94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
SB0768


 
Introduced 2/18/2005, by Sen. Deanna Demuzio
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 		













105 ILCS 5/21-29 new






110 ILCS 205/9.30 new










    Amends the School Code.  Provides that a transition specialist certificate shall be issued to persons who, through their education and training, have a comprehensive understanding of the requirements for transition planning and of transition services for students with all types of disabilities and are aware of the array of options available to students with disabilities after they exit high school.  Provides that before the 2006-2007 academic year, the Board of Higher Education shall, in collaboration with the Interagency Coordinating Council and the Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities, develop coursework for students who want to qualify for a transition specialist certificate.  Provides that those public universities that are teacher training institutions shall implement the coursework developed by the Board beginning with the 2006-2007 academic year.  Effective immediately.
















LRB094 05094 NHT 35130 b

















FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
















 


 


A BILL FOR









 











SB0768

LRB094 05094 NHT 35130 b






1
    AN ACT concerning education.

 
2
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3
represented in the General Assembly:


 
4
    Section 5. The School Code is amended  by adding Section 
5
21-29 as follows:
 
6
    (105 ILCS 5/21-29  new)
7
    Sec. 21-29. Transition specialist certificate. A 
8
transition specialist certificate shall be issued to those 
9
applicants who meet all of the following qualifications:
10
        (1)  The person is of good character and good health and 
11
    is a citizen of the United States and at least 19 years of 
12
    age.
13
        (2)  The person, through his or her education and 
14
    training as determined by the State Superintendent of 
15
    Education in consultation with the State Teacher 
16
    Certification Board, (i) has a comprehensive understanding 
17
    of the requirements for transition planning and of 
18
    transition services for students with all types of 
19
    disabilities and (ii) is aware of the array of options 
20
    available to students with disabilities after they exit 
21
    high school, including employment and training, 
22
    post-secondary education, vocational education, 
23
    independent living, leisure skills training, and 
24
    residential choices.
25
        (3)  The person meets all other requirements 
26
    established by the State Superintendent of Education in 
27
    consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board so 
28
    that a person who holds a transition specialist certificate 
29
    is qualified to perform all of the following functions:
30
            (A)  Provide leadership and expertise to 
31
        individualized education program team members and 
32
        other school personnel as they develop and implement 
 


 






SB0768
- 2 -
LRB094 05094 NHT 35130 b




1
        transition plans for students with disabilities.
2
            (B)  Monitor the implementation of transition 
3
        services to students with disabilities.
4
            (C)  Recommend modifications to transition plans 
5
        and services for students with disabilities as deemed 
6
        necessary.
7
            (D)  Ensure that parents and guardians of students 
8
        with disabilities have the opportunity to fully 
9
        participate in and understand the transition planning 
10
        process and the provision of transition services for 
11
        their child.
12
            (E)  Be primarily responsible for the development 
13
        of additional transition resources and services for 
14
        students with disabilities in the communities served 
15
        by his or her school.
16
            (F)  Work with his or her school board and school 
17
        administration to develop policies and procedures 
18
        concerning transition planning and services, as 
19
        needed.
 
20
    Section 10. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended  by 
21
adding Section 9.30 as follows:
 
22
    (110 ILCS 205/9.30 new)

23
    Sec. 9.30. Transition specialist coursework.  Before the 
24
2006-2007 academic year, the Board shall, in collaboration with 
25
the Interagency Coordinating Council and the Advisory Council 
26
on the Education of Children with Disabilities, develop 
27
coursework for students who want to qualify for a transition 
28
specialist certificate under Section 21-29 of the School Code.  
29
Those public universities that are teacher training 
30
institutions shall implement the coursework developed by the 
31
Board beginning with the 2006-2007 academic year.

 

32
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
33
becoming law.