HB3147 EngrossedLRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Findings. The General Assembly makes all of the
5following findings:
6        (1) Literacy is not only critical for individuals'
7    ability to earn income, secure housing, participate in
8    their healthcare, support their children's education,
9    pursue happiness, and navigate the world but also
10    collectively foundational to our community and democracy.
11        (2) The World Literacy Foundation found that low
12    literacy is a major contributor to inequality and
13    increases the likelihood of poor physical and mental
14    health, workplace accidents, misuse of medication,
15    participation in crime, and welfare dependency, all of
16    which have substantial additional social and economic
17    costs.
18        (3) Fifty percent of Illinois' third graders met,
19    exceeded, or approached learning standards in English
20    language arts according to the Illinois Assessment of
21    Readiness with the other half of students not meeting or
22    partially meeting standards; this represents a 10
23    percentage-point swing from the 2019 pre-pandemic rates
24    when 60% of students met, exceeded, or approached learning

 

 

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1    standards.
2        (4) Thirty-three percent of Illinois' fourth graders
3    achieved proficient or advanced reading scores on the 2022
4    National Assessment of Educational Progress with another
5    29% meeting basic reading proficiency and the remaining
6    38% scoring below basic reading proficiency.
7        (5) Research from the Annie E. Casey Institute found
8    that students who are not proficient readers in third
9    grade are 4 times more likely not to finish high school; if
10    those students are from low-income families, they are more
11    than 6 times more likely not to finish high school.
12        (6) Research consistently finds that a diverse,
13    well-trained, and expanding pool of teachers, in
14    conjunction with curricula responsive to the strengths and
15    needs of diverse student populations, improves educational
16    outcomes for all students.
17        (7) An appropriate curriculum blends the learning
18    needs of students with their developmental needs and
19    increases in complexity with every new stage of childhood.
20        (8) Oral language development is a prerequisite for
21    reading and writing that is nurtured from birth through
22    talking, reading, story-telling, singing, nursery rhymes,
23    and other language exposure and, as younger children
24    develop, through intentional dialogue with rich
25    vocabulary; home visiting programs, access to books,
26    high-quality childcare and preschool, and lived

 

 

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1    experiences strengthen students' opportunity to build
2    oracy skills, vocabulary, and background knowledge,
3    leading to higher-level cognitive thinking.
4        (9) Reading builds new neural pathways in the brain as
5    people, usually children, learn to connect the sounds in
6    language to letters on a page to the meaning of the text;
7    however, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to
8    literacy, as learners will require different dosages
9    within different areas of literacy instruction to meet
10    their individual needs.
11        (10) Reading and writing have a reciprocal
12    relationship, as each strengthens the other, and students
13    benefit when their instruction is closely intertwined.
14        (11) English learners benefit from a comprehensive
15    literacy approach that recognizes the value of
16    multilingualism by enveloping all areas of literacy
17    instruction with a deep focus on oral language development
18    and encouraging students to make connections between
19    English and their home language.
20        (12) Teachers deserve the tools to be knowledgeable
21    about the cultural practices and language system of the
22    children they serve, including those children who speak
23    language variations of English, such as African-American
24    English (AAE); AAE has a linguistic structure that is a
25    systematic and rule-governed variation of General American
26    English.

 

 

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1        (13) Research shows that direct, systematic,
2    cumulative, and explicit reading instruction that is
3    focused on the foundational reading skills of phonemic
4    awareness, phonics or decoding, spelling or encoding,
5    vocabulary development that includes morphology, oral
6    language development, reading fluency, and reading
7    comprehension that includes syntax and building background
8    or content knowledge, is highly effective in teaching
9    young children to read.
10        (14) High literacy achievement across all demographic
11    groups is an essential indicator of educational equity
12    within this State; strengthening early literacy
13    instruction and support for students in Illinois will pay
14    dividends in the future by empowering students, providing
15    the skills they will need to graduate, find fulfilling
16    careers, and be productive members of their communities
17    and of our democracy.
18        (15) Ensuring that every child has access to
19    high-quality, research-aligned, developmentally
20    appropriate reading instruction implemented using a
21    comprehensive approach is a foundational component of this
22    State's public education system and a responsibility
23    shared among federal, State, and local education agencies.
 
24    Section 5. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
25Literacy and Justice for All Act.
 

 

 

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1    Section 10. State Board of Education assistance;
2comprehensive literacy plan.
3    (a) The State Board of Education shall adopt and make
4available all of the following to each publicly funded school
5district by January 31, 2024:
6        (1) A rubric by which districts may evaluate curricula
7    and select and implement evidence-based, culturally
8    inclusive core reading instruction programs. The rubric
9    shall address at a minimum:
10            (A) systematic and explicit approaches to phonemic
11        awareness, decoding (phonics), and encoding(spelling);
12            (B) vocabulary development, including morphology,
13        and reading fluency;
14            (C) oral language development;
15            (D) reading comprehension, including syntax and
16        building background (content) knowledge; and
17            (E) cultural inclusivity.
18        (2) A template to support districts when developing
19    comprehensive, district-wide literacy plans that include
20    support for special student populations, including
21    multilingual, diverse, and gifted students.
22        (3) Guidance on evidence-based practices for effective
23    structures for training and deploying literacy coaches to
24    support teachers and close opportunity gaps among student
25    demographic groups.

