Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of Public Act 096-0862
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Public Act 096-0862


 

Public Act 0862 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY



 


 
Public Act 096-0862
 
SB0616 Enrolled LRB096 06682 NHT 16766 b

    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
21-5a, 21-5b, 21-5c, 21-5d, and 21-5e as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 5/21-5a)  (from Ch. 122, par. 21-5a)
    Sec. 21-5a. Alternative math-science certification. The
State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
Teacher Certification Board, may shall establish and implement
an alternative certification program under which persons who
qualify for admission to, and who successfully complete the
program and meet the additional requirements established by
this Section shall be issued an initial teaching certificate
for teaching mathematics, science or mathematics and science in
grades 9 through 12 of the common schools. In establishing an
alternative certification program under this Section, the
State Board of Education shall designate an appropriate area
within the State where the program shall be offered and made
available to persons qualified for admission to the program. In
addition, the State Board of Education, in cooperation with one
or more recognized institutions of higher learning, one or more
non-profit entities, or a combination thereof, shall develop a
comprehensive course of study that persons admitted to the
program must successfully complete in order to satisfy one
criterion for issuance of an initial certificate under this
Section. The comprehensive course of study so developed shall
include one semester of practice teaching.
    An initial teaching certificate, valid for 4 years for
teaching mathematics, science or mathematics and science in
grades 9 through 12 of the common schools and renewable as
provided in Section 21-14, shall be issued under this Section
21-5a to persons who qualify for admission to the alternative
certification program and who at the time of applying for an
initial teaching certificate under this Section:
        (1) have graduated with a master's degree in
    mathematics or any science discipline from an institution
    of higher learning whose scholarship standards are
    approved by the State Board of Education for purposes of
    the alternative certification program;
        (2) have been employed for at least 10 years in an area
    requiring knowledge and practical application of their
    academic background in mathematics or a science
    discipline;
        (3) have successfully completed the alternative
    certification program and the course of comprehensive
    study, including one semester of practice teaching,
    developed as part of the program as provided in this
    Section and approved by the State Board of Education; and
        (4) have passed the examinations required by Section
    21-1a.
    The alternative certification program shall be implemented
at the commencement of the 1992-1993 academic year.
    The State Board of Education shall establish criteria for
admission to the alternative certification program and shall
adopt rules and regulations that are consistent with this
Section and that the State Board of Education deems necessary
to establish and implement the program.
    Alternative certification programs under Sections 21-5a
through 21-5e may be provided by various types of qualified
providers, including both institutions of higher education and
other providers operating independently from institutions of
higher education; provided however, that any and all programs
must be approved by the State Board of Education in accordance
with rules and regulations.
(Source: P.A. 90-548, eff. 1-1-98.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/21-5b)
    Sec. 21-5b. Alternative certification. The State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Teacher
Certification Board, shall establish and implement an
alternative certification program under which persons who meet
the requirements of and successfully complete the program
established by this Section shall be issued an alternative
teaching certificate for teaching in the schools. The program
shall be limited to not more than 260 new participants during
each year that the program is in effect. The State Board of
Education, in cooperation with one or more not-for-profit
organizations in the State that support excellence in teaching,
which may be in a partnership formed with a university that
offers 4-year baccalaureate and masters degree programs and
that is a recognized institution as defined in Section 21-21,
may and one or more not-for-profit organizations in the State
which support excellence in teaching, shall within 30 days
after submission by the program sponsor partnership approve a
course of study developed by the program sponsor partnership
that persons in the program must successfully complete in order
to satisfy one criterion for issuance of an alternative
certificate under this Section. The Alternative Teacher
Certification program course of study must include the current
content and skills contained in the university's current
courses for State certification which have been approved by the
State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
Teacher Certification Board, as meeting the requirement for
State teacher certification.
    The alternative certification program established under
this Section shall be known as the Alternative Teacher
Certification program. The Alternative Teacher Certification
Program shall be offered by the submitting partnership, and
such partnership may be offered by in conjunction with one or
more not-for-profit organizations in the State which support
excellence in teaching. The program shall be comprised of the
following 3 phases: (a) the first phase is the course of study
offered on an intensive basis in education theory,
instructional methods, and practice teaching; (b) the second
phase is the person's assignment to a full-time teaching
position for one school year; and (c) the third phase is a
comprehensive assessment of the person's teaching performance
by school officials and the partnership participants and a
recommendation by the program sponsor partner institution of
higher education to the State Board of Education that the
person be issued a standard alternative teaching certificate.
Successful completion of the Alternative Teacher Certification
