Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB2912
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Full Text of SB2912  99th General Assembly

SB2912 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

  
  

 


 
99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB2912

 

Introduced 2/18/2016, by Sen. David S. Luechtefeld

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/21B-20
105 ILCS 5/21B-25
105 ILCS 5/21B-30
105 ILCS 5/21B-35
105 ILCS 5/21B-40
105 ILCS 5/21B-45

    Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Makes changes concerning a provisional in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, a career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, a provisional career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, a Substitute Teaching License, a teacher leader endorsement on a Professional Educator License, educator testing, the minimum requirements for educators trained in other states or countries, fees for Substitute Teaching Licenses, and requirements for licensees retiring during a renewal cycle.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2912LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 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 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
521B-20, 21B-25, 21B-30, 21B-35, 21B-40, and 21B-45 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/21B-20)
7    Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. Before July 1, 2013, the
8State Board of Education shall implement a system of educator
9licensure, whereby individuals employed in school districts
10who are required to be licensed must have one of the following
11licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii) a
12professional educator license with stipulations; or (iii) a
13substitute teaching license. References in law regarding
14individuals certified or certificated or required to be
15certified or certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall
16also include individuals licensed or required to be licensed
17under this Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June
1830 following one full year of the license being issued.
19    The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
20State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
21rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for
22licenses and endorsements under this Section.
23        (1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i)

 

 

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1    have successfully completed an approved educator
2    preparation program and are recommended for licensure by
3    the Illinois institution offering the educator preparation
4    program, (ii) have successfully completed the required
5    testing under Section 21B-30 of this Code, (iii) have
6    successfully completed coursework on the psychology of,
7    the identification of, and the methods of instruction for
8    the exceptional child, including without limitation
9    children with learning disabilities, (iv) have
10    successfully completed coursework in methods of reading
11    and reading in the content area, and (v) have met all other
12    criteria established by rule of the State Board of
13    Education shall be issued a Professional Educator License.
14    All Professional Educator Licenses are valid until June 30
15    immediately following 5 years of the license being issued.
16    The Professional Educator License shall be endorsed with
17    specific areas and grade levels in which the individual is
18    eligible to practice.
19        Individuals can receive subsequent endorsements on the
20    Professional Educator License. Subsequent endorsements
21    shall require a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework
22    in the endorsement area, unless otherwise specified by
23    rule, and passage of the applicable content area test.
24        (2) Educator License with Stipulations. An Educator
25    License with Stipulations shall be issued an endorsement
26    that limits the license holder to one particular position

 

 

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1    or does not require completion of an approved educator
2    program or both.
3        An individual with an Educator License with
4    Stipulations must not be employed by a school district or
5    any other entity to replace any presently employed teacher
6    who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.
7        An Educator License with Stipulations may be issued
8    with the following endorsements:
9            (A) Provisional educator. A provisional educator
10        endorsement in a specific content area or areas on an
11        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
12        applicant who holds an educator license with a minimum
13        of 15 semester hours in content coursework from another
14        state, U.S. territory, or foreign country and who, at
15        the time of applying for an Illinois license, does not
16        meet the minimum requirements under Section 21B-35 of
17        this Code, but does, at a minimum, meet the following
18        requirements:
19                (i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
20            bachelor's degree, unless a master's degree is
21            required for the endorsement, from a regionally
22            accredited college or university or, for
23            individuals educated in a country other than the
24            United States, the equivalent of a minimum of a
25            bachelor's degree issued in the United States,
26            unless a master's degree is required for the

 

 

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1            endorsement.
2                (ii) Has passed or passes a test of basic
3            skills and content area test, as required by
4            Section 21B-30 of this Code, prior to or within one
5            year after issuance of the provisional educator
6            endorsement on the Educator License with
7            Stipulations. If an individual who holds an
8            Educator License with Stipulations endorsed for
9            provisional educator has not passed a test of basic
10            skills and applicable content area test or tests
11            within one year after issuance of the endorsement,
12            the endorsement shall expire on June 30 following
13            one full year of the endorsement being issued. If
14            such an individual has passed the test of basic
15            skills and applicable content area test or tests
16            either prior to issuance of the endorsement or
17            within one year after issuance of the endorsement,
18            the endorsement is valid until June 30 immediately
19            following 2 years of the license being issued,
20            during which time any and all coursework
21            deficiencies must be met and any and all additional
22            testing deficiencies must be met.
23            In addition, a provisional educator endorsement
24        for principals or superintendents may be issued if the
25        individual meets the requirements set forth in
26        subdivisions (1) and (3) of subsection (b-5) of Section

 

 

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1        21B-35 of this Code. Applicants who have not been
2        entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation
3        program at an Illinois institution of higher education
4        shall not receive a provisional educator endorsement
5        if the person completed an alternative licensure
6        program in another state, unless the program has been
7        determined to be equivalent to Illinois program
8        requirements.
9            Notwithstanding any other requirements of this
10        Section, a service member or spouse of a service member
11        may obtain a Professional Educator License with
12        Stipulations, and a provisional educator endorsement
13        in a specific content area or areas, if he or she holds
14        a valid teaching certificate or license in good
15        standing from another state, meets the qualifications
16        of educators outlined in Section 21B-15 of this Code,
17        and has not engaged in any misconduct that would
18        prohibit an individual from obtaining a license
19        pursuant to Illinois law, including without limitation
20        any administrative rules of the State Board of
21        Education.
22            In this Section, "service member" means any person
23        who, at the time of application under this Section, is
24        an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces
25        or any reserve component of the United States Armed
26        Forces or the National Guard of any state,

 

 

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1        commonwealth, or territory of the United States or the
2        District of Columbia.
3            A provisional educator endorsement is valid until
4        June 30 immediately following 2 years of the license
5        being issued, provided that any remaining testing and
6        coursework deficiencies are met as set forth in this
7        Section. Failure to satisfy all stated deficiencies
8        shall mean the individual, including any service
9        member or spouse who has obtained a Professional
10        Educator License with Stipulations and a provisional
11        educator endorsement in a specific content area or
12        areas, is ineligible to receive a Professional
13        Educator License at that time. An Educator License with
14        Stipulations endorsed for provisional educator shall
15        not be renewed for individuals who hold an Educator
16        License with Stipulations and who have held a position
17        in a public school or non-public school recognized by
18        the State Board of Education.
19            (B) Alternative provisional educator. An
20        alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
21        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
22        applicant who, at the time of applying for the
23        endorsement, has done all of the following:
24                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
25            college or university with a minimum of a
26            bachelor's degree.