 

 

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1    (b) On or before September 1, 2024, the State Board of
2Education shall develop and make available training
3opportunities in teaching reading aligned with the
4comprehensive literacy plan described in subsection (c) of
5this Section and consistent with State learning standards.
6This support shall include:
7        (1) development of a microcredential or a series of
8    microcredentials in literacy instruction aligned with the
9    comprehensive literacy plan described in subsection (c) of
10    this Section to be affixed to educator licenses upon
11    successful demonstration of the skill, completion of the
12    required coursework or assessment, or both;
13        (2) creation and dissemination of a tool that school
14    districts, educators, and the public may use to evaluate
15    professional development and training programs related to
16    literacy instruction; and
17        (3) development of online training modules on literacy
18    instruction aligned with the comprehensive literacy plan
19    described in subsection (c) of this Section and consistent
20    with State learning standards accepted for continuing
21    professional development units.
22    (c) On or before January 31, 2024, in consultation with
23education stakeholders, the State Board Education shall
24develop and adopt a comprehensive literacy plan for this
25State, which shall be updated as needed. The plan shall, at a
26minimum:

 

 

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1        (1) include definitions for key terminology, such as
2    "evidence-based";
3        (2) contextualize the interaction between elements of
4    the plan and existing laws and regulations that have
5    overlapping components, such as a multi-tiered system of
6    support;
7        (3) focus on a comprehensive range of elements of
8    literacy, including phonemic awareness, decoding
9    (phonics), encoding (spelling), vocabulary development
10    including morphology, oracy, reading fluency, and reading
11    comprehension including syntax and background and content
12    knowledge;
13        (4) recommend parameters by which each school district
14    or, if applicable, school, to list on its website the
15    literacy curricula used in general education classrooms;
16    and
17        (5) consider core instructional literacy practices as
18    well as practices that are specific to special student
19    populations and demographic groups, such as diverse
20    learners, multilingual learners, and bidialectal students.
21    The State Board shall annually compile and post on its
22website information about progress on the comprehensive
23literacy plan.
 
24    Section 90. The School Code is amended by changing
25Sections 2-3.51, 21B-20, 21B-30, and 21B-35 as follows:
 

 

 

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1    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.51)  (from Ch. 122, par. 2-3.51)
2    Sec. 2-3.51. Reading Improvement Block Grant Program. To
3improve the reading and study skills of children from
4kindergarten through sixth grade in school districts. The
5State Board of Education is authorized to administer a Reading
6Improvement Block Grant Program. As used in this Section:
7    "School district" includes those schools designated as
8"laboratory schools".
9    "Scientifically based reading research" means the
10application of rigorous, systematic, and objective procedures
11to obtain valid knowledge relevant to reading development,
12reading instruction, and reading difficulties. The term
13includes research that employs systematic, empirical methods
14that draw on observation or experiment, involves rigorous data
15analysis that is adequate to test the stated hypotheses and to
16justify the general conclusions drawn, relies on measurements
17or observational methods that provide valid data across
18evaluators and observers and across multiple measurements and
19observations, and has been accepted by peer-reviewed journal
20or approved by a panel of independent experts through a
21comparably rigorous, objective and scientific review.
22    (a) Funds for the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program
23shall be distributed to school districts on the following
24basis: 70% of monies shall be awarded on the prior year's best
253 months average daily attendance and 30% shall be distributed

 

 

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1on the number of economically disadvantaged (E.C.I.A. Chapter
2I) pupils in the district, provided that the State Board may
3distribute an amount not to exceed 2% of the monies
4appropriated for the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program
5for the purpose of providing teacher training and re-training
6in the teaching of reading. Program funds shall be distributed
7to school districts in 2 semi-annual installments, one payment
8on or before October 30, and one payment prior to April 30, of
9each year. The State Board shall promulgate rules and
10regulations necessary for the implementation of this program.
11    If the appropriation for the Reading Improvement Block
12Grant Program for a given fiscal year is less than
13$15,000,000, then the State Board shall limit eligibility to
14school districts that have been placed in Tier 1 or Tier 2
15pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (g) of Section 18-8.15
16of this Code that request funding and are selected for either:
17        (1) a one-year planning grant to enable districts to
18    thoughtfully draft literacy plans in alignment with the
19    district literacy plan template developed by the Board
20    pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Section 10
21    of the Literacy and Justice for All Act; or
22        (2) an implementation grant to enable districts that
23    have drafted comprehensive district literacy plans to
24    enact their plan, which must include training and ongoing
25    coaching support to each teacher of students in
26    kindergarten through grade 2 and special education

 

 

