Bill Text: IL SB1952 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. With regard to endorsements on licenses, provides that, for a special education endorsement in the area of Early Childhood Special Education, an individual may satisfy the student teaching requirement of his or her early childhood teacher preparation program through placement in a setting with children from birth through grade 2, and the individual may be paid and receive credit while student teaching. Provides that the student teaching experience must meet the requirements of and be approved by the individual's early childhood teacher preparation program. Provides that, subject to appropriation, an individual who holds a Professional Educator License and is employed for a minimum of one school year by a school district designated as Tier 1 under the evidence-based funding formula may, after application to the State Board of Education, receive from the State Board a refund for any costs associated with completing the teacher performance assessment required to obtain his or her license. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 38-15)

Status: (Passed) 2019-08-08 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 101-0220 [SB1952 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SB1952-Chaptered.html

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Public Act 101-0220
SB1952 Enrolled LRB101 10858 AXK 55998 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 10. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
21B-20, 21B-25, 21B-30, 21B-35, 21B-50, 21B-55, and 27A-10 and
by adding Section 24-8.5 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/21B-20)
Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. The State Board of
Education shall implement a system of educator licensure,
whereby individuals employed in school districts who are
required to be licensed must have one of the following
licenses: (i) a professional educator license; (ii) an educator
license with stipulations; (iii) a substitute teaching
license; or (iv) until June 30, 2023, a short-term substitute
teaching license. References in law regarding individuals
certified or certificated or required to be certified or
certificated under Article 21 of this Code shall also include
individuals licensed or required to be licensed under this
Article. The first year of all licenses ends on June 30
following one full year of the license being issued.
The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
rules as may be necessary to govern the requirements for

licenses and endorsements under this Section.
(1) Professional Educator License. Persons who (i)
have successfully completed an approved educator
preparation program and are recommended for licensure by
the Illinois institution offering the educator preparation
program, (ii) have successfully completed the required
testing under Section 21B-30 of this Code, (iii) have
successfully completed coursework on the psychology of,
the identification of, and the methods of instruction for
the exceptional child, including without limitation
children with learning disabilities, (iv) have
successfully completed coursework in methods of reading
and reading in the content area, and (v) have met all other
criteria established by rule of the State Board of
Education shall be issued a Professional Educator License.
All Professional Educator Licenses are valid until June 30
immediately following 5 years of the license being issued.
The Professional Educator License shall be endorsed with
specific areas and grade levels in which the individual is
eligible to practice. For an early childhood education
endorsement, an individual may satisfy the student
teaching requirement of his or her early childhood teacher
preparation program through placement in a setting with
children from birth through grade 2, and the individual may
be paid and receive credit while student teaching. The
student teaching experience must meet the requirements of

and be approved by the individual's early childhood teacher
preparation program.
Individuals can receive subsequent endorsements on the
Professional Educator License. Subsequent endorsements
shall require a minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework
in the endorsement area and passage of the applicable
content area test, unless otherwise specified by rule.
(2) Educator License with Stipulations. An Educator
License with Stipulations shall be issued an endorsement
that limits the license holder to one particular position
or does not require completion of an approved educator
program or both.
An individual with an Educator License with
Stipulations must not be employed by a school district or
any other entity to replace any presently employed teacher
who otherwise would not be replaced for any reason.
An Educator License with Stipulations may be issued
with the following endorsements:
(A) (Blank). A A provisional educator endorsement
for a service member or a spouse of a service member is
valid until June 30 immediately following 3 years of
the license being issued, provided that any remaining
testing and coursework deficiencies are met under this
Section. In this Section, "spouse of a service member"
means any person who, at the time of application under
this Section, is the spouse of an active duty member of

the United States Armed Forces or any reserve component
of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard
of any state, commonwealth, or territory of the United
States or the District of Columbia.
Except as otherwise provided under this
subparagraph, a
(B) Alternative provisional educator. An
alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an
applicant who, at the time of applying for the
endorsement, has done all of the following:
(i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
college or university with a minimum of a
bachelor's degree.
(ii) Successfully completed the first phase of
the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
Teachers, as described in Section 21B-50 of this
Code.
(iii) Passed a test of basic skills and content
area test, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
The alternative provisional educator endorsement is
valid for 2 years of teaching and may be renewed for a
third year by an individual meeting the requirements set
forth in Section 21B-50 of this Code.
(C) Alternative provisional superintendent. An

alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations entitles the
holder to serve only as a superintendent or assistant
superintendent in a school district's central office.
This endorsement may only be issued to an applicant
who, at the time of applying for the endorsement, has
done all of the following:
(i) Graduated from a regionally accredited
college or university with a minimum of a master's
degree in a management field other than education.
(ii) Been employed for a period of at least 5
years in a management level position in a field
other than education.
(iii) Successfully completed the first phase
of an alternative route to superintendent
endorsement program, as provided in Section 21B-55
of this Code.
(iv) Passed a test of basic skills and content
area test tests required under Section 21B-30 of
this Code.
The endorsement is valid for 2 fiscal years in
order to complete one full year of serving as a
superintendent or assistant superintendent.
(D) (Blank).
(E) Career and technical educator. A career and
technical educator endorsement on an Educator License