 

 

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

 

 

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1            of an alternative route to superintendent
2            endorsement program, as provided in Section 21B-55
3            of this Code.
4                (iv) Passed a test of basic skills and content
5            area tests required under Section 21B-30 of this
6            Code.
7            The endorsement may be registered for 2 fiscal
8        years in order to complete one full year of serving as
9        a superintendent or assistant superintendent.
10            (D) Resident teacher endorsement. A resident
11        teacher endorsement on an Educator License with
12        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who, at the
13        time of applying for the endorsement, has done all of
14        the following:
15                (i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
16            institution of higher education with a minimum of a
17            bachelor's degree.
18                (ii) Enrolled in an approved Illinois educator
19            preparation program.
20                (iii) Passed a test of basic skills and content
21            area test, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
22            Code.
23            The resident teacher endorsement on an Educator
24        License with Stipulations is valid for 4 years of
25        teaching and shall not be renewed.
26            A resident teacher may teach only under the

 

 

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1        direction of a licensed teacher, who shall act as the
2        resident mentor teacher, and may not teach in place of
3        a licensed teacher. A resident teacher endorsement on
4        an Educator License with Stipulations shall no longer
5        be valid after June 30, 2017.
6            (E) Career and technical educator. A career and
7        technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
8        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has
9        a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework from a
10        regionally accredited institution of higher education
11        and has a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience outside
12        of education in each area to be taught.
13            The career and technical educator 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. For
17        individuals who were issued the career and technical
18        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
19        Stipulations on or after January 1, 2015, the license
20        may be renewed if the individual passes a test of basic
21        skills or test of work proficiency, as required under
22        Section 21B-30 of this Code.
23            (F) Part-time provisional career and technical
24        educator or provisional career and technical educator.
25        A part-time provisional career and technical educator
26        endorsement or a provisional career and technical

 

 

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1        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
2        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has a
3        minimum of 8,000 hours of work experience in the skill
4        for which the applicant is seeking the endorsement. It
5        is the responsibility of each employing school board
6        and regional office of education to provide
7        verification, in writing, to the State Superintendent
8        of Education at the time the application is submitted
9        that no qualified teacher holding a Professional
10        Educator License or an Educator License with
11        Stipulations with a career and technical educator
12        endorsement is available and that actual circumstances
13        require such issuance.
14            The provisional career and technical educator
15        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
16        is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
17        the endorsement being issued and may be renewed only
18        one time for 5 years. For individuals who were issued
19        the provisional career and technical educator
20        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
21        on or after January 1, 2015, the license may be renewed
22        one time if the individual passes a test of basic
23        skills or test of work proficiency, as required under
24        Section 21B-30 of this Code, and has completed a
25        minimum of 20 semester hours from a regionally
26        accredited institution.

 

 

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1            A part-time provisional career and technical
2        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
3        Stipulations may be issued for teaching no more than 2
4        courses of study for grades 6 through 12. The part-time
5        provisional career and technical educator endorsement
6        on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
7        June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
8        endorsement being issued and may be renewed for 5 years
9        if the individual makes application for renewal.
10            (G) Transitional bilingual educator. A
11        transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an
12        Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for
13        the purpose of providing instruction in accordance
14        with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who
15        provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all
16        of the following requirements:
17                (i) Possesses adequate speaking, reading, and
18            writing ability in the language other than English
19            in which transitional bilingual education is
20            offered.
21                (ii) Has the ability to successfully
22            communicate in English.
23                (iii) Either possessed, within 5 years
24            previous to his or her applying for a transitional
25            bilingual educator endorsement, a valid and
26            comparable teaching certificate or comparable

 

 

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

 

 

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1            by passing the applicable language content test
2            required by the State Board of Education.
3                (iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from
4            a regionally accredited institution of higher
5            education or, for individuals educated in a
6            country other than the United States, holds a
7            degree from an institution of higher learning in a
8            foreign country that the State Educator
9            Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
10            the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
11            regionally accredited institution of higher
12            learning in the United States.
13                (iv) Has passed a test of basic skills, as
14            required under Section 21B-30 of this Code.
15            A language endorsement on an Educator License with
16        Stipulations is valid for prekindergarten through
17        grade 12 for the same validity period as the
18        individual's transitional bilingual educator
19        endorsement on the Educator License with Stipulations
20        and shall not be renewed.
21            (I) Visiting international educator. A visiting
22        international educator endorsement on an Educator
23        License with Stipulations may be issued to an
24        individual who is being recruited by a particular
25        school district that conducts formal recruitment
26        programs outside of the United States to secure the

 

 

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1        services of qualified teachers and who meets all of the
2        following requirements:
3                (i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
4            bachelor's degree issued in the United States.
5                (ii) Has been prepared as a teacher at the
6            grade level for which he or she will be employed.
7                (iii) Has adequate content knowledge in the
8            subject to be taught.
9                (iv) Has an adequate command of the English
10            language.
11            A holder of a visiting international educator
12        endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
13        shall be permitted to teach in bilingual education
14        programs in the language that was the medium of
15        instruction in his or her teacher preparation program,
16        provided that he or she passes the English Language
17        Proficiency Examination or another test of writing
18        skills in English identified by the State Board of
19        Education, in consultation with the State Educator
20        Preparation and Licensure Board.
21            A visiting international educator endorsement on
22        an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 3
23        years and shall not be renewed.
24            (J) Paraprofessional educator. A paraprofessional
25        educator endorsement on an Educator License with
26        Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds a

 

 

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1        high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and
2        either holds an associate's degree or a minimum of 60
3        semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited
4        institution of higher education or has passed a test of
5        basic skills required under Section 21B-30 of this
6        Code. The paraprofessional educator endorsement is
7        valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
8        the endorsement being issued and may be renewed through
9        application and payment of the appropriate fee, as
10        required under Section 21B-40 of this Code. An
11        individual who holds only a paraprofessional educator
12        endorsement is not subject to additional requirements
13        in order to renew the endorsement.
14            (K) Chief school business official. A chief school
15        business official endorsement on an Educator License
16        with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who
17        qualifies by having a master's degree or higher, 2
18        years of full-time administrative experience in school
19        business management or 2 years of university-approved
20        practical experience, and a minimum of 24 semester
21        hours of graduate credit in a program approved by the
22        State Board of Education for the preparation of school
23        business administrators and by passage of the
24        applicable State tests, including a test of basic
25        skills and applicable content area test.
26            The chief school business official endorsement may

 

 

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

 

 

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1        and who has not successfully completed an
2        evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness but
3        who meets all of the following requirements:
4                (i) Holds at least a bachelor's degree.
5                (ii) Has completed an approved educator
6            preparation program at an Illinois institution.
7                (iii) Has passed a test of basic skills and
8            applicable content area test, as required by
9            Section 21B-30 of this Code.
10                (iv) Has attempted an evidence-based
11            assessment of teacher effectiveness and received a
12            minimum score on that assessment, as established
13            by the State Board of Education in consultation
14            with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
15            Board.
16            A provisional in-state educator endorsement on an
17        Educator License with Stipulations is valid for one
18        full fiscal year after the date of issuance and may not
19        be renewed.
20        (3) Substitute Teaching License. A Substitute Teaching
21    License may be issued to qualified applicants for
22    substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools,
23    prekindergarten through grade 12. Substitute Teaching
24    Licenses are not eligible for endorsements. Applicants for
25    a short-term Substitute Teaching License shall have
26    completed 60 hours of college coursework from a regionally