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1    teachers and curriculum investments aligned with
2    provisions of the comprehensive literacy plan for this
3    State.
4    If the funds requested in districts' applications exceed
5the appropriation, the Board shall impose additional criteria
6so that each applicant is able to enact its plan.
7Programs provided with grant funds shall not replace quality
8classroom reading instruction, but shall instead supplement
9such instruction.
10    (a-5) Reading Improvement Block Grant Program funds shall
11be used by school districts in the following manner:
12        (1) to hire reading specialists, reading teachers, and
13    reading aides in order to provide early reading
14    intervention in kindergarten through grade 2 and programs
15    of continued reading support for students in grades 3
16    through 6;
17        (2) in kindergarten through grade 2, to establish
18    short-term tutorial early reading intervention programs
19    for children who are at risk of failing to learn to read;
20    these programs shall (i) focus on scientifically based
21    research and best practices with proven long-term results,
22    (ii) identify students in need of help no later than the
23    middle of first grade, (iii) provide ongoing training for
24    teachers in the program, (iv) focus instruction on
25    strengthening a student's phonemic awareness, phonics,
26    fluency, and comprehension skills, (v) provide a means to

 

 

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1    document and evaluate student growth, and (vi) provide
2    properly trained staff;
3        (3) to continue direct reading instruction for grades
4    3 through 6;
5        (4) in grades 3 through 6, to establish programs of
6    support for students who demonstrate a need for continued
7    assistance in learning to read and in maintaining reading
8    achievement; these programs shall (i) focus on
9    scientifically based research and best practices with
10    proven long-term results, (ii) provide ongoing training
11    for teachers and other staff members in the program, (iii)
12    focus instruction on strengthening a student's phonics,
13    fluency, and comprehension skills in grades 3 through 6,
14    (iv) provide a means to evaluate and document student
15    growth, and (v) provide properly trained staff;
16        (5) in grades K through 6, to provide both core
17    literacy curriculum materials that align with the
18    comprehensive literacy plan for this State and that
19    consider the unique needs of English learners for
20    concurrent oral language practice and high-quality
21    screening assessments designed to inform instruction in
22    English language arts and literacy classroom reading
23    materials for students; each district may allocate up to
24    25% of the funds for this purpose; and
25        (6) to provide a long-term professional development
26    program for classroom teachers, administrators, and other

 

 

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1    appropriate staff; the program shall (i) focus on
2    scientifically based research and best practices with
3    proven long-term results, (ii) provide a means to evaluate
4    student progress in reading as a result of the training,
5    (iii) and be provided by approved staff development
6    providers.
7    If the appropriation for the Reading Improvement Block
8Grant Program for a given fiscal year is less than
9$15,000,000, then grant recipients shall prioritize curricula
10and materials, training, and ongoing coaching support in
11alignment with the comprehensive literacy plan of this State
12for kindergarten through grade 3 teachers and special
13education teachers.
14    (a-10) If the appropriation for the Reading Improvement
15Block Grant Program for a given fiscal year is at least
16$15,000,000, then Reading Improvement Block Grant Program
17funds shall be made available to each eligible school district
18submitting an approved application developed by the State
19Board beginning with the 1998-99 school year. Applications
20shall include a proposed assessment method or methods for
21measuring the reading growth of students who receive direct
22instruction as a result of the funding and the impact of staff
23development activities on student growth in reading. Such
24methods may include the reading portion of the assessments
25required under Section 2-3.64a-5 of this Code. At the end of
26each school year the district shall report performance of

 

 

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1progress results to the State Board. Districts not
2demonstrating performance progress using an approved
3assessment method shall not be eligible for funding in the
4third or subsequent years until such progress is established.
5If the program has been unfunded for 3 years or more,
6applicants need not demonstrate performance progress as a
7condition of receiving a one-year planning grant or their
8first year of funding an implementation grant.
9    If the appropriation for the Reading Improvement Block
10Grant Program for a given fiscal year is less than
11$15,000,000, then the State Board may establish additional
12eligibility criteria and shall select a cohort of school
13districts that have been placed in Tier 1 or Tier 2 pursuant to
14paragraph (3) of subsection (g) of Section 18-8.15 of this
15Code to participate.
16    (a-15) The State Superintendent of Education, in
17cooperation with the school districts participating in the
18program, shall annually report to the leadership of the
19General Assembly on the results of the Reading Improvement
20Block Grant Program and the progress being made on improving
21the reading skills of students in kindergarten through the
22sixth grade.
23    (b) (Blank).
24    (c) (Blank).
25    (d) Grants under the Reading Improvement Block Grant
26Program shall be awarded provided there is an appropriation

 

 

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1for the program, and funding levels for each district shall be
2prorated according to the amount of the appropriation for any
3fiscal year in which at least $15,000,000 has been
4appropriated.
5    (e) (Blank).
6    (f) (Blank).
7(Source: P.A. 98-972, eff. 8-15-14.)
 
8    (105 ILCS 5/21B-20)
9    Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. The State Board of
10Education shall implement a system of educator licensure,
11whereby individuals employed in school districts who are
12required to be licensed must have one of the following
13licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii) an
14educator license with stipulations; (iii) a substitute
15teaching license; or (iv) until June 30, 2023, a short-term
16substitute teaching license. References in law regarding
17individuals certified or certificated or required to be
18certified or certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall
19also include individuals licensed or required to be licensed
20under this Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June
2130 following one full year of the license being issued.
22    The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
23State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
24rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for
25licenses and endorsements under this Section.