program shall be deemed to satisfy any other practice or
student teaching and subject matter requirements established
by law.
    A provisional alternative teaching certificate, valid for
one year of teaching in the common schools and not renewable,
shall be issued under this Section 21-5b to persons who at the
time of applying for the provisional alternative teaching
certificate under this Section:
        (1) have graduated from an accredited college or
    university with a bachelor's degree;
        (2) have successfully completed the first phase of the
    Alternative Teacher Certification program as provided in
    this Section;
        (3) have passed the tests of basic skills and subject
    matter knowledge required by Section 21-1a; and
        (4) (i) have been employed for a period of at least 5
    years in an area requiring application of the individual's
    education or (ii) have attained at least a cumulative grade
    average of a "B" if the individual is assigned either to a
    school district that has not met the annual measurable
    objective for highly qualified teachers required by the
    Illinois Revised Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT) Plan or to
    a school district whose data filed with the State Board of
    Education indicates that the district's poor and minority
    students are taught by teachers who are not highly
    qualified at a higher rate than other students; however,
    this item (4) does not apply with respect to a provisional
    alternative teaching certificate for teaching in schools
    situated in a school district that is located in a city
    having a population in excess of 500,000 inhabitants.
    Assignment may be made under clause (ii) of this item (4)
    only if the district superintendent and the exclusive
    bargaining representative of the district's teachers, if
    any, jointly agree to permit the assignment.
    A person possessing a provisional alternative certificate
under this Section shall be treated as a regularly certified
teacher for purposes of compensation, benefits, and other terms
and conditions of employment afforded teachers in the school
who are members of a bargaining unit represented by an
exclusive bargaining representative, if any.
    Until February 15, 2000, a standard alternative teaching
certificate, valid for 4 years for teaching in the schools and
renewable as provided in Section 21-14, shall be issued under
this Section 21-5b to persons who first complete the
requirements for the provisional alternative teaching
certificate and who at the time of applying for a standard
alternative teaching certificate under this Section have
successfully completed the second and third phases of the
Alternative Teacher Certification program as provided in this
Section. Alternatively, beginning February 15, 2000, at the end
of the 4-year validity period, persons who were issued a
standard alternative teaching certificate shall be eligible,
on the same basis as holders of an Initial Teaching Certificate
issued under subsection (b) of Section 21-2 of this Code, to
apply for a Standard Teaching Certificate, provided they meet
the requirements of subsection (c) of Section 21-2 of this Code
and further provided that a person who does not apply for and
receive a Standard Teaching Certificate shall be able to teach
only in schools situated in a school district that is located
in a city having a population in excess of 500,000 inhabitants.
    Beginning February 15, 2000, persons who have completed the
requirements for a standard alternative teaching certificate
under this Section shall be issued an Initial Alternative
Teaching Certificate valid for 4 years of teaching and not
renewable. At the end of the 4-year validity period, these
persons shall be eligible, on the same basis as holders of an
Initial Teaching Certificate issued under subsection (b) of
Section 21-2 of this Code, to apply for a Standard Teaching
Certificate, provided they meet the requirements of subsection
(c) of Section 21-2.
    Such This alternative certification program shall be
implemented so that the first provisional alternative teaching
certificates issued under this Section are effective upon the
commencement of the 1997-1998 academic year and the first
standard alternative teaching certificates issued under this
Section are effective upon the commencement of the 1998-1999
academic year.
    The State Board of Education, in cooperation with the
partnership or partnerships establishing such the Alternative
Teacher Certification programs program, shall adopt rules and
regulations that are consistent with this Section and that the
State Board of Education deems necessary to establish and
implement the program.
(Source: P.A. 95-270, eff. 8-17-07.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/21-5c)
    Sec. 21-5c. Alternative route to teacher certification.
The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
Teacher Certification Board, shall establish and implement one
or more an alternative route to teacher certification programs
program under which persons who meet the requirements of and
successfully complete the programs program established by this
Section shall be issued an initial teaching certificate for
teaching in schools in this State. The State Board of Education
may shall approve a course of study that persons in such
programs the program must successfully complete in order to
satisfy one criterion for issuance of a certificate under this
Section. The Alternative Route to Teacher Certification
programs program course of study must include the current
content and skills contained in a university's current courses
for State certification which have been approved by the State
Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher
Certification Board, as meeting the requirement for State
teacher certification.
    Programs The program established under this Section shall
be known as the Alternative Route to Teacher Certification
programs program. The programs program may be offered by a
university that offers 4-year baccalaureate and masters degree
programs and that is a recognized institution as defined in
Section 21-21, by in conjunction with one or more
not-for-profit organizations in the State, or a combination
thereof. The programs program shall be comprised of the
following 3 phases: (a) a course of study offered on an
intensive basis in education theory, instructional methods,
and practice teaching; (b) the person's assignment to a
full-time teaching position for one school year, including the