 

 

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1    accredited institution. Applicants for a long-term
2    Substitute Teaching License must hold a bachelor's degree
3    or higher from a regionally accredited institution of
4    higher education.
5        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years and
6    may be renewed if the individual has passed a test of basic
7    skills, as authorized under Section 21B-30 of this Code. An
8    individual who has passed a test of basic skills for the
9    first licensure renewal is not required to retake the test
10    again for further renewals. Individuals who hold a
11    short-term Substitute Teaching License must pass a test of
12    basic skills or test of work proficiency prior to renewal
13    of the license.
14        Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute
15    teaching in every county of this State. If an individual
16    has had his or her Professional Educator License or
17    Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked or
18    has not met the renewal requirements for licensure, then
19    that individual is not eligible to obtain a Substitute
20    Teaching License.
21        A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a
22    licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing
23    board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under
24    contract because of an emergency situation, then a district
25    may employ a substitute teacher for no longer than 30
26    calendar days per each vacant position in the district if

 

 

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1    the district notifies the appropriate regional office of
2    education within 5 business days after the employment of
3    the substitute teacher in the emergency situation. An
4    emergency situation is one in which an unforeseen vacancy
5    has occurred and (i) a teacher is unable to fulfill his or
6    her contractual duties or (ii) teacher capacity needs of
7    the district exceed previous indications, and the district
8    is actively engaged in advertising to hire a fully licensed
9    teacher for the vacant position.
10        A substitute teacher who holds a short-term Substitute
11    Teaching License may serve for a total of only 90 school
12    days during a school year and no more than 5 school days
13    within any period of 10 school days for one licensed
14    teacher under contract.
15        There is no limit on the number of days that a
16    substitute teacher who holds a long-term Substitute
17    Teaching License may teach in a single school district,
18    provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer
19    than 90 school days for any one licensed teacher under
20    contract in the same school year. A substitute teacher who
21    holds a Professional Educator License or Educator License
22    with Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school
23    days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
24    same school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on
25    the number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do
26    not apply to any school district operating under Article 34

 

 

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1    of this Code.
2(Source: P.A. 98-28, eff. 7-1-13; 98-751, eff. 1-1-15; 99-35,
3eff. 1-1-16; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-143, eff. 7-27-15; revised
410-14-15.)
 
5    (105 ILCS 5/21B-25)
6    Sec. 21B-25. Endorsement on licenses. All licenses issued
7under paragraph (1) of Section 21B-20 of this Code shall be
8specifically endorsed by the State Board of Education for each
9content area, school support area, and administrative area for
10which the holder of the license is qualified. Recognized
11institutions approved to offer educator preparation programs
12shall be trained to add endorsements to licenses issued to
13applicants who meet all of the requirements for the endorsement
14or endorsements, including passing any required tests. The
15State Superintendent of Education shall randomly audit
16institutions to ensure that all rules and standards are being
17followed for entitlement or when endorsements are being
18recommended.
19        (1) The State Board of Education, in consultation with
20    the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall
21    establish, by rule, the grade level and subject area
22    endorsements to be added to the Professional Educator
23    License. These rules shall outline the requirements for
24    obtaining each endorsement.
25        (2) In addition to any and all grade level and content

 

 

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1    area endorsements developed by rule, the State Board of
2    Education, in consultation with the State Educator
3    Preparation and Licensure Board, shall develop the
4    requirements for the following endorsements:
5            (A) General administrative endorsement. A general
6        administrative endorsement shall be added to a
7        Professional Educator License, provided that an
8        approved program has been completed. An individual
9        holding a general administrative endorsement may work
10        only as a principal or assistant principal or in a
11        related or similar position, as determined by the State
12        Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the
13        State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
14            Beginning on September 1, 2014, the general
15        administrative endorsement shall no longer be issued
16        except to individuals who completed all coursework
17        requirements for the receipt of the general
18        administrative endorsement by September 1, 2014, who
19        have completed all testing requirements by June 30,
20        2016, and who apply for the endorsement on or before
21        June 30, 2016. Individuals who hold a valid and
22        registered administrative certificate with a general
23        administrative endorsement issued under Section 21-7.1
24        of this Code or a Professional Educator License with a
25        general administrative endorsement issued prior to
26        September 1, 2014 and who have served for at least one

 

 

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1        full year during the 5 years prior in a position
2        requiring a general administrative endorsement shall,
3        upon request to the State Board of Education and
4        through July 1, 2015, have their respective general
5        administrative endorsement converted to a principal
6        endorsement on the Professional Educator License.
7        Candidates shall not be admitted to an approved general
8        administrative preparation program after September 1,
9        2012.
10            All other individuals holding a valid and
11        registered administrative certificate with a general
12        administrative endorsement issued pursuant to Section
13        21-7.1 of this Code or a general administrative
14        endorsement on a Professional Educator License issued
15        prior to September 1, 2014 shall have the general
16        administrative endorsement converted to a principal
17        endorsement on a Professional Educator License upon
18        request to the State Board of Education and by
19        completing one of the following pathways:
20                (i) Passage of the State principal assessment
21            developed by the State Board of Education.
22                (ii) Through July 1, 2019, completion of an
23            Illinois Educators' Academy course designated by
24            the State Superintendent of Education.
25                (iii) Completion of a principal preparation
26            program established and approved pursuant to

 

 

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1            Section 21B-60 of this Code and applicable rules.
2            Individuals who do not choose to convert the
3        general administrative endorsement on the
4        administrative certificate issued pursuant to Section
5        21-7.1 of this Code or on the Professional Educator
6        License shall continue to be able to serve in any
7        position previously allowed under paragraph (2) of
8        subsection (e) of Section 21-7.1 of this Code.
9            The general administrative endorsement on the
10        Professional Educator License is available only to
11        individuals who, prior to September 1, 2014, had such
12        an endorsement on the administrative certificate
13        issued pursuant to Section 21-7.1 of this Code or who
14        already have a Professional Educator License and have
15        completed a general administrative program and who do
16        not choose to convert the general administrative
17        endorsement to a principal endorsement pursuant to the
18        options in this Section.
19            (B) Principal endorsement. A principal endorsement
20        shall be affixed to a Professional Educator License of
21        any holder who qualifies by having all of the
22        following:
23                (i) Successful completion of a principal
24            preparation program approved in accordance with
25            Section 21B-60 of this Code and any applicable
26            rules.