 

 

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1        (1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i)
2    have successfully completed an approved educator
3    preparation program and are recommended for licensure by
4    the Illinois institution offering the educator preparation
5    program, (ii) have successfully completed the required
6    testing under Section 21B-30 of this Code, (iii) have
7    successfully completed coursework on the psychology of,
8    the identification of, and the methods of instruction for
9    the exceptional child, including without limitation
10    children with learning disabilities, (iv) have
11    successfully completed coursework in evidence-based
12    methods of reading that align with the literacy standards
13    for teachers and with the comprehensive literacy plan for
14    this State and reading in the content area, and (v) have
15    met all other criteria established by rule of the State
16    Board of Education shall be issued a Professional Educator
17    License. All Professional Educator Licenses are valid
18    until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the license
19    being issued. The Professional Educator License shall be
20    endorsed with specific areas and grade levels in which the
21    individual is eligible to practice. For an early childhood
22    education endorsement, an individual may satisfy the
23    student teaching requirement of his or her early childhood
24    teacher preparation program through placement in a setting
25    with children from birth through grade 2, and the
26    individual may be paid and receive credit while student

 

 

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1    teaching. The student teaching experience must meet the
2    requirements of and be approved by the individual's early
3    childhood teacher preparation program.
4        Individuals can receive subsequent endorsements on the
5    Professional Educator License. Subsequent endorsements
6    shall require a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework
7    in the endorsement area and passage of the applicable
8    content area test, unless otherwise specified by rule.
9        (2) Educator License with Stipulations. An Educator
10    License with Stipulations shall be issued an endorsement
11    that limits the license holder to one particular position
12    or does not require completion of an approved educator
13    program or both.
14        An individual with an Educator License with
15    Stipulations must not be employed by a school district or
16    any other entity to replace any presently employed teacher
17    who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.
18        An Educator License with Stipulations may be issued
19    with the following endorsements:
20            (A) (Blank).
21            (B) Alternative provisional educator. An
22        alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
23        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
24        applicant who, at the time of applying for the
25        endorsement, has done all of the following:
26                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited

 

 

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1            college or university with a minimum of a
2            bachelor's degree.
3                (ii) Successfully completed the first phase of
4            the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
5            Teachers, as described in Section 21B-50 of this
6            Code.
7                (iii) Passed a content area test, as required
8            under Section 21B-30 of this Code.
9        The alternative provisional educator endorsement is
10    valid for 2 years of teaching and may be renewed for a
11    third year by an individual meeting the requirements set
12    forth in Section 21B-50 of this Code.
13            (C) Alternative provisional superintendent. An
14        alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on
15        an Educator License with Stipulations entitles the
16        holder to serve only as a superintendent or assistant
17        superintendent in a school district's central office.
18        This endorsement may only be issued to an applicant
19        who, at the time of applying for the endorsement, has
20        done all of the following:
21                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
22            college or university with a minimum of a master's
23            degree in a management field other than education.
24                (ii) Been employed for a period of at least 5
25            years in a management level position in a field
26            other than education.

 

 

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1                (iii) Successfully completed the first phase
2            of an alternative route to superintendent
3            endorsement program, as provided in Section 21B-55
4            of this Code.
5                (iv) Passed a content area test required under
6            Section 21B-30 of this Code.
7            The endorsement is valid for 2 fiscal years in
8        order to complete one full year of serving as a
9        superintendent or assistant superintendent.
10            (D) (Blank).
11            (E) Career and technical educator. A career and
12        technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
13        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
14        has a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework from a
15        regionally accredited institution of higher education
16        or an accredited trade and technical institution and
17        has a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience outside of
18        education in each area to be taught.
19            The career and technical educator endorsement on
20        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
21        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
22        endorsement being issued and may be renewed.
23            An individual who holds a valid career and
24        technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
25        with Stipulations but does not hold a bachelor's
26        degree may substitute teach in career and technical

 

 

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1        education classrooms.
2            (F) (Blank).
3            (G) Transitional bilingual educator. A
4        transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an
5        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for
6        the purpose of providing instruction in accordance
7        with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who
8        provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets
9        all of the following requirements:
10                (i) Possesses adequate speaking, reading, and
11            writing ability in the language other than English
12            in which transitional bilingual education is
13            offered.
14                (ii) Has the ability to successfully
15            communicate in English.
16                (iii) Either possessed, within 5 years
17            previous to his or her applying for a transitional
18            bilingual educator endorsement, a valid and
19            comparable teaching certificate or comparable
20            authorization issued by a foreign country or holds
21            a degree from an institution of higher learning in
22            a foreign country that the State Educator
23            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
24            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
25            regionally accredited institution of higher
26            learning in the United States.