designation of a mentor teacher to advise and assist the person
with that teaching assignment; and (c) a comprehensive
assessment of the person's teaching performance by school
officials and program participants and a recommendation by the
program sponsor institution of higher education to the State
Board of Education that the person be issued an initial
teaching certificate. Successful completion of the Alternative
Route to Teacher Certification programs program shall be deemed
to satisfy any other practice or student teaching and subject
matter requirements established by law.
    A provisional alternative teaching certificate, valid for
one year of teaching in the common schools and not renewable,
shall be issued under this Section 21-5c to persons who at the
time of applying for the provisional alternative teaching
certificate under this Section:
        (1) have graduated from an accredited college or
    university with a bachelor's degree;
        (2) have been employed for a period of at least 5 years
    in an area requiring application of the individual's
    education;
        (3) have successfully completed the first phase of the
    Alternative Teacher Certification program as provided in
    this Section; and
        (4) have passed the tests of basic skills and subject
    matter knowledge required by Section 21-1a.
    An initial teaching certificate, valid for teaching in the
common schools, shall be issued under Section 21-3 or 21-5 to
persons who first complete the requirements for the provisional
alternative teaching certificate and who at the time of
applying for an initial teaching certificate have successfully
completed the second and third phases of the Alternative Route
to Teacher Certification program as provided in this Section.
    A person possessing a provisional alternative certificate
or an initial teaching certificate earned under this Section
shall be treated as a regularly certified teacher for purposes
of compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of
employment afforded teachers in the school who are members of a
bargaining unit represented by an exclusive bargaining
representative, if any.
    The State Board of Education may adopt rules and
regulations that are consistent with this Section and that the
State Board deems necessary to establish and implement the
program.
(Source: P.A. 90-548, eff. 1-1-98.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/21-5d)
    Sec. 21-5d. Alternative route to administrative
certification. The State Board of Education, in consultation
with the State Teacher Certification Board and an advisory
panel consisting of no less than 7 administrators appointed by
the State Superintendent of Education, shall establish and
implement one or more an alternative route to administrative
certification program under which persons who meet the
requirements of and successfully complete the program
established by this Section shall be issued a standard
administrative certificate for serving as an administrator in
schools in this State. For the purposes of this Section only,
"administrator" means a person holding any administrative
position for which a standard administrative certificate with a
general administrative endorsement, chief school business
official endorsement, or superintendent endorsement is
required, except a principal or an assistant principal. The
State Board of Education may shall approve a course of study
that persons in the program must successfully complete in order
to satisfy one criterion for issuance of a certificate under
this Section. The Alternative Route to Administrative
Certification program course of study must include the current
content and skills contained in a university's current courses
for State certification which have been approved by the State
Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher
Certification Board, as meeting the requirement for
administrative certification.
    Programs The program established under this Section shall
be known as the Alternative Route to Administrative
Certification programs program. The programs The program shall
be comprised of the following 3 phases: (a) a course of study
offered on an intensive basis in education management,
governance, organization, and planning; (b) the person's
assignment to a full-time position for one school year as an
administrator; and (c) a comprehensive assessment of the
person's performance by school officials and a recommendation
to the State Board of Education that the person be issued a
standard administrative certificate. Successful completion of
an the Alternative Route to Administrative Certification
program shall be deemed to satisfy any other supervisory,
administrative, or management experience requirements
established by law.
    A provisional alternative administrative certificate,
valid for one year of serving as an administrator in the common
schools and not renewable, shall be issued under this Section
21-5d to persons who at the time of applying for the
provisional alternative administrative certificate under this
Section:
        (1) have graduated from an accredited college or
    university with a master's degree in a management field or
    with a bachelor's degree and the life experience equivalent
    of a master's degree in a management field as determined by
    the State Board of Education;
        (2) have been employed for a period of at least 5 years
    in a management level position;
        (3) have successfully completed the first phase of the
    Alternative Route to Administrative Certification program
    as provided in this Section; and
        (4) have passed any examination required by the State
    Board of Education.
    A standard administrative certificate with a general
administrative endorsement, chief school business official
endorsement, or superintendent endorsement, renewable as
provided in Section 21-14, shall be issued under Section 21-7.1
to persons who first complete the requirements for the
provisional alternative administrative certificate and who at
the time of applying for a standard administrative certificate
have successfully completed the second and third phases of an
the Alternative Route to Administrative Certification program
as provided in this Section.
    The State Board of Education may adopt rules and
regulations that are consistent with this Section and that the
State Board deems necessary to establish and implement those
programs the program.
(Source: P.A. 90-548, eff. 1-1-98.)
 
