Bill Text: IL HB0355 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Enrolled

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Amends the School Code. Provides that an approved provider of professional development activities for the renewal of a Professional Educator License may make available a professional development opportunity that provides educators with training on inclusive practices in the classroom that examines instructional and behavioral strategies that improve academic and social-emotional outcomes for all students, with or without disabilities, in a general education setting.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 4-1)

Status: (Passed) 2019-07-19 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 101-0085 [HB0355 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-HB0355-Enrolled.html

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AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section
21B-45 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/21B-45)
Sec. 21B-45. Professional Educator License renewal.
(a) Individuals holding a Professional Educator License
are required to complete the licensure renewal requirements as
specified in this Section, unless otherwise provided in this
Code.
Individuals holding a Professional Educator License shall
meet the renewal requirements set forth in this Section, unless
otherwise provided in this Code. If an individual holds a
license endorsed in more than one area that has different
renewal requirements, that individual shall follow the renewal
requirements for the position for which he or she spends the
majority of his or her time working.
(b) All Professional Educator Licenses not renewed as
provided in this Section shall lapse on September 1 of that
year. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, if
a license holder's electronic mail address is available, the
State Board of Education shall send him or her notification

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electronically that his or her license will lapse if not
renewed, to be sent no more than 6 months prior to the license
lapsing. Lapsed licenses may be immediately reinstated upon (i)
payment by the applicant of a $500 penalty to the State Board
of Education or (ii) the demonstration of proficiency by
completing 9 semester hours of coursework from a regionally
accredited institution of higher education in the content area
that most aligns with one or more of the educator's endorsement
areas. Any and all back fees, including without limitation
registration fees owed from the time of expiration of the
license until the date of reinstatement, shall be paid and kept
in accordance with the provisions in Article 3 of this Code
concerning an institute fund and the provisions in Article 21B
of this Code concerning fees and requirements for registration.
Licenses not registered in accordance with Section 21B-40 of
this Code shall lapse after a period of 6 months from the
expiration of the last year of registration or on January 1 of
the fiscal year following initial issuance of the license. An
unregistered license is invalid after September 1 for
employment and performance of services in an Illinois public or
State-operated school or cooperative and in a charter school.
Any license or endorsement may be voluntarily surrendered by
the license holder. A voluntarily surrendered license, except a
substitute teaching license issued under Section 21B-20 of this
Code, shall be treated as a revoked license. An Educator
License with Stipulations with only a paraprofessional

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endorsement does not lapse.
(c) From July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, in order to
satisfy the requirements for licensure renewal provided for in
this Section, each professional educator licensee with an
administrative endorsement who is working in a position
requiring such endorsement shall complete one Illinois
Administrators' Academy course, as described in Article 2 of
this Code, per fiscal year.
(d) Beginning July 1, 2014, in order to satisfy the
requirements for licensure renewal provided for in this
Section, each professional educator licensee may create a
professional development plan each year. The plan shall address
one or more of the endorsements that are required of his or her
educator position if the licensee is employed and performing
services in an Illinois public or State-operated school or
cooperative. If the licensee is employed in a charter school,
the plan shall address that endorsement or those endorsements
most closely related to his or her educator position. Licensees
employed and performing services in any other Illinois schools
may participate in the renewal requirements by adhering to the
same process.
Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the
licensee's professional development activities shall align
with one or more of the following criteria:
(1) activities are of a type that engage participants
over a sustained period of time allowing for analysis,

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discovery, and application as they relate to student
learning, social or emotional achievement, or well-being;
(2) professional development aligns to the licensee's
performance;
(3) outcomes for the activities must relate to student
growth or district improvement;
(4) activities align to State-approved standards; and
(5) higher education coursework.
(e) For each renewal cycle, each professional educator
licensee shall engage in professional development activities.
Prior to renewal, the licensee shall enter electronically into
the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) the name,
date, and location of the activity, the number of professional
development hours, and the provider's name. The following
provisions shall apply concerning professional development
activities:
(1) Each licensee shall complete a total of 120 hours
of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in
order to renew the license, except as otherwise provided in
this Section.
(2) Beginning with his or her first full 5-year cycle,
any licensee with an administrative endorsement who is not
working in a position requiring such endorsement is not
required to complete Illinois Administrators' Academy
courses, as described in Article 2 of this Code. Such
licensees must complete one Illinois Administrators'