with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has
a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework from a
regionally accredited institution of higher education
or an accredited trade and technical institution and
has a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience outside of
education in each area to be taught.
The career and technical educator endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
endorsement being issued and may be renewed. For
individuals who were issued the career and technical
educator endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations on or after January 1, 2015, the license
may be renewed if the individual passes a test of basic
skills or test of work proficiency, as required under
Section 21B-30 of this Code.
An individual who holds a valid career and
technical educator endorsement on an Educator License
with Stipulations but does not hold a bachelor's degree
may substitute teach in career and technical education
classrooms.
(F) Part-time provisional career and technical
educator or provisional career and technical educator.
A part-time provisional career and technical educator
endorsement or a provisional career and technical
educator endorsement on an Educator License with

Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who has a
minimum of 8,000 hours of work experience in the skill
for which the applicant is seeking the endorsement. It
is the responsibility of each employing school board
and regional office of education to provide
verification, in writing, to the State Superintendent
of Education at the time the application is submitted
that no qualified teacher holding a Professional
Educator License or an Educator License with
Stipulations with a career and technical educator
endorsement is available and that actual circumstances
require such issuance.
The provisional career and technical educator
endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
is valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
the endorsement being issued and may be renewed for 5
years. For individuals who were issued the provisional
career and technical educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations on or after January
1, 2015, the license may be renewed if the individual
passes a test of basic skills or test of work
proficiency, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
A part-time provisional career and technical
educator endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations may be issued for teaching no more than 2

courses of study for grades 6 through 12. The part-time
provisional career and technical educator endorsement
on an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
endorsement being issued and may be renewed for 5 years
if the individual makes application for renewal.
An individual who holds a provisional or part-time
provisional career and technical educator endorsement
on an Educator License with Stipulations but does not
hold a bachelor's degree may substitute teach in career
and technical education classrooms.
(G) Transitional bilingual educator. A
transitional bilingual educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations may be issued for
the purpose of providing instruction in accordance
with Article 14C of this Code to an applicant who
provides satisfactory evidence that he or she meets all
of the following requirements:
(i) Possesses adequate speaking, reading, and
writing ability in the language other than English
in which transitional bilingual education is
offered.
(ii) Has the ability to successfully
communicate in English.
(iii) Either possessed, within 5 years
previous to his or her applying for a transitional

bilingual educator endorsement, a valid and
comparable teaching certificate or comparable
authorization issued by a foreign country or holds
a degree from an institution of higher learning in
a foreign country that the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
regionally accredited institution of higher
learning in the United States.
A transitional bilingual educator endorsement
shall be valid for prekindergarten through grade 12, is
valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of
the endorsement being issued, and shall not be renewed.
Persons holding a transitional bilingual educator
endorsement shall not be employed to replace any
presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be
replaced for any reason.
(H) Language endorsement. In an effort to
alleviate the shortage of teachers speaking a language
other than English in the public schools, an individual
who holds an Educator License with Stipulations may
also apply for a language endorsement, provided that
the applicant provides satisfactory evidence that he
or she meets all of the following requirements:
(i) Holds a transitional bilingual
endorsement.

(ii) Has demonstrated proficiency in the
language for which the endorsement is to be issued
by passing the applicable language content test
required by the State Board of Education.
(iii) Holds a bachelor's degree or higher from
a regionally accredited institution of higher
education or, for individuals educated in a
country other than the United States, holds a
degree from an institution of higher learning in a
foreign country that the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board determines to be
the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a
regionally accredited institution of higher
learning in the United States.
(iv) (Blank). Has passed a test of basic
skills, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
A language endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations is valid for prekindergarten through
grade 12 for the same validity period as the
individual's transitional bilingual educator
endorsement on the Educator License with Stipulations
and shall not be renewed.
(I) Visiting international educator. A visiting
international educator endorsement on an Educator
License with Stipulations may be issued to an

individual who is being recruited by a particular
school district that conducts formal recruitment
programs outside of the United States to secure the
services of qualified teachers and who meets all of the
following requirements:
(i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a
bachelor's degree issued in the United States.
(ii) Has been prepared as a teacher at the
grade level for which he or she will be employed.
(iii) Has adequate content knowledge in the
subject to be taught.
(iv) Has an adequate command of the English
language.
A holder of a visiting international educator
endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations
shall be permitted to teach in bilingual education
programs in the language that was the medium of
instruction in his or her teacher preparation program,
provided that he or she passes the English Language
Proficiency Examination or another test of writing
skills in English identified by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board.
A visiting international educator endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 3
years and shall not be renewed.

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

applicable State tests, including an a test of basic
skills and applicable content area test.
The chief school business official endorsement may
also be affixed to the Educator License with
Stipulations of any holder who qualifies by having a
master's degree in business administration, finance,
accounting, or public administration and who completes
an additional 6 semester hours of internship in school
business management from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education and passes the
applicable State tests, including an a test of basic
skills and applicable content area test. This
endorsement shall be required for any individual
employed as a chief school business official.
The chief school business official endorsement on
an Educator License with Stipulations is valid until
June 30 immediately following 5 years of the
endorsement being issued and may be renewed if the
license holder completes renewal requirements as
required for individuals who hold a Professional
Educator License endorsed for chief school business
official under Section 21B-45 of this Code and such
rules as may be adopted by the State Board of
Education.
The State Board of Education shall adopt any rules
necessary to implement Public Act 100-288.

