renewal requirements may be
7    submitted from April 1 through June 30 of that year to the
8    State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. If an
9    extension is approved, the license shall remain valid
10    during the extension period.
11        (10) Individuals who hold exempt licenses prior to
12    December 27, 2013 (the effective date of Public Act 98-610)
13    shall commence the annual renewal process with the first
14    scheduled registration due after December 27, 2013 (the
15    effective date of Public Act 98-610).
16        (11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
17    subsection (e), if a licensee earns more than the required
18    number of professional development hours during a renewal
19    cycle, then the licensee may carry over any hours earned
20    from April 1 through June 30 of the last year of the
21    renewal cycle. Any hours carried over in this manner must
22    be applied to the next renewal cycle. Illinois
23    Administrators' Academy courses or hours earned in those
24    courses may not be carried over.
25    (f) At the time of renewal, each licensee shall respond to
26the required questions under penalty of perjury.

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1districts, which shall be audited by regional offices of
2education and intermediate service centers. The State Board of
3Education shall ensure that each approved provider, except for
4a school district, is audited at least once every 5 years. The
5State Board of Education may conduct more frequent audits of
6providers if evidence suggests the requirements of this Section
7or administrative rules are not being met. The State Board of
8Education shall complete random audits of licensees.
9        (1) (Blank).
10        (2) Approved providers shall comply with the
11    requirements in subsections (h) and (i) of this Section by
12    annually submitting data to the State Board of Education
13    demonstrating how the professional development activities
14    impacted one or more of the following:
15            (A) educator and student growth in regards to
16        content knowledge or skills, or both;
17            (B) educator and student social and emotional
18        growth; or
19            (C) alignment to district or school improvement
20        plans.
21        (3) The State Superintendent of Education shall review
22    the annual data collected by the State Board of Education,
23    regional offices of education, and intermediate service
24    centers in audits to determine if the approved provider has
25    met the criteria and should continue to be an approved
26    provider or if further action should be taken as provided

 

 

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

 

 

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1be renewed based upon failure to complete the requirements of
2this Section. A licensee may appeal that decision to the State
3Educator Preparation and Licensure Board in a manner prescribed
4by rule.
5        (1) Each appeal shall state the reasons why the State
6    Superintendent's decision should be reversed and shall be
7    sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
8    State Board of Education.
9        (2) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
10    shall review each appeal regarding renewal of a license
11    within 90 days after receiving the appeal in order to
12    determine whether the licensee has met the requirements of
13    this Section. The State Educator Preparation and Licensure
14    Board may hold an appeal hearing or may make its
15    determination based upon the record of review, which shall
16    consist of the following:
17            (A) the regional superintendent of education's
18        rationale for recommending nonrenewal of the license,
19        if applicable;
20            (B) any evidence submitted to the State
21        Superintendent along with the individual's electronic
22        statement of assurance for renewal; and
23            (C) the State Superintendent's rationale for
24        nonrenewal of the license.
25        (3) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
26    shall notify the licensee of its decision regarding license

 

 

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1    renewal by certified mail, return receipt requested, no
2    later than 30 days after reaching a decision. Upon receipt
3    of notification of renewal, the licensee, using ELIS, shall
4    pay the applicable registration fee for the next cycle
5    using a form of credit or debit card.
6    (n) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as may be
7necessary to implement this Section.
8(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-130, eff. 7-24-15;
999-591, eff. 1-1-17; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17;
10100-13, eff. 7-1-17; 100-339, eff. 8-25-17; 100-596, eff.
117-1-18; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)