 

 

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1            A transitional bilingual educator endorsement
2        shall be valid for prekindergarten through grade 12,
3        is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years
4        of the endorsement being issued, and shall not be
5        renewed.
6            Persons holding a transitional bilingual educator
7        endorsement shall not be employed to replace any
8        presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be
9        replaced for any reason.
10            (H) Language endorsement. In an effort to
11        alleviate the shortage of teachers speaking a language
12        other than English in the public schools, an
13        individual who holds an Educator License with
14        Stipulations may also apply for a language
15        endorsement, provided that the applicant provides
16        satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all of the
17        following requirements:
18                (i) Holds a transitional bilingual
19            endorsement.
20                (ii) Has demonstrated proficiency in the
21            language for which the endorsement is to be issued
22            by passing the applicable language content test
23            required by the State Board of Education.
24                (iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from
25            a regionally accredited institution of higher
26            education or, for individuals educated in a

 

 

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1            country other than the United States, holds a
2            degree from an institution of higher learning in a
3            foreign country that the State Educator
4            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
5            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
6            regionally accredited institution of higher
7            learning in the United States.
8                (iv) (Blank).
9            A language endorsement on an Educator License with
10        Stipulations is valid for prekindergarten through
11        grade 12 for the same validity period as the
12        individual's transitional bilingual educator
13        endorsement on the Educator License with Stipulations
14        and shall not be renewed.
15            (I) Visiting international educator. A visiting
16        international educator endorsement on an Educator
17        License with Stipulations may be issued to an
18        individual who is being recruited by a particular
19        school district that conducts formal recruitment
20        programs outside of the United States to secure the
21        services of qualified teachers and who meets all of
22        the following requirements:
23                (i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
24            bachelor's degree issued in the United States.
25                (ii) Has been prepared as a teacher at the
26            grade level for which he or she will be employed.

 

 

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1                (iii) Has adequate content knowledge in the
2            subject to be taught.
3                (iv) Has an adequate command of the English
4            language.
5            A holder of a visiting international educator
6        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
7        shall be permitted to teach in bilingual education
8        programs in the language that was the medium of
9        instruction in his or her teacher preparation program,
10        provided that he or she passes the English Language
11        Proficiency Examination or another test of writing
12        skills in English identified by the State Board of
13        Education, in consultation with the State Educator
14        Preparation and Licensure Board.
15            A visiting international educator endorsement on
16        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 5
17        years and shall not be renewed.
18            (J) Paraprofessional educator. A paraprofessional
19        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
20        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a
21        high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and
22        (i) holds an associate's degree or a minimum of 60
23        semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited
24        institution of higher education; (ii) has passed a
25        paraprofessional competency test under subsection
26        (c-5) of Section 21B-30; or (iii) is at least 18 years

 

 

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1        of age and will be using the Educator License with
2        Stipulations exclusively for grades prekindergarten
3        through grade 8, until the individual reaches the age
4        of 19 years and otherwise meets the criteria for a
5        paraprofessional educator endorsement pursuant to this
6        subparagraph (J). The paraprofessional educator
7        endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately
8        following 5 years of the endorsement being issued and
9        may be renewed through application and payment of the
10        appropriate fee, as required under Section 21B-40 of
11        this Code. An individual who holds only a
12        paraprofessional educator endorsement is not subject
13        to additional requirements in order to renew the
14        endorsement.
15            (K) Chief school business official. A chief school
16        business official endorsement on an Educator License
17        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
18        qualifies by having a master's degree or higher, 2
19        years of full-time administrative experience in school
20        business management or 2 years of university-approved
21        practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester
22        hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the
23        State Board of Education for the preparation of school
24        business administrators and by passage of the
25        applicable State tests, including an applicable
26        content area test.

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 24 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1            The chief school business official endorsement may
2        also be affixed to the Educator License with
3        Stipulations of any holder who qualifies by having a
4        master's degree in business administration, finance,
5        accounting, or public administration and who completes
6        an additional 6 semester hours of internship in school
7        business management from a regionally accredited
8        institution of higher education and passes the
9        applicable State tests, including an applicable
10        content area test. This endorsement shall be required
11        for any individual employed as a chief school business
12        official.
13            The chief school business official endorsement on
14        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
15        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
16        endorsement being issued and may be renewed if the
17        license holder completes renewal requirements as
18        required for individuals who hold a Professional
19        Educator License endorsed for chief school business
20        official under Section 21B-45 of this Code and such
21        rules as may be adopted by the State Board of
22        Education.
23            The State Board of Education shall adopt any rules
24        necessary to implement Public Act 100-288.
25            (L) Provisional in-state educator. A provisional
26        in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License

 

 

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1        with Stipulations may be issued to a candidate who has
2        completed an Illinois-approved educator preparation
3        program at an Illinois institution of higher education
4        and who has not successfully completed an
5        evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness but
6        who meets all of the following requirements:
7                (i) Holds at least a bachelor's degree.
8                (ii) Has completed an approved educator
9            preparation program at an Illinois institution.
10                (iii) Has passed an applicable content area
11            test, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
12                (iv) Has attempted an evidence-based
13            assessment of teacher effectiveness and received a
14            minimum score on that assessment, as established
15            by the State Board of Education in consultation
16            with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
17            Board.
18            A provisional in-state educator endorsement on an
19        Educator License with Stipulations is valid for one
20        full fiscal year after the date of issuance and may not
21        be renewed.
22            (M) (Blank).
23            (N) Specialized services. A specialized services
24        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
25        may be issued as defined and specified by rule.
26        (3) Substitute Teaching License. A Substitute Teaching