(L) Provisional in-state educator. A provisional
in-state educator endorsement on an Educator License
with Stipulations may be issued to a candidate who has
completed an Illinois-approved educator preparation
program at an Illinois institution of higher education
and who has not successfully completed an
evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness but
who meets all of the following requirements:
(i) Holds at least a bachelor's degree.
(ii) Has completed an approved educator
preparation program at an Illinois institution.
(iii) Has passed an a test of basic skills and
applicable content area test, as required by
Section 21B-30 of this Code.
(iv) Has attempted an evidence-based
assessment of teacher effectiveness and received a
minimum score on that assessment, as established
by the State Board of Education in consultation
with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure
Board.
A provisional in-state educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations is valid for one
full fiscal year after the date of issuance and may not
be renewed.
(M) School support personnel intern. A school
support personnel intern endorsement on an Educator

License with Stipulations may be issued as specified by
rule.
(N) Special education area. A special education
area endorsement on an Educator License with
Stipulations may be issued as defined and specified by
rule.
(3) Substitute Teaching License. A Substitute Teaching
License may be issued to qualified applicants for
substitute teaching in all grades of the public schools,
prekindergarten through grade 12. Substitute Teaching
Licenses are not eligible for endorsements. Applicants for
a Substitute Teaching License must hold a bachelor's degree
or higher from a regionally accredited institution of
higher education.
Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for 5 years.
Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for substitute
teaching in every county of this State. If an individual
has had his or her Professional Educator License or
Educator License with Stipulations suspended or revoked,
then that individual is not eligible to obtain a Substitute
Teaching License.
A substitute teacher may only teach in the place of a
licensed teacher who is under contract with the employing
board. If, however, there is no licensed teacher under
contract because of an emergency situation, then a district
may employ a substitute teacher for no longer than 30

calendar days per each vacant position in the district if
the district notifies the appropriate regional office of
education within 5 business days after the employment of
the substitute teacher in the emergency situation. An
emergency situation is one in which an unforeseen vacancy
has occurred and (i) a teacher is unable to fulfill his or
her contractual duties or (ii) teacher capacity needs of
the district exceed previous indications, and the district
is actively engaged in advertising to hire a fully licensed
teacher for the vacant position.
There is no limit on the number of days that a
substitute teacher may teach in a single school district,
provided that no substitute teacher may teach for longer
than 90 school days for any one licensed teacher under
contract in the same school year. A substitute teacher who
holds a Professional Educator License or Educator License
with Stipulations shall not teach for more than 120 school
days for any one licensed teacher under contract in the
same school year. The limitations in this paragraph (3) on
the number of days a substitute teacher may be employed do
not apply to any school district operating under Article 34
of this Code.
A school district may not require an individual who
holds a valid Professional Educator License or Educator
License with Stipulations to seek or hold a Substitute
Teaching License to teach as a substitute teacher.

(4) Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Beginning
on July 1, 2018 and until June 30, 2023, the State Board of
Education may issue a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
License. A Short-Term Substitute Teaching License may be
issued to a qualified applicant for substitute teaching in
all grades of the public schools, prekindergarten through
grade 12. Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are not
eligible for endorsements. Applicants for a Short-Term
Substitute Teaching License must hold an associate's
degree or have completed at least 60 credit hours from a
regionally accredited institution of higher education.
Short-Term Substitute Teaching Licenses are valid for
substitute teaching in every county of this State. If an
individual has had his or her Professional Educator License
or Educator License with Stipulations suspended or
revoked, then that individual is not eligible to obtain a
Short-Term Substitute Teaching License.
The provisions of Sections 10-21.9 and 34-18.5 of this
Code apply to short-term substitute teachers.
An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
License may teach no more than 5 consecutive days per
licensed teacher who is under contract. For teacher
absences lasting 6 or more days per licensed teacher who is
under contract, a school district may not hire an
individual holding a Short-Term Substitute Teaching
License. An individual holding a Short-Term Substitute