 

 

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1                (ii) At least 4 total years of teaching or,
2            until June 30, 2019, working in the capacity of
3            school support personnel in an Illinois public
4            school or nonpublic school recognized by the State
5            Board of Education or in an out-of-state public
6            school or out-of-state nonpublic school meeting
7            out-of-state recognition standards comparable to
8            those approved by the State Superintendent of
9            Education; however, the State Board of Education,
10            in consultation with the State Educator
11            Preparation and Licensure Board, shall allow, by
12            rules, for fewer than 4 years of experience based
13            on meeting standards set forth in such rules,
14            including without limitation a review of
15            performance evaluations or other evidence of
16            demonstrated qualifications.
17                (iii) A master's degree or higher from a
18            regionally accredited college or university.
19            (C) Chief school business official endorsement. A
20        chief school business official endorsement shall be
21        affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
22        holder who qualifies by having a master's degree or
23        higher, 2 years of full-time administrative experience
24        in school business management or 2 years of
25        university-approved practical experience, and a
26        minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate credit in a

 

 

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1        program approved by the State Board of Education for
2        the preparation of school business administrators and
3        by passage of the applicable State tests. The chief
4        school business official endorsement may also be
5        affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
6        holder who qualifies by having a master's degree in
7        business administration, finance, or accounting and
8        who completes an additional 6 semester hours of
9        internship in school business management from a
10        regionally accredited institution of higher education
11        and passes the applicable State tests. This
12        endorsement shall be required for any individual
13        employed as a chief school business official.
14            (D) Superintendent endorsement. A superintendent
15        endorsement shall be affixed to the Professional
16        Educator License of any holder who has completed a
17        program approved by the State Board of Education for
18        the preparation of superintendents of schools, has had
19        at least 2 years of experience employed full-time in a
20        general administrative position or as a full-time
21        principal, director of special education, or chief
22        school business official in the public schools or in a
23        State-recognized nonpublic school in which the chief
24        administrator is required to have the licensure
25        necessary to be a principal in a public school in this
26        State and where a majority of the teachers are required

 

 

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1        to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a
2        public school in this State, and has passed the
3        required State tests; or of any holder who has
4        completed a program that is not an Illinois-approved
5        educator preparation program at an Illinois
6        institution of higher education and that has
7        recognition standards comparable to those approved by
8        the State Superintendent of Education and holds the
9        general administrative, principal, or chief school
10        business official endorsement and who has had 2 years
11        of experience as a principal, director of special
12        education, or chief school business official while
13        holding a valid educator license or certificate
14        comparable in validity and educational and experience
15        requirements and has passed the appropriate State
16        tests, as provided in Section 21B-30 of this Code. The
17        superintendent endorsement shall allow individuals to
18        serve only as a superintendent or assistant
19        superintendent.
20            (E) Teacher leader endorsement. It shall be the
21        policy of this State to improve the quality of
22        instructional leaders by providing a career pathway
23        for teachers interested in serving in leadership
24        roles, but not as principals. The State Board of
25        Education, in consultation with the State Educator
26        Preparation and Licensure Board, may issue a teacher

 

 

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1        leader endorsement under this subdivision (E). Persons
2        who meet and successfully complete the requirements of
3        the endorsement shall be issued a teacher leader
4        endorsement on the Professional Educator License for
5        serving in schools in this State. Teacher leaders may
6        qualify to serve in such positions as department
7        chairs, coaches, mentors, curriculum and instruction
8        leaders, or other leadership positions as defined by
9        the district. The endorsement shall be available to
10        those teachers who (i) hold a Professional Educator
11        License, (ii) hold a master's degree or higher from a
12        regionally accredited institution, (iii) have
13        completed a program of study that has been approved by
14        the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
15        State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and
16        (iv) have successfully demonstrated competencies as
17        defined by rule. have taken coursework in all of the
18        following areas:
19                (I) Leadership.
20                (II) Designing professional development to
21            meet teaching and learning needs.
22                (III) Building school culture that focuses on
23            student learning.
24                (IV) Using assessments to improve student
25            learning and foster school improvement.
26                (V) Building collaboration with teachers and

 

 

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1            stakeholders.
2            A teacher who meets the requirements set forth in
3        this Section and holds a teacher leader endorsement may
4        evaluate teachers pursuant to Section 24A-5 of this
5        Code, provided that the individual has completed the
6        evaluation component required by Section 24A-3 of this
7        Code and a teacher leader is allowed to evaluate
8        personnel under the respective school district's
9        collective bargaining agreement.
10            The State Board of Education, in consultation with
11        the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board,
12        may adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish
13        and implement the teacher leader endorsement program
14        and to specify the positions for which this endorsement
15        shall be required.
16            (F) Special education endorsement. A special
17        education endorsement in one or more areas shall be
18        affixed to a Professional Educator License for any
19        individual that meets those requirements established
20        by the State Board of Education in rules. Special
21        education endorsement areas shall include without
22        limitation the following:
23                (i) Learning Behavior Specialist I;
24                (ii) Learning Behavior Specialist II;
25                (iii) Speech Language Pathologist;
26                (iv) Blind or Visually Impaired;

 

 

SB2912- 29 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1                (v) Deaf-Hard of Hearing; and
2                (vi) Early Childhood Special Education.
3        Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the contrary,
4        the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
5        State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may
6        add additional areas of special education by rule.
7            (G) School support personnel endorsement. School
8        support personnel endorsement areas shall include, but
9        are not limited to, school counselor, marriage and
10        family therapist, school psychologist, school speech
11        and language pathologist, school nurse, and school
12        social worker. This endorsement is for individuals who
13        are not teachers or administrators, but still require
14        licensure to work in an instructional support position
15        in a public or State-operated elementary school,
16        secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement
17        with a governing body or board of control or a charter
18        school operating in compliance with the Charter
19        Schools Law. The school support personnel endorsement
20        shall be affixed to the Professional Educator License
21        and shall meet all of the requirements established in
22        any rules adopted to implement this subdivision (G).
23        The holder of such an endorsement is entitled to all of
24        the rights and privileges granted holders of any other
25        Professional Educator License, including teacher
26        benefits, compensation, and working conditions.

