HB4206 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 15864 AXK 30975 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB4206

Introduced , by Rep. Thomas M. Bennett

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/21B-35

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Allows for the issuance of a Professional Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school support personnel area to an applicant who has not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education if he or she provides evidence of completing a comparable state-approved educator preparation program, as defined by the State Superintendent of Education, among other conditions. 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 applicants who have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education applying for a Professional Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school support personnel area must meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Provide evidence of completing a comparable state-approved educator preparation program, as defined by the State Superintendent of Education, or hold Hold a comparable and valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another state. The State Board of Education shall have the authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another state. A comparable educator license or certificate is one that demonstrates that the license or certificate holder meets similar requirements as candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program in teaching or school support personnel areas concerning coursework aligned to standards concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in the content area, and instructional strategies for English learners. An applicant who holds a comparable and valid educator license or certificate from another state must submit verification to the State Board of Education that the applicant has completed coursework concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in the content area, and instructional strategies for English learners.

(2) Have a degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

(3) (Blank).

(4) (Blank).

(5) (Blank).

(6) Have successfully met all Illinois examination requirements. Applicants who have successfully completed a test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state shall not be required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state shall not be required to complete a test of content. Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state shall not be required to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness.

(7) For applicants for a teaching endorsement, have completed student teaching or an equivalent experience or, for applicants for a school service personnel endorsement, have completed an internship or an equivalent experience.

If one or more of the criteria in this subsection (a) are not met, then applicants who have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education who hold a valid, comparable certificate from another state may qualify for a provisional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, in accordance with Section 21B-20 of this Code.

(b) In order to receive a Professional Educator License endorsed in a teaching field, 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) Have a degree comparable to a degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

(4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in the content area, and instructional strategies for English learners.

(5) (Blank).

(6) (Blank).

(7) Have successfully met all State licensure examination requirements. Applicants who have successfully completed a test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another country shall not be required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another country shall not be required to complete a test of content. Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another country shall not be required to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness.

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

(b-5) All applicants who have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education and applicants trained in another country applying for a Professional Educator License endorsed for principal or superintendent must meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Have completed an educator preparation program approved by another state or comparable educator program in another country leading to the receipt of a license or certificate for the Illinois endorsement sought.

(2) Have successfully met all State licensure examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code. Applicants who have successfully completed a test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state or country shall not be required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state or country shall not be required to complete a test of content.

(3) (Blank).

(4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in the content area, and instructional strategies for English learners.

(5) Have completed a master's degree.

(6) Have successfully completed teaching, school support, or administrative experience as defined by rule.

A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a superintendent or principal may be affixed to an Educator License with Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of this Code.

(b-7) All applicants who have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education applying for a Professional Educator License endorsed for Director of Special Education must meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Have completed a master's degree.

(2) Have 2 years of full-time experience providing special education services.

(3) Have successfully completed all examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code. Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state or country shall not be required to complete a test of content.

(4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in the content area, and instructional strategies for English learners.

A provisional educator endorsement to serve as Director of Special Education may be affixed to an Educator License with Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of this Code.

(b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher education applying for a Professional Educator License endorsed for chief school business official must meet all of the following requirements:

(1) Have completed a master's degree in school business management, finance, or accounting.

(2) Have successfully completed an internship in school business management or have 2 years of experience as a school business administrator.

(3) Have successfully met all State examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code. Applicants who have successfully completed a test of content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state or country shall not be required to complete a test of content.

(4) Have completed modules aligned to standards concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional child, methods of reading and reading in the content area, and instructional strategies for English learners.

A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a chief school business official may be affixed to an Educator License with Stipulations.

(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. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-13, eff. 7-1-17.)

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