HB5244ham001 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Computer Technology Committee

Filed: 2/9/2006

09400HB5244ham001 LRB094 19147 LJB 55776 a

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 5244

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 5244 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the I-Connect Computer Technology Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The General Assembly finds that in the modern, knowledge-based economy of the 21st century it is critical that all students have access to modern educational technology. The General Assembly further finds that universal access to portable computers has been found to increase student assessment test scores and encourage student and parent collaborations in learning. It is the duty of the State to provide new ways to equalize and advance educational opportunities for all students in public schools. In order to meet the goal of universal access to modern educational technology, the General Assembly finds it necessary to provide students in public schools with access to portable computers.

Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:

"Board" means the I-Connect Computer Technology Board.

"ISBE" means the Illinois State Board of Education.

"Low income student" means a pupil aged 3 to 17, inclusive, who is (i) from a family receiving public aid, (ii) living in an institution for neglected or delinquent children, (iii) being supported in a foster home with public funds, or (iv) eligible to receive free or reduced-price lunches.

"Program" means the I-Connect Computer Technology Program.

Section 15. I-Connect Computer Technology Program.

(a) The Illinois State Board of Education shall, by rule and with the advice of the I-Connect Computer Technology Board, establish and implement the I-Connect Computer Technology Program, which must meet all of the following standards:

(1) Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year and each school year thereafter, each student entering 7th grade who attends a public school meeting the criteria established in Sections 22 and 23 of this Act shall receive a portable computer. Additionally, each teacher teaching 7th grade students in a classroom at a public school shall receive a portable computer. Portable computers shall be delivered to each school district and shall become the property of the school district. School districts are responsible for distributing the computers to students and for establishing rules for student use of the computers. Each portable computer must include software and other learning technologies capable of being used in a classroom environment.

(2) Each school taking part in the I-Connect Computer Technology Program shall receive teacher technology training and professional development. Teachers that take part in technology training courses, seminars, or other related courses of instruction may credit that time towards their continuing professional development requirement, pursuant to Section 21-14 of the School Code. Professional development provided in accordance with this Act must be sufficient to ensure optimal use of software and other learning technologies associated with using portable computers.

(3) A statewide or regional plan for external and internal network and technical support must be created to allow for contracts for technical support with private businesses, colleges or universities, or not-for-profit corporations.

(4) A set-aside funding mechanism must be established to cover the costs of replacement portable computers and parts. Nothing in this Section shall preclude a contract with a vendor that places the financial duty on the vendor to cover those costs in part or in whole.

(b) ISBE is authorized to enter into contracts and memorandums of understanding with private parties and other State agencies to carry out its functions under this Act. ISBE shall establish a competitive procurement process for the selection of vendors for the purchase of portable computers and related technical support and professional development. Each Regional Office of Education shall select one vendor that has responded to ISBE's procurement process for the purchase of portable computers and related technical support and professional development for program recipients in its region.

Section 20. I-Connect Computer Technology Board.

(a) There is created the I-Connect Computer Technology Board. The Board shall be comprised of 10 members as follows: the Lieutenant Governor; 5 members appointed by the Governor; and one member appointed by the President of the Senate, one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(b) Each of the Governor's appointees must have a background in at least one of the following areas:

(1) computer technical support;

(2) education administration at the grade K through 12 level;

(3) teaching 6th through 12th grade students;

(4) community outreach; or

(5) the Illinois Century Network or other means of accessing the internet in schools.

(c) All members shall serve 4-year terms, except that members appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the vacated term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment.

(d) Board members shall receive no compensation other than reimbursement for necessary travel expenses, which shall be reimbursed by ISBE.

Section 22. Program participants.

(a) Subject to appropriation, participation for each school year shall be limited to (i) no more than 2 public schools in each Regional Office of Education region, (ii) no more than 30 schools in non-Chicago Cook County, and (iii) 30 schools in Chicago. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit the number of schools that may apply for the Program.

(b) Priority shall be given to those schools where at least 40% of the students are low income students, as defined in Section 10 of this Act.

(c) All participating schools must comply with requests from ISBE and the Board for information relating to the annual report requirement of Section 25 of this Act.

(d) All participating schools shall designate at least one teacher or administrator who shall coordinate with ISBE and the Board and have the primary responsibility for ensuring that computers are being used and maintained.

Section 23. Application

(a) No later than 30 days after a majority of members of the Board are appointed, an application shall be developed by the Board and mailed to the principal of every public school in Illinois that educates 7th grade students.

(b) The application shall, at a minimum, contain all of the following:

(1) A deadline for returning to application for entrance into the Program.

(2) An inquiry into the adequacy of the school's infrastructure to manage the computers.

(3) A requirement to provide the name of the school coordinator required under Section 22 of this Act.

Section 25. Annual Report. By no later than July 1st of each year, the Board, in conjunction with ISBE, shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the members of the General Assembly on the progress of the I-Connect Computer Technology Program. The report must include, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1) The number of students receiving portable computers.

(2) An accounting of all State, local, and federal funds used to implement the Program.

(3) A projection for the cost of implementing the Program in the next school year.

(4) The identification of software included on computers provided under the Program.

(5) The academic progress of the students using the computers.

(6) If available, a comparison of academic progress between those students using the computers in a specific curriculum and those who are not.

(7) The quality and quantity of increased student proficiency with technology.

(8) Teacher involvement and performance.

(9) Of those students taking the computer home, the number of households in which persons other than the student use the computer.

(10) Recommendations for Program improvement.

Section 30. I-Connect Computer Technology Fund.

(a) The I-Connect Computer Technology Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All funds deposited into the I-Connect Computer Technology Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by ISBE for the purposes of this Act.

(b) ISBE may use any funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the purposes of the I-Connect Computer Technology Program, as well as any gift, grant, or donation given for the I-Connect Computer Technology Program. ISBE may solicit and accept a gift, grant, or donation of any kind from any source, including from a foundation, private entity, governmental entity, or institution of higher education, for the implementation of the I-Connect Computer Technology Program.

Section 35. Local authority. It is the sole duty of school districts, school administrators, and school teachers to make decisions relating to the use of portable computers provided under this Act, including determining: (i) standards for allowing students to take computers off school property; (ii) the courses or curriculums best suited for the computers; and (iii) the use of particular software or learning technologies.

Section 90. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.663 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.663 new)

Sec. 5.663. The I-Connect Computer Technology Fund.

Section 95. The School Code is amended by changing Section 21-14 as follows:

(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) 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) 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; .

(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; or .

(O) participation in training courses, seminars, or other course of instruction that develop the technology skills of the teacher or that provide the teacher with skills for integration of technology into the classroom.

(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.)

Section 98. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding Section 8.30 as follows:

(30 ILCS 805/8.30 new)

Sec. 8.30. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.

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