 

 

SB2912- 30 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1            Beginning on January 1, 2014 and ending on April
2        30, 2014, a person holding a Professional Educator
3        License with a school speech and language pathologist
4        (teaching) endorsement may exchange his or her school
5        speech and language pathologist (teaching) endorsement
6        for a school speech and language pathologist
7        (non-teaching) endorsement through application to the
8        State Board of Education. There shall be no cost for
9        this exchange.
10(Source: P.A. 98-413, eff. 8-16-13; 98-610, eff. 12-27-13;
1198-872, eff. 8-11-14; 98-917, eff. 8-15-14; 98-1147, eff.
1212-31-14; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 
13    (105 ILCS 5/21B-30)
14    Sec. 21B-30. Educator testing.
15    (a) This Section applies beginning on July 1, 2012.
16    (b) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
17State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall design
18and implement a system of examinations, which shall be required
19prior to the issuance of educator licenses. These examinations
20and indicators must be based on national and State professional
21teaching standards, as determined by the State Board of
22Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
23and Licensure Board. The State Board of Education may adopt
24such rules as may be necessary to implement and administer this
25Section. No score on a test required under this Section, other

 

 

SB2912- 31 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1than a test of basic skills, shall be more than 10 years old at
2the time that an individual makes application for an educator
3license or endorsement.
4    (c) Applicants seeking a Professional Educator License or
5an Educator License with Stipulations shall be required to pass
6a test of basic skills before the license is issued, unless the
7endorsement the individual is seeking does not require passage
8of the test. All applicants completing Illinois-approved,
9teacher education or school service personnel preparation
10programs shall be required to pass the State Board of
11Education's recognized test of basic skills prior to starting
12their student teaching or starting the final semester of their
13internship, unless required earlier at the discretion of the
14recognized, Illinois institution in which they are completing
15their approved program. An individual who passes a test of
16basic skills does not need to do so again for subsequent
17endorsements or other educator licenses.
18    (d) All applicants seeking a State license shall be
19required to pass a test of content area knowledge for each area
20of endorsement for which there is an applicable test. There
21shall be no exception to this requirement. No candidate shall
22be allowed to student teach or serve as the teacher of record
23until he or she has passed the applicable content area test.
24    (e) (Blank). All applicants seeking a State license
25endorsed in a teaching field shall pass the assessment of
26professional teaching (APT). Passage of the APT is required for

 

 

SB2912- 32 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1completion of an approved Illinois educator preparation
2program.
3    (f) Beginning on September 1, 2015, all candidates
4completing teacher preparation programs in this State and all
5candidates subject to Section 21B-35 of this Code are required
6to pass an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness
7approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with
8the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. All
9recognized institutions offering approved teacher preparation
10programs must begin phasing in the approved teacher performance
11assessment no later than July 1, 2013.
12    (g) Tests of basic skills and content area knowledge and
13the assessment of professional teaching shall be the tests that
14from time to time are designated by the State Board of
15Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
16and Licensure Board, and may be tests prepared by an
17educational testing organization or tests designed by the State
18Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator
19Preparation and Licensure Board. The areas to be covered by a
20test of basic skills shall include reading, language arts, and
21mathematics. The test of content area knowledge shall assess
22content knowledge in a specific subject field. The tests must
23be designed to be racially neutral to ensure that no person
24taking the tests is discriminated against on the basis of race,
25color, national origin, or other factors unrelated to the
26person's ability to perform as a licensed employee. The score

 

 

SB2912- 33 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1required to pass the tests shall be fixed by the State Board of
2Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
3and Licensure Board. The tests shall be administered not fewer
4than 3 times a year at such time and place as may be designated
5by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
6Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
7    The State Board shall implement a test or tests to assess
8the speaking, reading, writing, and grammar skills of
9applicants for an endorsement or a license issued under
10subdivision (G) of paragraph (2) of Section 21B-20 of this Code
11in the English language and in the language of the transitional
12bilingual education program requested by the applicant.
13    (h) Except as provided in Section 34-6 of this Code, the
14provisions of this Section shall apply equally in any school
15district subject to Article 34 of this Code.
16    (i) The rules developed to implement and enforce the
17testing requirements under this Section shall include without
18limitation provisions governing test selection, test
19validation and determination of a passing score,
20administration of the tests, frequency of administration,
21applicant fees, frequency of applicants taking the tests, the
22years for which a score is valid, and appropriate special
23accommodations. The State Board of Education shall develop such
24rules as may be needed to ensure uniformity from year to year
25in the level of difficulty for each form of an assessment.
26(Source: P.A. 98-361, eff. 1-1-14; 98-581, eff. 8-27-13;

 

 

SB2912- 34 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

198-756, eff. 7-16-14; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 
2    (105 ILCS 5/21B-35)
3    Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in
4other states or countries.
5    (a) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
6Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
7institution of higher education applying for a Professional
8Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school support
9personnel area must meet all of the following requirements:
10        (1) Hold a comparable and valid educator license or
11    certificate with similar grade level and subject matter
12    credentials from another state. The State Board of
13    Education shall have the authority to determine what
14    constitutes similar grade level and subject matter
15    credentials from another state. Have completed a
16    comparable state-approved education program, as defined by
17    the State Superintendent of Education.
18        (2) Have a degree from a regionally accredited
19    institution of higher education and the degreed major or a
20    constructed major must directly correspond to the license
21    or endorsement sought.
22        (3) (Blank). Teachers and school support personnel who
23    have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
24    preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher
25    education shall meet the same requirements concerning

 

 

SB2912- 35 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1    courses in the methods of instruction of the exceptional
2    child as candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved
3    educator preparation program in teaching and school
4    support personnel areas, as defined by rules.
5        (4) (Blank). Teachers and school support personnel who
6    have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
7    preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher
8    education shall meet the same requirements concerning
9    coursework in methods of reading and reading in the content
10    area as candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved
11    educator preparation program in teaching and school
12    support personnel areas, as defined by rules.
13        (5) (Blank). Teachers and school support personnel who
14    have not been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator
15    preparation program at an Illinois institution of higher
16    education shall meet the same requirements concerning
17    courses in instructional strategies for English language
18    learners as candidates entitled by an Illinois-approved
19    educator preparation program in teaching and school
20    support personnel areas, as defined by rules.
21        (6) Have successfully met all Illinois examination
22    requirements. Applicants who have successfully completed a
23    test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
24    initial licensure in another state shall not be required to
25    complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who have
26    successfully completed a test of content, as defined by

 

 

SB2912- 36 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1    rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state
2    shall not be required to complete a test of content.
3    Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have
4    successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of
5    teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of
6    initial licensure in another state shall not be required to
7    complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher
8    effectiveness.
9        (7) For applicants for a teaching endorsement, have
10    completed student teaching or an equivalent experience or,
11    for applicants for a school service personnel endorsement,
12    have completed an internship or an equivalent experience.
13    Teachers and school support personnel who have not been
14entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation program
15at an Illinois institution of higher education must submit
16verification to the State Board of Education of having
17completed coursework as required under items (3), (4), and (5)
18of this subsection (a) prior to issuance of a Professional
19Educator License. An individual who is not able to verify
20completion of the coursework as required under items (3), (4),
21and (5) of this subsection (a) may qualify for an Educator
22License with Stipulations with a provisional educator
23endorsement and must complete coursework in those areas
24identified as deficient.
25    If one or more of the criteria in this subsection (a) are
26not met, then applicants who have not been entitled by an

 

 