 

 

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1    License may be issued to qualified applicants for
2    substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools,
3    prekindergarten through grade 12. Substitute Teaching
4    Licenses are not eligible for endorsements. Applicants for
5    a Substitute Teaching License must hold a bachelor's
6    degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
7    of higher education or must be enrolled in an approved
8    educator preparation program in this State and have earned
9    at least 90 credit hours.
10        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years.
11        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute
12    teaching in every county of this State. If an individual
13    has had his or her Professional Educator License or
14    Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked,
15    then that individual is not eligible to obtain a
16    Substitute Teaching License.
17        A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a
18    licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing
19    board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under
20    contract because of an emergency situation, then a
21    district may employ a substitute teacher for no longer
22    than 30 calendar days per each vacant position in the
23    district if the district notifies the appropriate regional
24    office of education within 5 business days after the
25    employment of the substitute teacher in the emergency
26    situation. An emergency situation is one in which an

 

 

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1    unforeseen vacancy has occurred and (i) a teacher is
2    unable to fulfill his or her contractual duties or (ii)
3    teacher capacity needs of the district exceed previous
4    indications, and the district is actively engaged in
5    advertising to hire a fully licensed teacher for the
6    vacant position.
7        There is no limit on the number of days that a
8    substitute teacher may teach in a single school district,
9    provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer
10    than 120 days beginning with the 2021-2022 school year
11    through the 2022-2023 school year, otherwise 90 school
12    days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
13    same school year. A substitute teacher who holds a
14    Professional Educator License or Educator License with
15    Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school days
16    for any one licensed teacher under contract in the same
17    school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on the
18    number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do not
19    apply to any school district operating under Article 34 of
20    this Code.
21        A school district may not require an individual who
22    holds a valid Professional Educator License or Educator
23    License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute
24    Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher.
25        (4) Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Beginning
26    on July 1, 2018 and until June 30, 2023, the State Board of

 

 

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1    Education may issue a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
2    License. A Short-Term Substitute Teaching License may be
3    issued to a qualified applicant for substitute teaching in
4    all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through
5    grade 12. Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are not
6    eligible for endorsements. Applicants for a Short-Term
7    Substitute Teaching License must hold an associate's
8    degree or have completed at least 60 credit hours from a
9    regionally accredited institution of higher education.
10        Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for
11    substitute teaching in every county of this State. If an
12    individual has had his or her Professional Educator
13    License or Educator License with Stipulations suspended or
14    revoked, then that individual is not eligible to obtain a
15    Short-Term Substitute Teaching License.
16        The provisions of Sections 10-21.9 and 34-18.5 of this
17    Code apply to short-term substitute teachers.
18        An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
19    License may teach no more than 15 consecutive days per
20    licensed teacher who is under contract. For teacher
21    absences lasting 6 or more days per licensed teacher who
22    is under contract, a school district may not hire an
23    individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
24    License, unless the Governor has declared a disaster due
25    to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
26    Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. An individual

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 29 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1    holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching License must
2    complete the training program under Section 10-20.67 or
3    34-18.60 of this Code to be eligible to teach at a public
4    school. This paragraph (4) is inoperative on and after
5    July 1, 2023.
6(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-220, eff. 8-7-19;
7101-594, eff. 12-5-19; 101-643, eff. 6-18-20; 102-711, eff.
81-1-23; 102-712, eff. 4-27-22; 102-713, eff. 1-1-23; 102-717,
9eff. 4-29-22; 102-894, eff. 5-20-22; revised 12-13-22.)
 
10    (105 ILCS 5/21B-30)
11    Sec. 21B-30. Educator testing.
12    (a) (Blank).
13    (b) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
14State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall design
15and implement a system of examinations, which shall be
16required prior to the issuance of educator licenses. These
17examinations and indicators must be based on national and
18State professional teaching standards, as determined by the
19State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
20Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. The State Board of
21Education may adopt such rules as may be necessary to
22implement and administer this Section.
23    (c) (Blank).
24    (c-5) The State Board must adopt rules to implement a
25paraprofessional competency test. This test would allow an

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 30 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1applicant seeking an Educator License with Stipulations with a
2paraprofessional educator endorsement to obtain the
3endorsement if he or she passes the test and meets the other
4requirements of subparagraph (J) of paragraph (2) of Section
521B-20 other than the higher education requirements.
6    (d) All applicants seeking a State license shall be
7required to pass a test of content area knowledge for each area
8of endorsement for which there is an applicable test. There
9shall be no exception to this requirement. No candidate shall
10be allowed to student teach or serve as the teacher of record
11until he or she has passed the applicable content area test.
12    (d-5) Subject to appropriation, all applicants seeking a
13State license after July 1, 2026 in the areas of early
14childhood education, early childhood special education,
15elementary education in grades one through 6, reading
16specialist, reading teacher, learning behavior specialist I,
17special education general curriculum, director of special
18education, and principal as instruction leader shall take a
19test in reading foundations, which shall include assessment of
20the applicant's understanding of phonological and phonemic
21awareness, concepts of print and the alphabetic principle, the
22role of phonics in promoting reading development, word
23analysis skills and strategies, vocabulary development,
24linguistics, morphology, application of reading comprehension
25skills and strategies, and methods for assessing reading
26development. The test in reading foundations must also assess