Teaching License must complete the training program under
Section 10-20.67 or 34-18.60 of this Code to be eligible to
teach at a public school. This paragraph (4) is inoperative
on and after July 1, 2023.
(Source: P.A. 99-35, eff. 1-1-16; 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-143,
eff. 7-27-15; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-8,
eff. 7-1-17; 100-13, eff. 7-1-17; 100-288, eff. 8-24-17;
100-596, eff. 7-1-18; 100-821, eff. 9-3-18; 100-863, eff.
8-14-18; revised 10-1-18.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-25)
Sec. 21B-25. Endorsement on licenses. All licenses issued
under paragraph (1) of Section 21B-20 of this Code shall be
specifically endorsed by the State Board of Education for each
content area, school support area, and administrative area for
which the holder of the license is qualified. Recognized
institutions approved to offer educator preparation programs
shall be trained to add endorsements to licenses issued to
applicants who meet all of the requirements for the endorsement
or endorsements, including passing any required tests. The
State Superintendent of Education shall randomly audit
institutions to ensure that all rules and standards are being
followed for entitlement or when endorsements are being
recommended.
(1) The State Board of Education, in consultation with
the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall

establish, by rule, the grade level and subject area
endorsements to be added to the Professional Educator
License. These rules shall outline the requirements for
obtaining each endorsement.
(2) In addition to any and all grade level and content
area endorsements developed by rule, the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board, shall develop the
requirements for the following endorsements:
(A) (Blank).
(B) Principal endorsement. A principal endorsement
shall be affixed to a Professional Educator License of
any holder who qualifies by having all of the
following:
(i) Successful completion of a principal
preparation program approved in accordance with
Section 21B-60 of this Code and any applicable
rules.
(ii) At least 4 total years of teaching or 4
total years of working in the capacity of school
support personnel in an Illinois public school or
nonpublic school recognized by the State Board of
Education, in a school under the supervision of the
Department of Corrections, or in an out-of-state
public school or out-of-state nonpublic school
meeting out-of-state recognition standards

comparable to those approved by the State
Superintendent of Education; however, the State
Board of Education, in consultation with the State
Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall
allow, by rules, for fewer than 4 years of
experience based on meeting standards set forth in
such rules, including without limitation a review
of performance evaluations or other evidence of
demonstrated qualifications.
(iii) A master's degree or higher from a
regionally accredited college or university.
(C) Chief school business official endorsement. A
chief school business official endorsement shall be
affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
holder who qualifies by having a master's degree or
higher, 2 years of full-time administrative experience
in school business management or 2 years of
university-approved practical experience, and a
minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate credit in a
program approved by the State Board of Education for
the preparation of school business administrators and
by passage of the applicable State tests. The chief
school business official endorsement may also be
affixed to the Professional Educator License of any
holder who qualifies by having a master's degree in
business administration, finance, accounting, or

public administration and who completes an additional
6 semester hours of internship in school business
management from a regionally accredited institution of
higher education and passes the applicable State
tests. This endorsement shall be required for any
individual employed as a chief school business
official.
(D) Superintendent endorsement. A superintendent
endorsement shall be affixed to the Professional
Educator License of any holder who has completed a
program approved by the State Board of Education for
the preparation of superintendents of schools, has had
at least 2 years of experience employed full-time in a
general administrative position or as a full-time
principal, director of special education, or chief
school business official in the public schools or in a
State-recognized nonpublic school in which the chief
administrator is required to have the licensure
necessary to be a principal in a public school in this
State and where a majority of the teachers are required
to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a
public school in this State, and has passed the
required State tests; or of any holder who has
completed a program that is not an Illinois-approved
educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education and that has

recognition standards comparable to those approved by
the State Superintendent of Education and holds the
general administrative, principal, or chief school
business official endorsement and who has had 2 years
of experience as a principal, director of special
education, or chief school business official while
holding a valid educator license or certificate
comparable in validity and educational and experience
requirements and has passed the appropriate State
tests, as provided in Section 21B-30 of this Code. The
superintendent endorsement shall allow individuals to
serve only as a superintendent or assistant
superintendent.
(E) Teacher leader endorsement. It shall be the
policy of this State to improve the quality of
instructional leaders by providing a career pathway
for teachers interested in serving in leadership
roles, but not as principals. The State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board, may issue a teacher
leader endorsement under this subdivision (E). Persons
who meet and successfully complete the requirements of
the endorsement shall be issued a teacher leader
endorsement on the Professional Educator License for
serving in schools in this State. Teacher leaders may
qualify to serve in such positions as department

chairs, coaches, mentors, curriculum and instruction
leaders, or other leadership positions as defined by
the district. The endorsement shall be available to
those teachers who (i) hold a Professional Educator
License, (ii) hold a master's degree or higher from a
regionally accredited institution, (iii) have
completed a program of study that has been approved by
the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and
(iv) have successfully demonstrated competencies as
defined by rule.
A teacher who meets the requirements set forth in
this Section and holds a teacher leader endorsement may
evaluate teachers pursuant to Section 24A-5 of this
Code, provided that the individual has completed the
evaluation component required by Section 24A-3 of this
Code and a teacher leader is allowed to evaluate
personnel under the respective school district's
collective bargaining agreement.
The State Board of Education, in consultation with
the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board,
may adopt such rules as may be necessary to establish
and implement the teacher leader endorsement program
and to specify the positions for which this endorsement
shall be required.
(F) Special education endorsement. A special