SB2912- 37 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
2institution of higher education who hold a valid, comparable
3certificate from another state may qualify for a provisional
4educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations,
5in accordance with Section 21B-20 of this Code.
6    (b) In order to receive a Professional Educator License
7endorsed in a teaching field, applicants trained in another
8country must meet all of the following requirements:
9        (1) Have completed a comparable education program in
10    another country.
11        (2) Have had transcripts evaluated by an evaluation
12    service approved by the State Superintendent of Education.
13        (3) Hold a degreed major that must directly correspond
14    to the license or endorsement sought.
15        (4) (Blank). Have completed coursework in the methods
16    of instruction of the exceptional child.
17        (5) (Blank). Have completed coursework in methods of
18    reading and reading in the content area.
19        (6) (Blank). Have completed coursework in
20    instructional strategies for English learners.
21        (7) Have successfully met all State licensure
22    examination requirements. Applicants who have successfully
23    completed a test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at
24    the time of initial licensure in another country shall not
25    be required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants
26    who have successfully completed a test of content, as

 

 

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1    defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in
2    another country shall not be required to complete a test of
3    content. Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have
4    successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of
5    teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of
6    initial licensure in another country shall not be required
7    to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher
8    effectiveness.
9        (8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent
10    experience.
11    Applicants trained in another country must submit
12verification to the State Board of Education of having
13completed coursework as required under items (4), (5), and (6)
14of this subsection (b) prior to issuance of a Professional
15Educator License. Individuals who are not able to verify
16completion of the coursework as required under items (4), (5),
17and (6) of this subsection (b) may qualify for an Educator
18License with Stipulations with a provisional educator
19endorsement and must complete coursework in those areas
20identified as deficient.
21    If one or more of the criteria in this subsection (b) are
22not met, then an applicant trained in another country may
23qualify for a provisional educator endorsement on an Educator
24License with Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of
25this Code.
26    (b-5) All applicants who have not been entitled by an

 

 

SB2912- 39 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
2institution of higher education and applicants trained in
3another country applying for a Professional Educator License
4endorsed for principal or superintendent must meet all of the
5following requirements:
6        (1) Have completed an educator preparation program
7    approved by another state or comparable educator program in
8    another country leading to the receipt of a license or
9    certificate for the Illinois endorsement sought.
10        (2) Have successfully met all State licensure
11    examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of
12    this Code. Applicants who have successfully completed a
13    test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
14    initial licensure in another state or country shall not be
15    required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who
16    have successfully completed a test of content, as defined
17    by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state
18    or country shall not be required to complete a test of
19    content.
20        (3) (Blank). Have received a certificate or license
21    endorsed in a teaching field.
22    A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a
23superintendent or principal may be affixed to an Educator
24License with Stipulations in accordance with Section 21B-20 of
25this Code.
26    (b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an

 

 

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1Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
2institution of higher education applying for a Professional
3Educator License endorsed for chief school business official
4must meet all of the following requirements:
5        (1) Have completed a master's degree in school business
6    management, finance, or accounting.
7        (2) Have successfully completed an internship in
8    school business management or have 2 years of experience as
9    a school business administrator.
10        (3) Have successfully met all State examination
11    requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
12        (4) Have successfully completed modules in reading
13    methods, special education, and English Learners.
14    A provisional educator endorsement to serve as a chief
15school business official may be affixed to an Educator License
16with Stipulations.
17    (c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
18State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
19rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.
20(Source: P.A. 98-581, eff. 8-27-13; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 
21    (105 ILCS 5/21B-40)
22    Sec. 21B-40. Fees.
23    (a) Beginning with the start of the new licensure system
24established pursuant to this Article, the following fees shall
25be charged to applicants:

 

 

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1        (1) A $75 application fee for a Professional Educator
2    License or an Educator License with Stipulations and for
3    individuals seeking a Substitute Teaching License.
4    However, beginning on January 1, 2015, the application fee
5    for a Professional Educator License and , Educator License
6    with Stipulations, or Substitute Teaching License shall be
7    $100.
8        (1.5) A $50 application fee for a Substitute Teaching
9    License.
10        (2) A $150 application fee for individuals who have not
11    been entitled by an Illinois-approved educator preparation
12    program at an Illinois institution of higher education and
13    are seeking any of the licenses set forth in subdivision
14    (1) of this subsection (a).
15        (3) A $50 application fee for each endorsement or
16    approval an individual holding a license wishes to add to
17    that license.
18        (4) A $10 per year registration fee for the course of
19    the validity cycle to register the license, which shall be
20    paid to the regional office of education having supervision
21    and control over the school in which the individual holding
22    the license is to be employed. If the individual holding
23    the license is not yet employed, then the license may be
24    registered in any county in this State. The registration
25    fee must be paid in its entirety the first time the
26    individual registers the license for a particular validity

 

 

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1    period in a single region. No additional fee may be charged
2    for that validity period should the individual
3    subsequently register the license in additional regions.
4    An individual must register the license (i) immediately
5    after initial issuance of the license and (ii) at the
6    beginning of each renewal cycle if the individual has
7    satisfied the renewal requirements required under this
8    Code.
9    (b) All application fees paid pursuant to subdivisions (1)
10through (3) of subsection (a) of this Section shall be
11deposited into the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund and
12shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board of
13Education to provide the technology and human resources
14necessary for the timely and efficient processing of
15applications and for the renewal of licenses. Funds available
16from the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund may also be
17used by the State Board of Education to support the recruitment
18and retention of educators, to support educator preparation
19programs as they seek national accreditation, and to provide
20professional development aligned with the requirements set
21forth in Section 21B-45 of this Code. A majority of the funds
22in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund must be dedicated
23to the timely and efficient processing of applications and for
24the renewal of licenses. The Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
25Fund is not subject to administrative charge transfers,
26authorized under Section 8h of the State Finance Act, from the

 

 

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1Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund into any other fund of
2this State, and moneys in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving
3Fund shall not revert back to the General Revenue Fund at any
4time.
5    The regional superintendent of schools shall deposit the
6registration fees paid pursuant to subdivision (4) of
7subsection (a) of this Section into the institute fund
8established pursuant to Section 3-11 of this Code.
9    (c) The State Board of Education and each regional office
10of education are authorized to charge a service or convenience
11fee for the use of credit cards for the payment of license
12fees. This service or convenience fee shall not exceed the
13amount required by the credit card processing company or vendor
14that has entered into a contract with the State Board or
15regional office of education for this purpose, and the fee must
16be paid to that company or vendor.
17    (d) If, at the time a certificate issued under Article 21
18of this Code is exchanged for a license issued under this
19Article, a person has paid registration fees for any years of
20the validity period of the certificate and these years have not
21expired when the certificate is exchanged, then those fees must
22be applied to the registration of the new license.
23(Source: P.A. 98-610, eff. 12-27-13; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15.)
 
24    (105 ILCS 5/21B-45)
25    Sec. 21B-45. Professional Educator License renewal.