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 31 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1applicants' knowledge of assessment, differentiation, and
2intervention with respect to each component of reading for
3English learners, students with disabilities, and students
4with advanced skills in some areas of reading. In the event
5that an appropriation to the State Board to design the test of
6reading foundations is delayed, the agency may delay
7implementation of the required test by an equivalent amount of
8time if it deems the delay necessary.
9    Candidates need not achieve a particular score on the test
10in reading foundations; however, candidates who achieve a
11passing score shall earn a notation on their transcript and an
12additional credential on their Professional Educator License,
13and this information shall be considered during each
14preparation program's reaccreditation process. The State Board
15shall aggregate and publish the number of candidates in each
16preparation program who take the test in reading foundations
17and the number who pass the test. Subject to appropriation,
18the State Board shall cover the costs of the assessment, and no
19candidate or preparation program shall be charged a fee for
20the assessment. If the appropriation is insufficient to cover
21the costs of administering the assessment, the State Board
22shall determine how to allocate the available funds. If no
23funding is appropriated, candidates shall not be required to
24take the test. However, the test shall be available for
25candidates who wish to cover the cost. Candidates who have
26taken the test previously need not take it again for

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 32 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1additional licensure areas, though they may choose to do so.
2    (e) (Blank).
3    (f) Except as otherwise provided in this Article,
4beginning on September 1, 2015, all candidates completing
5teacher preparation programs in this State and all candidates
6subject to Section 21B-35 of this Code are required to pass a
7teacher performance assessment approved by the State Board of
8Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
9and Licensure Board. A candidate may not be required to submit
10test materials by video submission. Subject to appropriation,
11an individual who holds a Professional Educator License and is
12employed for a minimum of one school year by a school district
13designated as Tier 1 under Section 18-8.15 may, after
14application to the State Board, receive from the State Board a
15refund for any costs associated with completing the teacher
16performance assessment under this subsection.
17    (g) The content area knowledge test and the teacher
18performance assessment shall be the tests that from time to
19time are designated by the State Board of Education, in
20consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
21Board, and may be tests prepared by an educational testing
22organization or tests designed by the State Board of
23Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
24and Licensure Board. The test of content area knowledge shall
25assess content knowledge in a specific subject field. The
26tests must be designed to be racially neutral to ensure that no

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 33 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1person taking the tests is discriminated against on the basis
2of race, color, national origin, or other factors unrelated to
3the person's ability to perform as a licensed employee. The
4score required to pass the tests shall be fixed by the State
5Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator
6Preparation and Licensure Board. The tests shall be
7administered not fewer than 3 times a year at such time and
8place as may be designated by the State Board of Education, in
9consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
10Board.
11    The State Board shall implement a test or tests to assess
12the speaking, reading, writing, and grammar skills of
13applicants for an endorsement or a license issued under
14subdivision (G) of paragraph (2) of Section 21B-20 of this
15Code in the English language and in the language of the
16transitional bilingual education program requested by the
17applicant.
18    (h) Except as provided in Section 34-6 of this Code, the
19provisions of this Section shall apply equally in any school
20district subject to Article 34 of this Code.
21    (i) The rules developed to implement and enforce the
22testing requirements under this Section shall include, without
23limitation, provisions governing test selection, test
24validation, and determination of a passing score for all tests
25except the reading foundations test, administration of the
26tests, frequency of administration, applicant fees, frequency

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 34 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1of applicants taking the tests, the years for which a score is
2valid, and appropriate special accommodations. The State Board
3of Education shall develop such rules as may be needed to
4ensure uniformity from year to year in the level of difficulty
5for each form of an assessment. The State Board shall base its
6rules concerning the passing score on the reading foundations
7test on the recommended cut-score determined in the formal
8standard-setting process.
9(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-220, eff. 8-7-19;
10101-594, eff. 12-5-19; 102-301, eff. 8-26-21.)
 
11    (105 ILCS 5/21B-35)
12    Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in
13other states or countries.
14    (a) Any applicant who has not been entitled by an
15Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
16institution of higher education applying for a Professional
17Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school
18support personnel area must meet the following requirements:
19        (1) the applicant must:
20            (A) hold a comparable and valid educator license
21        or certificate, as defined by rule, with similar grade
22        level and content area credentials from another state,
23        with the State Board of Education having the authority
24        to determine what constitutes similar grade level and
25        content area credentials from another state;

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 35 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1            (B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally
2        accredited institution of higher education; and
3            (C) (blank); or
4        (2) the applicant must:
5            (A) have completed a state-approved program for
6        the licensure area sought, including coursework
7        concerning (i) methods of instruction of the
8        exceptional child, (ii) evidence-based methods of
9        reading that align with the literacy standards for
10        teachers and with the comprehensive literacy plan for
11        this State and reading in the content area, and (iii)
12        instructional strategies for English learners;
13            (B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally
14        accredited institution of higher education;
15            (C) have successfully met all Illinois examination
16        requirements, except that:
17                (i) (blank);
18                (ii) an applicant who has successfully
19            completed a test of content, as defined by rules,
20            at the time of initial licensure in another state
21            is not required to complete a test of content; and
22                (iii) an applicant for a teaching endorsement
23            who has successfully completed an evidence-based
24            assessment of teacher effectiveness, as defined by
25            rules, at the time of initial licensure in another
26            state is not required to complete an