education endorsement in one or more areas shall be
affixed to a Professional Educator License for any
individual that meets those requirements established
by the State Board of Education in rules. Special
education endorsement areas shall include without
limitation the following:
(i) Learning Behavior Specialist I;
(ii) Learning Behavior Specialist II;
(iii) Speech Language Pathologist;
(iv) Blind or Visually Impaired;
(v) Deaf-Hard of Hearing;
(vi) Early Childhood Special Education; and
(vii) Director of Special Education.
Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the contrary,
the State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may
add additional areas of special education by rule.
(G) School support personnel endorsement. School
support personnel endorsement areas shall include, but
are not limited to, school counselor, marriage and
family therapist, school psychologist, school speech
and language pathologist, school nurse, and school
social worker. This endorsement is for individuals who
are not teachers or administrators, but still require
licensure to work in an instructional support position
in a public or State-operated elementary school,

secondary school, or cooperative or joint agreement
with a governing body or board of control or a charter
school operating in compliance with the Charter
Schools Law. The school support personnel endorsement
shall be affixed to the Professional Educator License
and shall meet all of the requirements established in
any rules adopted to implement this subdivision (G).
The holder of such an endorsement is entitled to all of
the rights and privileges granted holders of any other
Professional Educator License, including teacher
benefits, compensation, and working conditions.
(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-623, eff. 7-22-16;
99-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-13, eff. 7-1-17; 100-267, eff.
8-22-17; 100-288, eff. 8-24-17; 100-596, eff. 7-1-18; 100-780,
eff. 1-1-19; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18; revised 10-1-18.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-30)
Sec. 21B-30. Educator testing.
(a) This Section applies beginning on July 1, 2012.
(b) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall design
and implement a system of examinations, which shall be required
prior to the issuance of educator licenses. These examinations
and indicators must be based on national and State professional
teaching standards, as determined by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation

and Licensure Board. The State Board of Education may adopt
such rules as may be necessary to implement and administer this
Section.
(c) (Blank). Except as otherwise provided in this Article,
applicants seeking a Professional Educator License or an
Educator License with Stipulations shall be required to pass a
test of basic skills before the license is issued, unless the
endorsement the individual is seeking does not require passage
of the test. All applicants completing Illinois-approved,
teacher education or school service personnel preparation
programs shall be required to pass the State Board of
Education's recognized test of basic skills prior to starting
their student teaching or starting the final semester of their
internship. An institution of higher learning, as defined in
the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, may not require an
applicant to complete the State Board's recognized test of
basic skills prior to the semester before student teaching or
prior to the semester before starting the final semester of an
internship. An individual who passes a test of basic skills
does not need to do so again for subsequent endorsements or
other educator licenses.
(d) All applicants seeking a State license shall be
required to pass a test of content area knowledge for each area
of endorsement for which there is an applicable test. There
shall be no exception to this requirement. No candidate shall
be allowed to student teach or serve as the teacher of record

until he or she has passed the applicable content area test.
(e) (Blank).
(f) Except as otherwise provided in this Article, beginning
on September 1, 2015, all candidates completing teacher
preparation programs in this State and all candidates subject
to Section 21B-35 of this Code are required to pass a teacher
performance assessment approved by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
and Licensure Board. Subject to appropriation, an individual
who holds a Professional Educator License and is employed for a
minimum of one school year by a school district designated as
Tier 1 under Section 18-8.15 may, after application to the
State Board, receive from the State Board a refund for any
costs associated with completing the teacher performance
assessment under this subsection.
(g) The Tests of basic skills and content area knowledge
test and the teacher performance assessment shall be the tests
that from time to time are designated by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
and Licensure Board, and may be tests prepared by an
educational testing organization or tests designed by the State
Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator
Preparation and Licensure Board. The areas to be covered by a
test of basic skills shall include reading, language arts, and
mathematics. The test of content area knowledge shall assess
content knowledge in a specific subject field. The tests must

be designed to be racially neutral to ensure that no person
taking the tests is discriminated against on the basis of race,
color, national origin, or other factors unrelated to the
person's ability to perform as a licensed employee. The score
required to pass the tests shall be fixed by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
and Licensure Board. The tests shall be administered not fewer
than 3 times a year at such time and place as may be designated
by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State
Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
The State Board shall implement a test or tests to assess
the speaking, reading, writing, and grammar skills of
applicants for an endorsement or a license issued under
subdivision (G) of paragraph (2) of Section 21B-20 of this Code
in the English language and in the language of the transitional
bilingual education program requested by the applicant.
(h) Except as provided in Section 34-6 of this Code, the
provisions of this Section shall apply equally in any school
district subject to Article 34 of this Code.
(i) The rules developed to implement and enforce the
testing requirements under this Section shall include without
limitation provisions governing test selection, test
validation and determination of a passing score,
administration of the tests, frequency of administration,
applicant fees, frequency of applicants taking the tests, the
years for which a score is valid, and appropriate special

accommodations. The State Board of Education shall develop such
rules as may be needed to ensure uniformity from year to year
in the level of difficulty for each form of an assessment.
(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-657, eff. 7-28-16;
99-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-596, eff. 7-1-18; 100-863, eff.
8-14-18; 100-932, eff. 8-17-18; revised 10-1-18.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-35)
Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in
other states or countries.
(a) Any applicant who has not been entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education applying for a Professional
Educator License endorsed in a teaching field or school support
personnel area must meet the following requirements:
(1) the applicant must:
(A) hold a comparable and valid educator license or
certificate, as defined by rule, with similar grade
level and content area credentials from another state,
with the State Board of Education having the authority
to determine what constitutes similar grade level and
content area credentials from another state; and
(B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally
accredited institution of higher education; or
(2) the applicant must:
(A) have completed a state-approved program for