 

 

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1    (a) Individuals holding a Professional Educator License
2are required to complete the licensure renewal requirements as
3specified in this Section, unless otherwise provided in this
4Code.
5    Individuals holding a Professional Educator License shall
6meet the renewal requirements set forth in this Section, unless
7otherwise provided in this Code. If an individual holds a
8license endorsed in more than one area that has different
9renewal requirements, that individual shall follow the renewal
10requirements for the position for which he or she spends the
11majority of his or her time working.
12    (b) All Professional Educator Licenses not renewed as
13provided in this Section shall lapse on September 1 of that
14year. Lapsed licenses may be immediately reinstated upon (i)
15payment by the applicant of a $500 penalty to the State Board
16of Education or (ii) the demonstration of proficiency by
17completing 9 semester hours of coursework from a regionally
18accredited institution of higher education in the content area
19that most aligns with one or more of the educator's endorsement
20areas. Any and all back fees, including without limitation
21registration fees owed from the time of expiration of the
22license until the date of reinstatement, shall be paid and kept
23in accordance with the provisions in Article 3 of this Code
24concerning an institute fund and the provisions in Article 21B
25of this Code concerning fees and requirements for registration.
26Licenses not registered in accordance with Section 21B-40 of

 

 

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1this Code shall lapse after a period of 6 months from the
2expiration of the last year of registration. An unregistered
3license is invalid after September 1 for employment and
4performance of services in an Illinois public or State-operated
5school or cooperative and in a charter school. Any license or
6endorsement may be voluntarily surrendered by the license
7holder. A voluntarily surrendered license, except a substitute
8teaching license issued under Section 21B-20 of this Code,
9shall be treated as a revoked license. An Educator License with
10Stipulations with only a paraprofessional endorsement does not
11lapse.
12    (c) From July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, in order to
13satisfy the requirements for licensure renewal provided for in
14this Section, each professional educator licensee with an
15administrative endorsement who is working in a position
16requiring such endorsement shall complete one Illinois
17Administrators' Academy course, as described in Article 2 of
18this Code, per fiscal year.
19    (d) Beginning July 1, 2014, in order to satisfy the
20requirements for licensure renewal provided for in this
21Section, each professional educator licensee may create a
22professional development plan each year. The plan shall address
23one or more of the endorsements that are required of his or her
24educator position if the licensee is employed and performing
25services in an Illinois public or State-operated school or
26cooperative. If the licensee is employed in a charter school,

 

 

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1the plan shall address that endorsement or those endorsements
2most closely related to his or her educator position. Licensees
3employed and performing services in any other Illinois schools
4may participate in the renewal requirements by adhering to the
5same process.
6    Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the
7licensee's professional development activities shall align
8with one or more of the following criteria:
9        (1) activities are of a type that engage participants
10    over a sustained period of time allowing for analysis,
11    discovery, and application as they relate to student
12    learning, social or emotional achievement, or well-being;
13        (2) professional development aligns to the licensee's
14    performance;
15        (3) outcomes for the activities must relate to student
16    growth or district improvement;
17        (4) activities align to State-approved standards; and
18        (5) higher education coursework.
19    (e) For each renewal cycle, each professional educator
20licensee shall engage in professional development activities.
21Prior to renewal, the licensee shall enter electronically into
22the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) the name,
23date, and location of the activity, the number of professional
24development hours, and the provider's name. The following
25provisions shall apply concerning professional development
26activities:

 

 

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1        (1) Each licensee shall complete a total of 120 hours
2    of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in
3    order to renew the license, except as otherwise provided in
4    this Section.
5        (2) Beginning with his or her first full 5-year cycle,
6    any licensee with an administrative endorsement who is not
7    working in a position requiring such endorsement shall
8    complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course, as
9    described in Article 2 of this Code, in each 5-year renewal
10    cycle in which the administrative endorsement was held for
11    at least one year. The Illinois Administrators' Academy
12    course may count toward the total of 120 hours per 5-year
13    cycle.
14        (3) Any licensee with an administrative endorsement
15    who is working in a position requiring such endorsement or
16    an individual with a Teacher Leader endorsement serving in
17    an administrative capacity at least 50% of the day shall
18    complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course, as
19    described in Article 2 of this Code, each fiscal year in
20    addition to 100 hours of professional development per
21    5-year renewal cycle in accordance with this Code.
22        (4) Any licensee holding a current National Board for
23    Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) master teacher
24    designation shall complete a total of 60 hours of
25    professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in order
26    to renew the license.

 

 

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1        (5) Licensees working in a position that does not
2    require educator licensure or working in a position for
3    less than 50% for any particular year are considered to be
4    exempt and shall be required to pay only the registration
5    fee in order to renew and maintain the validity of the
6    license.
7        (6) Licensees who are retired and qualify for benefits
8    from a State retirement system shall notify the State Board
9    of Education using ELIS, and the license shall be
10    maintained in retired status. For any renewal cycle in
11    which a licensee retires during the renewal cycle, the
12    licensee must complete professional development activities
13    on a prorated basis depending on the number of years during
14    the renewal cycle the educator held an active license. If a
15    licensee retires during a renewal cycle, the licensee must
16    notify the State Board of Education using ELIS that the
17    licensee wishes to maintain the license in retired status
18    and must show proof of completion of professional
19    development activities on a prorated basis for all years of
20    that renewal cycle for which the license was active. An
21    individual with a license in retired status shall not be
22    required to complete professional development activities
23    or pay registration fees until returning to a position that
24    requires educator licensure. Upon returning to work in a
25    position that requires the Professional Educator License,
26    the licensee shall immediately pay a registration fee and

 

 

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1    complete renewal requirements for that year. A license in
2    retired status cannot lapse. Beginning on the effective
3    date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly
4    through December 31, 2017, any licensee who has retired and
5    whose license has lapsed for failure to renew as provided
6    in this Section may reinstate that license and maintain it
7    in retired status upon providing proof to the State Board
8    of Education using ELIS that the licensee is retired and is
9    not working in a position that requires a Professional
10    Educator License.
11        (7) For any renewal cycle in which professional
12    development hours were required, but not fulfilled, the
13    licensee shall complete any missed hours to total the
14    minimum professional development hours required in this
15    Section prior to September 1 of that year. For any fiscal
16    year or renewal cycle in which an Illinois Administrators'
17    Academy course was required but not completed, the licensee
18    shall complete any missed Illinois Administrators' Academy
19    courses prior to September 1 of that year. The licensee may
20    complete all deficient hours and Illinois Administrators'
21    Academy courses while continuing to work in a position that
22    requires that license until September 1 of that year.
23        (8) Any licensee who has not fulfilled the professional
24    development renewal requirements set forth in this Section
25    at the end of any 5-year renewal cycle is ineligible to
26    register his or her license and may submit an appeal to the

 

 