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Academy course within one year after returning to a
position that requires the administrative endorsement.
(3) Any licensee with an administrative endorsement
who is working in a position requiring such endorsement or
an individual with a Teacher Leader endorsement serving in
an administrative capacity at least 50% of the day shall
complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course, as
described in Article 2 of this Code, each fiscal year in
addition to 100 hours of professional development per
5-year renewal cycle in accordance with this Code.
(4) Any licensee holding a current National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) master teacher
designation shall complete a total of 60 hours of
professional development per 5-year renewal cycle in order
to renew the license.
(5) Licensees working in a position that does not
require educator licensure or working in a position for
less than 50% for any particular year are considered to be
exempt and shall be required to pay only the registration
fee in order to renew and maintain the validity of the
license.
(6) Licensees who are retired and qualify for benefits
from a State of Illinois retirement system shall notify the
State Board of Education using ELIS, and the license shall
be maintained in retired status. For any renewal cycle in
which a licensee retires during the renewal cycle, the

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licensee must complete professional development activities
on a prorated basis depending on the number of years during
the renewal cycle the educator held an active license. If a
licensee retires during a renewal cycle, the licensee must
notify the State Board of Education using ELIS that the
licensee wishes to maintain the license in retired status
and must show proof of completion of professional
development activities on a prorated basis for all years of
that renewal cycle for which the license was active. An
individual with a license in retired status shall not be
required to complete professional development activities
or pay registration fees until returning to a position that
requires educator licensure. Upon returning to work in a
position that requires the Professional Educator License,
the licensee shall immediately pay a registration fee and
complete renewal requirements for that year. A license in
retired status cannot lapse. Beginning on January 6, 2017
(the effective date of Public Act 99-920) through December
31, 2017, any licensee who has retired and whose license
has lapsed for failure to renew as provided in this Section
may reinstate that license and maintain it in retired
status upon providing proof to the State Board of Education
using ELIS that the licensee is retired and is not working
in a position that requires a Professional Educator
License.
(7) For any renewal cycle in which professional

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development hours were required, but not fulfilled, the
licensee shall complete any missed hours to total the
minimum professional development hours required in this
Section prior to September 1 of that year. Professional
development hours used to fulfill the minimum required
hours for a renewal cycle may be used for only one renewal
cycle. For any fiscal year or renewal cycle in which an
Illinois Administrators' Academy course was required but
not completed, the licensee shall complete any missed
Illinois Administrators' Academy courses prior to
September 1 of that year. The licensee may complete all
deficient hours and Illinois Administrators' Academy
courses while continuing to work in a position that
requires that license until September 1 of that year.
(8) Any licensee who has not fulfilled the professional
development renewal requirements set forth in this Section
at the end of any 5-year renewal cycle is ineligible to
register his or her license and may submit an appeal to the
State Superintendent of Education for reinstatement of the
license.
(9) If professional development opportunities were
unavailable to a licensee, proof that opportunities were
unavailable and request for an extension of time beyond
August 31 to complete the renewal requirements may be
submitted from April 1 through June 30 of that year to the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. If an

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extension is approved, the license shall remain valid
during the extension period.
(10) Individuals who hold exempt licenses prior to
December 27, 2013 (the effective date of Public Act 98-610)
shall commence the annual renewal process with the first
scheduled registration due after December 27, 2013 (the
effective date of Public Act 98-610).
(11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
subsection (e), if a licensee earns more than the required
number of professional development hours during a renewal
cycle, then the licensee may carry over any hours earned
from April 1 through June 30 of the last year of the
renewal cycle. Any hours carried over in this manner must
be applied to the next renewal cycle. Illinois
Administrators' Academy courses or hours earned in those
courses may not be carried over.
(f) At the time of renewal, each licensee shall respond to
the required questions under penalty of perjury.
(g) The following entities shall be designated as approved
to provide professional development activities for the renewal
of Professional Educator Licenses:
(1) The State Board of Education.
(2) Regional offices of education and intermediate
service centers.
(3) Illinois professional associations representing
the following groups that are approved by the State

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Superintendent of Education:
(A) school administrators;
(B) principals;
(C) school business officials;
(D) teachers, including special education
teachers;
(E) school boards;
(F) school districts;
(G) parents; and
(H) school service personnel.
(4) Regionally accredited institutions of higher
education that offer Illinois-approved educator
preparation programs and public community colleges subject
to the Public Community College Act.
(5) Illinois public school districts, charter schools
authorized under Article 27A of this Code, and joint
educational programs authorized under Article 10 of this
Code for the purposes of providing career and technical
education or special education services.
(6) A not-for-profit organization that, as of December
31, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act 98-1147), has
had or has a grant from or a contract with the State Board
of Education to provide professional development services
in the area of English Learning to Illinois school
districts, teachers, or administrators.
(7) State agencies, State boards, and State