the licensure area sought, including coursework
concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
child, methods of reading and reading in the content
area, and instructional strategies for English
learners;
(B) have a bachelor's degree from a regionally
accredited institution of higher education;
(C) have successfully met all Illinois examination
requirements, except that:
(i) (blank); an applicant who has successfully
completed a test of basic skills, as defined by
rules, at the time of initial licensure in another
state is not required to complete a test of basic
skills;
(ii) an applicant who has successfully
completed a test of content, as defined by rules,
at the time of initial licensure in another state
is not required to complete a test of content; and
(iii) an applicant for a teaching endorsement
who has successfully completed an evidence-based
assessment of teacher effectiveness, as defined by
rules, at the time of initial licensure in another
state is not required to complete an
evidence-based assessment of teacher
effectiveness; and
(D) for an applicant for a teaching endorsement,

have completed student teaching or an equivalent
experience or, for an applicant for a school service
personnel endorsement, have completed an internship or
an equivalent experience.
(b) In order to receive a Professional Educator License
endorsed in a teaching field or school support personnel area,
applicants trained in another country must meet all of the
following requirements:
(1) Have completed a comparable education program in
another country.
(2) Have had transcripts evaluated by an evaluation
service approved by the State Superintendent of Education.
(3) Have a degree comparable to a degree from a
regionally accredited institution of higher education.
(4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
and instructional strategies for English learners.
(5) (Blank).
(6) (Blank).
(7) Have successfully met all State licensure
examination requirements. Applicants who have successfully
completed a test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at
the time of initial licensure in another country shall not
be required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants
who have successfully completed a test of content, as

defined by rules, at the time of initial licensure in
another country shall not be required to complete a test of
content. Applicants for a teaching endorsement who have
successfully completed an evidence-based assessment of
teacher effectiveness, as defined by rules, at the time of
initial licensure in another country shall not be required
to complete an evidence-based assessment of teacher
effectiveness.
(8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent
experience.
(b-5) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education and applicants trained in
another country applying for a Professional Educator License
endorsed for principal or superintendent must hold a master's
degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher
education and must hold a comparable and valid educator license
or certificate with similar grade level and subject matter
credentials, with the State Board of Education having the
authority to determine what constitutes similar grade level and
subject matter credentials from another state, or must meet all
of the following requirements:
(1) Have completed an educator preparation program
approved by another state or comparable educator program in
another country leading to the receipt of a license or
certificate for the Illinois endorsement sought.

(2) Have successfully met all State licensure
examination requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of
this Code. Applicants who have successfully completed a
test of basic skills, as defined by rules, at the time of
initial licensure in another state or country shall not be
required to complete a test of basic skills. Applicants who
have successfully completed a test of content, as defined
by rules, at the time of initial licensure in another state
or country shall not be required to complete a test of
content.
(2.5) Have completed an internship, as defined by rule.
(3) (Blank).
(4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
and instructional strategies for English learners.
(5) Have completed a master's degree.
(6) Have successfully completed teaching, school
support, or administrative experience as defined by rule.
(b-7) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education applying for a Professional
Educator License endorsed for Director of Special Education
must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and
valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level

and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of
Education having the authority to determine what constitutes
similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another
state, or must meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Have completed a master's degree.
(2) Have 2 years of full-time experience providing
special education services.
(3) Have successfully completed all examination
requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
Applicants who have successfully completed a test of
content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial
licensure in another state or country shall not be required
to complete a test of content.
(4) Have completed coursework aligned to standards
concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
and instructional strategies for English learners.
(b-10) All applicants who have not been entitled by an
Illinois-approved educator preparation program at an Illinois
institution of higher education applying for a Professional
Educator License endorsed for chief school business official
must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education and must hold a comparable and
valid educator license or certificate with similar grade level
and subject matter credentials, with the State Board of
Education having the authority to determine what constitutes

similar grade level and subject matter credentials from another
state, or must meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Have completed a master's degree in school business
management, finance, or accounting.
(2) Have successfully completed an internship in
school business management or have 2 years of experience as
a school business administrator.
(3) Have successfully met all State examination
requirements, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.
Applicants who have successfully completed a test of
content, as identified by rules, at the time of initial
licensure in another state or country shall not be required
to complete a test of content.
(4) Have completed modules aligned to standards
concerning methods of instruction of the exceptional
child, methods of reading and reading in the content area,
and instructional strategies for English learners.
(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
rules as may be necessary to implement this Section.
(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 99-920, eff. 1-6-17; 100-13,
eff. 7-1-17; 100-584, eff. 4-6-18; 100-596, eff. 7-1-18.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-50)
Sec. 21B-50. Alternative educator licensure program.
(a) There is established an alternative educator licensure