    (105 ILCS 5/21-5e)
    Sec. 21-5e. Alternative Route to Administrative
Certification for National Board Certified Teachers.
    (a) It shall be the policy of the State of Illinois to
improve the recruitment and preparation of instructional
leaders.
    (b) On or before July 1, 2007, the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Teacher
Certification Board, may shall establish and implement one or
more an alternative route to administrative certification for
teacher leaders, to be known as the Alternative Route to an
Administrative Certificate for National Board Certified
Teachers. "Teacher leader" means a certified teacher who has
already received National Board certification through the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and who has
a teacher leader endorsement under Section 21-7.5 of this Code.
Persons who meet the requirements of and successfully complete
a the program established by this Section shall be issued a
standard administrative certificate for serving in schools in
this State. The State Board may shall approve a course of study
that persons must successfully complete in order to satisfy one
criterion for issuance of the administrative certificate under
this Section. The Alternative Route to an Administrative
Certificate for National Board Certified Teachers must include
the current content and skills contained in a college's or
university's courses and the Illinois Professional School
Leader Standards for State certification, with the exception of
content and skills courses that contain the competency areas
and the Illinois Professional School Leader Standards that a
candidate has already demonstrated meeting met through
National Board certification or through a teacher leadership
master's degree program.
    (c) The Alternative Route to an Administrative Certificate
for National Board Certified Teachers shall be comprised of the
following 4 phases:
        (1) National Board certification and an endorsement in
    teacher leadership in accordance with Section 21-7.5 of
    this Code;
        (2) a master's degree in a teacher leader program;
        (3) 15 hours of coursework in which the candidate must
    show evidence of meeting competencies for organizational
    management and development, finance, supervision and
    evaluation, policy and legal issues, and leadership, as
    stated in the Illinois Professional School Leader
    Standards for principals; and
        (4) a passing score on the Illinois Administrator
    Assessment.
    (d) Successful completion of the Alternative Route to an
Administrative Certificate for National Board Certified
Teachers shall be deemed to satisfy all requirements to receive
an administrative certificate established by law. The State
Board shall adopt rules that are consistent with this Section
and that the State Board deems necessary for the establishment
and implementation of the program.
(Source: P.A. 94-1039, eff. 7-20-06.)
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.

Effective Date: 01/15/2010