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commissions.
(8) Museums as defined in Section 10 of the Museum
Disposition of Property Act.
(h) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
shall make available professional development opportunities
that satisfy at least one of the following:
(1) increase the knowledge and skills of school and
district leaders who guide continuous professional
development;
(2) improve the learning of students;
(3) organize adults into learning communities whose
goals are aligned with those of the school and district;
(4) deepen educator's content knowledge;
(5) provide educators with research-based
instructional strategies to assist students in meeting
rigorous academic standards;
(6) prepare educators to appropriately use various
types of classroom assessments;
(7) use learning strategies appropriate to the
intended goals;
(8) provide educators with the knowledge and skills to
collaborate; or
(9) prepare educators to apply research to
decision-making; or .
(10) provide educators with training on inclusive
practices in the classroom that examines instructional and

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behavioral strategies that improve academic and
social-emotional outcomes for all students, with or
without disabilities, in a general education setting.
(i) Approved providers under subsection (g) of this Section
shall do the following:
(1) align professional development activities to the
State-approved national standards for professional
learning;
(2) meet the professional development criteria for
Illinois licensure renewal;
(3) produce a rationale for the activity that explains
how it aligns to State standards and identify the
assessment for determining the expected impact on student
learning or school improvement;
(4) maintain original documentation for completion of
activities;
(5) provide license holders with evidence of
completion of activities; and
(6) request an Illinois Educator Identification Number
(IEIN) for each educator during each professional
development activity.
(j) The State Board of Education shall conduct annual
audits of a subset of approved providers, except for school
districts, which shall be audited by regional offices of
education and intermediate service centers. The State Board of
Education shall ensure that each approved provider, except for

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a school district, is audited at least once every 5 years. The
State Board of Education may conduct more frequent audits of
providers if evidence suggests the requirements of this Section
or administrative rules are not being met. The State Board of
Education shall complete random audits of licensees.
(1) (Blank).
(2) Approved providers shall comply with the
requirements in subsections (h) and (i) of this Section by
annually submitting data to the State Board of Education
demonstrating how the professional development activities
impacted one or more of the following:
(A) educator and student growth in regards to
content knowledge or skills, or both;
(B) educator and student social and emotional
growth; or
(C) alignment to district or school improvement
plans.
(3) The State Superintendent of Education shall review
the annual data collected by the State Board of Education,
regional offices of education, and intermediate service
centers in audits to determine if the approved provider has
met the criteria and should continue to be an approved
provider or if further action should be taken as provided
in rules.
(k) Registration fees shall be paid for the next renewal
cycle between April 1 and June 30 in the last year of each

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5-year renewal cycle using ELIS. If all required professional
development hours for the renewal cycle have been completed and
entered by the licensee, the licensee shall pay the
registration fees for the next cycle using a form of credit or
debit card.
(l) Any professional educator licensee endorsed for school
support personnel who is employed and performing services in
Illinois public schools and who holds an active and current
professional license issued by the Department of Financial and
Professional Regulation or a national certification board, as
approved by the State Board of Education, related to the
endorsement areas on the Professional Educator License shall be
deemed to have satisfied the continuing professional
development requirements provided for in this Section. Such
individuals shall be required to pay only registration fees to
renew the Professional Educator License. An individual who does
not hold a license issued by the Department of Financial and
Professional Regulation shall complete professional
development requirements for the renewal of a Professional
Educator License provided for in this Section.
(m) Appeals to the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board must be made within 30 days after receipt of notice from
the State Superintendent of Education that a license will not
be renewed based upon failure to complete the requirements of
this Section. A licensee may appeal that decision to the State
Educator Preparation and Licensure Board in a manner prescribed

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by rule.
(1) Each appeal shall state the reasons why the State
Superintendent's decision should be reversed and shall be
sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
State Board of Education.
(2) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
shall review each appeal regarding renewal of a license
within 90 days after receiving the appeal in order to
determine whether the licensee has met the requirements of
this Section. The State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board may hold an appeal hearing or may make its
determination based upon the record of review, which shall
consist of the following:
(A) the regional superintendent of education's
rationale for recommending nonrenewal of the license,
if applicable;
(B) any evidence submitted to the State
Superintendent along with the individual's electronic
statement of assurance for renewal; and
(C) the State Superintendent's rationale for
nonrenewal of the license.
(3) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board
shall notify the licensee of its decision regarding license
renewal by certified mail, return receipt requested, no
later than 30 days after reaching a decision. Upon receipt
of notification of renewal, the licensee, using ELIS, shall

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pay the applicable registration fee for the next cycle
using a form of credit or debit card.
(n) The State Board of Education may adopt rules as may be
necessary to implement this Section.
(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-130, eff. 7-24-15;
99-591, eff. 1-1-17; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17;
100-13, eff. 7-1-17; 100-339, eff. 8-25-17; 100-596, eff.
7-1-18; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)