program, to be known as the Alternative Educator Licensure
Program for Teachers.
(b) The Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
Teachers may be offered by a recognized institution approved to
offer educator preparation programs by the State Board of
Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation
and Licensure Board.
The program shall be comprised of 4 phases:
(1) A course of study that at a minimum includes
instructional planning; instructional strategies,
including special education, reading, and English language
learning; classroom management; and the assessment of
students and use of data to drive instruction.
(2) A year of residency, which is a candidate's
assignment to a full-time teaching position or as a
co-teacher for one full school year. An individual must
hold an Educator License with Stipulations with an
alternative provisional educator endorsement in order to
enter the residency and must complete additional program
requirements that address required State and national
standards, pass the assessment of professional teaching
before entering the second residency year, as required
under phase (3) of this subsection (b), and be recommended
by the principal or qualified equivalent of a principal, as
required under subsection (d) of this Section, and the
program coordinator to continue with the second year of the

residency.
(3) A second year of residency, which shall include the
candidate's assignment to a full-time teaching position
for one school year. The candidate must be assigned an
experienced teacher to act as a mentor and coach the
candidate through the second year of residency.
(4) A comprehensive assessment of the candidate's
teaching effectiveness, as evaluated by the principal or
qualified equivalent of a principal, as required under
subsection (d) of this Section, and the program
coordinator, at the end of the second year of residency. If
there is disagreement between the 2 evaluators about the
candidate's teaching effectiveness, the candidate may
complete one additional year of residency teaching under a
professional development plan developed by the principal
or qualified equivalent and the preparation program. At the
completion of the third year, a candidate must have
positive evaluations and a recommendation for full
licensure from both the principal or qualified equivalent
and the program coordinator or no Professional Educator
License shall be issued.
Successful completion of the program shall be deemed to
satisfy any other practice or student teaching and content
matter requirements established by law.
(c) An alternative provisional educator endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations is valid for 2 years of

teaching in the public schools, including without limitation a
preschool educational program under Section 2-3.71 of this Code
or charter school, or in a State-recognized nonpublic school in
which the chief administrator is required to have the licensure
necessary to be a principal in a public school in this State
and in which a majority of the teachers are required to have
the licensure necessary to be instructors in a public school in
this State, but may be renewed for a third year if needed to
complete the Alternative Educator Licensure Program for
Teachers. The endorsement shall be issued only once to an
individual who meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Has graduated from a regionally accredited college
or university with a bachelor's degree or higher.
(2) Has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or
greater on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent on another scale.
(3) Has completed a major in the content area if
seeking a middle or secondary level endorsement or, if
seeking an early childhood, elementary, or special
education endorsement, has completed a major in the content
area of reading, English/language arts, mathematics, or
one of the sciences. If the individual does not have a
major in a content area for any level of teaching, he or
she must submit transcripts to the State Board of Education
to be reviewed for equivalency.
(4) Has successfully completed phase (1) of subsection
(b) of this Section.

(5) Has passed a test of basic skills and content area
test required for the specific endorsement for admission
into the program, as required under Section 21B-30 of this
Code.
A candidate possessing the alternative provisional
educator endorsement may receive a salary, benefits, and any
other terms of employment offered to teachers in the school who
are members of an exclusive bargaining representative, if any,
but a school is not required to provide these benefits during
the years of residency if the candidate is serving only as a
co-teacher. If the candidate is serving as the teacher of
record, the candidate must receive a salary, benefits, and any
other terms of employment. Residency experiences must not be
counted towards tenure.
(d) The recognized institution offering the Alternative
Educator Licensure Program for Teachers must partner with a
school district, including without limitation a preschool
educational program under Section 2-3.71 of this Code or
charter school, or a State-recognized, nonpublic school in this
State in which the chief administrator is required to have the
licensure necessary to be a principal in a public school in
this State and in which a majority of the teachers are required
to have the licensure necessary to be instructors in a public
school in this State. A recognized institution that partners
with a public school district administering a preschool
educational program under Section 2-3.71 of this Code must

require a principal to recommend or evaluate candidates in the
program. A recognized institution that partners with an
eligible entity administering a preschool educational program
under Section 2-3.71 of this Code and that is not a public
school district must require a principal or qualified
equivalent of a principal to recommend or evaluate candidates
in the program. The program presented for approval by the State
Board of Education must demonstrate the supports that are to be
provided to assist the provisional teacher during the 2-year
residency period. These supports must provide additional
contact hours with mentors during the first year of residency.
(e) Upon completion of the 4 phases outlined in subsection
(b) of this Section and all assessments required under Section
21B-30 of this Code, an individual shall receive a Professional
Educator License.
(f) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
rules as may be necessary to establish and implement the
Alternative Educator Licensure Program for Teachers.
(Source: P.A. 99-58, eff. 7-16-15; 100-596, eff. 7-1-18;
100-822, eff. 1-1-19.)
(105 ILCS 5/21B-55)
Sec. 21B-55. Alternative route to superintendent
endorsement.
(a) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the