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 36 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1            evidence-based assessment of teacher
2            effectiveness; and
3            (D) for an applicant for a teaching endorsement,
4        have completed student teaching or an equivalent
5        experience or, for an applicant for a school service
6        personnel endorsement, have completed an internship or
7        an equivalent experience.
8    (b) In order to receive a Professional Educator License
9endorsed in a teaching field or school support personnel area,
10applicants trained in another country must meet all of the
11following requirements:
12        (1) Have completed a comparable education program in
13    another country.
14        (2) Have had transcripts evaluated by an evaluation
15    service approved by the State Superintendent of Education.
16        (3) Have a degree comparable to a degree from a
17    regionally accredited institution of higher education.
18        (4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
19    concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional
20    child, (ii) evidence-based methods of reading that align
21    with the literacy standards for teachers and with the
22    comprehensive literacy plan for this State, and reading in
23    the content area, and (iii) instructional strategies for
24    English learners.
25        (5) (Blank).
26        (6) (Blank).

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 37 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1        (7) Have successfully met all State licensure
2    examination requirements. Applicants who have successfully
3    completed a test of content, as defined by rules, at the
4    time of initial licensure in another country shall not be
5    required to complete a test of content. Applicants for a
6    teaching endorsement who have successfully completed an
7    evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness, as
8    defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in
9    another country shall not be required to complete an
10    evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness.
11        (8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent
12    experience.
13        (9) (Blank).
14    (b-5) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
15Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
16institution of higher education and applicants trained in
17another country applying for a Professional Educator License
18endorsed for principal or superintendent must hold a master's
19degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher
20education and hold a comparable and valid educator license or
21certificate with similar grade level and subject matter
22credentials, with the State Board of Education having the
23authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level
24and subject matter credentials from another state, or must
25meet all of the following requirements:
26        (1) Have completed an educator preparation program

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 38 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1    approved by another state or comparable educator program
2    in another country leading to the receipt of a license or
3    certificate for the Illinois endorsement sought.
4        (2) Have successfully met all State licensure
5    examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of
6    this Code. Applicants who have successfully completed a
7    test of content, as defined by rules, at the time of
8    initial licensure in another state or country shall not be
9    required to complete a test of content.
10        (2.5) Have completed an internship, as defined by
11    rule.
12        (3) (Blank).
13        (4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
14    concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional
15    child, (ii) evidence-based methods of reading that align
16    with the literacy standards for teachers and with the
17    comprehensive literacy plan for this State, and reading in
18    the content area, and (iii) instructional strategies for
19    English learners.
20        (4.5) (Blank).
21        (5) Have completed a master's degree.
22        (6) Have successfully completed teaching, school
23    support, or administrative experience as defined by rule.
24    (b-7) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
25Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
26institution of higher education applying for a Professional

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 39 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1Educator License endorsed for Director of Special Education
2must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited
3institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and
4valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level
5and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of
6Education having the authority to determine what constitutes
7similar grade level and subject matter credentials from
8another state, or must meet all of the following requirements:
9        (1) Have completed a master's degree.
10        (2) Have 2 years of full-time experience providing
11    special education services.
12        (3) Have successfully completed all examination
13    requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
14    Applicants who have successfully completed a test of
15    content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial
16    licensure in another state or country shall not be
17    required to complete a test of content.
18        (4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
19    concerning (i) methods of instruction of the exceptional
20    child, (ii) evidence-based methods of reading that align
21    with the literacy standards for teachers and with the
22    comprehensive literacy plan for this State, and reading in
23    the content area, and (iii) instructional strategies for
24    English learners.
25    (b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
26Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 40 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1institution of higher education applying for a Professional
2Educator License endorsed for chief school business official
3must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited
4institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and
5valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level
6and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of
7Education having the authority to determine what constitutes
8similar grade level and subject matter credentials from
9another state, or must meet all of the following requirements:
10        (1) Have completed a master's degree in school
11    business management, finance, or accounting.
12        (2) Have successfully completed an internship in
13    school business management or have 2 years of experience
14    as a school business administrator.
15        (3) Have successfully met all State examination
16    requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
17    Applicants who have successfully completed a test of
18    content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial
19    licensure in another state or country shall not be
20    required to complete a test of content.
21        (4) Have completed modules aligned to standards
22    concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
23    child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
24    and instructional strategies for English learners.
25    (c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
26State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such

 

 

HB3147 Engrossed- 41 -LRB103 26261 RJT 52621 b

1rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.
2(Source: P.A. 101-220, eff. 8-7-19; 101-643, eff. 6-18-20;
3102-539, eff. 8-20-21.)
 
4    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
5becoming law.