SB2912- 50 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1    State Superintendent of Education for reinstatement of the
2    license.
3        (9) If professional development opportunities were
4    unavailable to a licensee, proof that opportunities were
5    unavailable and request for an extension of time beyond
6    August 31 to complete the renewal requirements may be
7    submitted from April 1 through June 30 of that year to the
8    State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. If an
9    extension is approved, the license shall remain valid
10    during the extension period.
11        (10) Individuals who hold exempt licenses prior to
12    December 27, 2013 (the effective date of Public Act 98-610)
13    this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly shall
14    commence the annual renewal process with the first
15    scheduled registration due after December 27, 2013 (the
16    effective date of Public Act 98-610) this amendatory Act of
17    the 98th General Assembly.
18    (f) At the time of renewal, each licensee shall respond to
19the required questions under penalty of perjury.
20    (g) The following entities shall be designated as approved
21to provide professional development activities for the renewal
22of Professional Educator Licenses:
23        (1) The State Board of Education.
24        (2) Regional offices of education and intermediate
25    service centers.
26        (3) Illinois professional associations representing

 

 

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1    the following groups that are approved by the State
2    Superintendent of Education:
3            (A) school administrators;
4            (B) principals;
5            (C) school business officials;
6            (D) teachers, including special education
7        teachers;
8            (E) school boards;
9            (F) school districts;
10            (G) parents; and
11            (H) school service personnel.
12        (4) Regionally accredited institutions of higher
13    education that offer Illinois-approved educator
14    preparation programs and public community colleges subject
15    to the Public Community College Act.
16        (5) Illinois public school districts, charter schools
17    authorized under Article 27A of this Code, and joint
18    educational programs authorized under Article 10 of this
19    Code for the purposes of providing career and technical
20    education or special education services.
21        (6) A not-for-profit organization that, as of December
22    31, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act 98-1147) this
23    amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, has had or has
24    a grant from or a contract with the State Board of
25    Education to provide professional development services in
26    the area of English Learning to Illinois school districts,

 

 

SB2912- 52 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1    teachers, or administrators.
2        (7) State agencies, State boards, and State
3    commissions.
4        (8) (7) Museums as defined in Section 10 of the Museum
5    Disposition of Property Act.
6    (h) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
7shall make available professional development opportunities
8that satisfy at least one of the following:
9        (1) increase the knowledge and skills of school and
10    district leaders who guide continuous professional
11    development;
12        (2) improve the learning of students;
13        (3) organize adults into learning communities whose
14    goals are aligned with those of the school and district;
15        (4) deepen educator's content knowledge;
16        (5) provide educators with research-based
17    instructional strategies to assist students in meeting
18    rigorous academic standards;
19        (6) prepare educators to appropriately use various
20    types of classroom assessments;
21        (7) use learning strategies appropriate to the
22    intended goals;
23        (8) provide educators with the knowledge and skills to
24    collaborate; or
25        (9) prepare educators to apply research to
26    decision-making.

 

 

SB2912- 53 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1    (i) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
2shall do the following:
3        (1) align professional development activities to the
4    State-approved national standards for professional
5    learning;
6        (2) meet the professional development criteria for
7    Illinois licensure renewal;
8        (3) produce a rationale for the activity that explains
9    how it aligns to State standards and identify the
10    assessment for determining the expected impact on student
11    learning or school improvement;
12        (4) maintain original documentation for completion of
13    activities; and
14        (5) provide license holders with evidence of
15    completion of activities.
16    (j) The State Board of Education shall conduct annual
17audits of approved providers, except for school districts,
18which shall be audited by regional offices of education and
19intermediate service centers. The State Board of Education
20shall complete random audits of licensees.
21        (1) Approved providers shall annually submit to the
22    State Board of Education a list of subcontractors used for
23    delivery of professional development activities for which
24    renewal credit was issued and other information as defined
25    by rule.
26        (2) Approved providers shall annually submit data to

 

 

SB2912- 54 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1    the State Board of Education demonstrating how the
2    professional development activities impacted one or more
3    of the following:
4            (A) educator and student growth in regards to
5        content knowledge or skills, or both;
6            (B) educator and student social and emotional
7        growth; or
8            (C) alignment to district or school improvement
9        plans.
10        (3) The State Superintendent of Education shall review
11    the annual data collected by the State Board of Education,
12    regional offices of education, and intermediate service
13    centers in audits to determine if the approved provider has
14    met the criteria and should continue to be an approved
15    provider or if further action should be taken as provided
16    in rules.
17    (k) Registration fees shall be paid for the next renewal
18cycle between April 1 and June 30 in the last year of each
195-year renewal cycle using ELIS. If all required professional
20development hours for the renewal cycle have been completed and
21entered by the licensee, the licensee shall pay the
22registration fees for the next cycle using a form of credit or
23debit card.
24    (l) Beginning July 1, 2014, any professional educator
25licensee endorsed for school support personnel who is employed
26and performing services in Illinois public schools and who

 

 

SB2912- 55 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1holds an active and current professional license issued by the
2Department of Financial and Professional Regulation related to
3the endorsement areas on the Professional Educator License
4shall be deemed to have satisfied the continuing professional
5development requirements provided for in this Section. Such
6individuals shall be required to pay only registration fees to
7renew the Professional Educator License. An individual who does
8not hold a license issued by the Department of Financial and
9Professional Regulation shall complete professional
10development requirements for the renewal of a Professional
11Educator License provided for in this Section.
12    (m) Appeals to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
13Board must be made within 30 days after receipt of notice from
14the State Superintendent of Education that a license will not
15be renewed based upon failure to complete the requirements of
16this Section. A licensee may appeal that decision to the State
17Educator Preparation and Licensure Board in a manner prescribed
18by rule.
19        (1) Each appeal shall state the reasons why the State
20    Superintendent's decision should be reversed and shall be
21    sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
22    State Board of Education.
23        (2) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
24    shall review each appeal regarding renewal of a license
25    within 90 days after receiving the appeal in order to
26    determine whether the licensee has met the requirements of

 

 

SB2912- 56 -LRB099 19280 NHT 45355 b

1    this Section. The State Educator Preparation and Licensure
2    Board may hold an appeal hearing or may make its
3    determination based upon the record of review, which shall
4    consist of the following:
5            (A) the regional superintendent of education's
6        rationale for recommending nonrenewal of the license,
7        if applicable;
8            (B) any evidence submitted to the State
9        Superintendent along with the individual's electronic
10        statement of assurance for renewal; and
11            (C) the State Superintendent's rationale for
12        nonrenewal of the license.
13        (3) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
14    shall notify the licensee of its decision regarding license
15    renewal by certified mail, return receipt requested, no
16    later than 30 days after reaching a decision. Upon receipt
17    of notification of renewal, the licensee, using ELIS, shall
18    pay the applicable registration fee for the next cycle
19    using a form of credit or debit card.
20    (n) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as may be
21necessary to implement this Section.
22(Source: P.A. 98-610, eff. 12-27-13; 98-1147, eff. 12-31-14;
2399-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-130, eff. 7-24-15; revised 10-21-15.)