State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may approve
programs designed to provide an alternative route to
superintendent endorsement on a Professional Educator License.
(b) Entities offering an alternative route to
superintendent endorsement program must have the program
approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with
the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
(c) All programs approved under this Section shall be
comprised of the following 3 phases:
(1) A course of study offered on an intensive basis in
education management, governance, organization, and
instructional and district planning.
(2) The person's assignment to a full-time position for
one school year as a superintendent.
(3) A comprehensive assessment of the person's
performance by school officials and a recommendation to the
State Board of Education that the person be issued a
superintendent endorsement on a Professional Educator
License.
(d) In order to serve as a superintendent under phase (2)
of subsection (c) of this Section, an individual must be issued
an alternative provisional superintendent endorsement on an
Educator License with Stipulations, to be valid for only one
year of serving as a superintendent. In order to receive the
provisional alternative superintendent endorsement under this
Section, an individual must meet all of the following

requirements:
(1) Have graduated from a regionally accredited
college or university with a minimum of a master's degree
in a management field.
(2) Have been employed for a period of at least 5 years
in a management level position other than education.
(3) Have successfully completed phase (1) of
subsection (c) of this Section.
(4) Have passed a test of basic skills and a content
area test for admission into the program, as required by
Section 21B-30 of this Code.
(e) Successful completion of an alternative route to
superintendent endorsement program shall be deemed to satisfy
any other supervisory, administrative, or management
experience requirements established by law, and, once
completed, an individual shall be eligible for a superintendent
endorsement on a Professional Educator License.
(f) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such
rules as may be needed to establish and implement these
alternative route to superintendent endorsement programs.
(Source: P.A. 100-596, eff. 7-1-18.)
(105 ILCS 5/24-8.5 new)
Sec. 24-8.5. Student teacher; salary. Each school district
may provide a salary to a student teacher employed by the

district. A school district may fix the amount of salary to pay
a student teacher under this Section.
(105 ILCS 5/27A-10)
Sec. 27A-10. Employees.
(a) A person shall be deemed to be employed by a charter
school unless a collective bargaining agreement or the charter
school contract otherwise provides.
(b) In all school districts, including special charter
districts and districts located in cities having a population
exceeding 500,000, the local school board shall determine by
policy or by negotiated agreement, if one exists, the
employment status of any school district employees who are
employed by a charter school and who seek to return to
employment in the public schools of the district. Each local
school board shall grant, for a period of up to 5 years, a
leave of absence to those of its teachers who accept employment
with a charter school. At the end of the authorized leave of
absence, the teacher must return to the school district or
resign; provided, however, that if the teacher chooses to
return to the school district, the teacher must be assigned to
a position which requires the teacher's certification and legal
qualifications. The contractual continued service status and
retirement benefits of a teacher of the district who is granted
a leave of absence to accept employment with a charter school
shall not be affected by that leave of absence.

(c) Charter schools shall employ in instructional
positions, as defined in the charter, individuals who are
certificated under Article 21 of this Code or who possess the
following qualifications:
(i) graduated with a bachelor's degree from an
accredited institution of higher learning;
(ii) been employed for a period of at least 5 years in
an area requiring application of the individual's
education;
(iii) (blank); and passed the tests of basic skills and
subject matter knowledge required by Section 21-1a of the
School Code; and
(iv) demonstrate continuing evidence of professional
growth which shall include, but not be limited to,
successful teaching experience, attendance at professional
meetings, membership in professional organizations,
additional credits earned at institutions of higher
learning, travel specifically for educational purposes,
and reading of professional books and periodicals.
(c-5) Charter schools employing individuals without
certification in instructional positions shall provide such
mentoring, training, and staff development for those
individuals as the charter schools determine necessary for
satisfactory performance in the classroom.
At least 50% of the individuals employed in instructional
positions by a charter school that is operating in a city

having a population exceeding 500,000 and that is established
on or after April 16, 2003 shall hold teaching certificates
issued under Article 21 of this Code.
At least 75% of the individuals employed in instructional
positions by a charter school that is operating in a city
having a population exceeding 500,000 and that was established
before April 16, 2003 shall hold teaching certificates issued
under Article 21 of this Code.
(c-10) Notwithstanding any provision in subsection (c-5)
to the contrary, in any charter school established before the
effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General
Assembly, at least 75% of the individuals employed in
instructional positions by the charter school shall hold
teaching certificates issued under Article 21 of this Code
beginning with the 2012-2013 school year. In any charter school
established after the effective date of this amendatory Act of
the 96th General Assembly, at least 75% of the individuals
employed in instructional positions by a charter school shall
hold teaching certificates issued under Article 21 of this Code
by the beginning of the fourth school year during which a
student is enrolled in the charter school. Charter schools may
employ non-certificated staff in all other positions.
(c-15) Charter schools are exempt from any annual cap on
new participants in an alternative certification program. The
second and third phases of the alternative certification
program may be conducted and completed at the charter school,

and the alternative teaching certificate is valid for 4 years
or the length of the charter (or any extension of the charter),
whichever is longer.
(d) A teacher at a charter school may resign his or her
position only if the teacher gives notice of resignation to the
charter school's governing body at least 60 days before the end
of the school term, and the resignation must take effect
immediately upon the end of the school term.
(Source: P.A. 96-105, eff. 7-30-09.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.