Article 21B. Educator Licensure, 105 ILCS 5. School Code., COMMON SCHOOLS, CHAPTER 105. SCHOOLS, EDUCATION, Illinois Compiled Statutes

Illinois Compiled Statutes (Last Updated: March 28, 2015)

EDUCATION

CHAPTER 105. SCHOOLS

COMMON SCHOOLS

105 ILCS 5. School Code.

Article 21B. Educator Licensure

(105 ILCS 5/Art. 21B heading) ARTICLE 21B. EDUCATOR LICENSURE

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-5)
    Sec. 21B-5. Licensure powers of the State Board of Education.
    (a) Recognizing that the education of our citizens is the single most important influence on the prosperity and success of this State and recognizing that new developments in education require a flexible approach to our educational system, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall have the power and authority to do all of the following:
        (1) Set standards for teaching, supervising, or

otherwise holding licensed employment in the public schools of this State and administer the licensure process as provided in this Article.

(2) Approve, evaluate, and sanction educator

preparation programs.

(3) Enter into agreements with other states relative

to reciprocal approval of educator preparation programs.

(4) Establish standards for the issuance of new types

of educator licenses.

(5) Establish a code of ethics for all educators.
(6) Maintain a system of licensure examination

aligned with standards determined by the State Board of Education.

(7) Take such other action relating to the

improvement of instruction in the public schools as is appropriate and consistent with applicable laws.

(b) Only the State Superintendent of Education, acting in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Article and rules, shall have the authority to issue or endorse any license required for teaching, supervising, or otherwise holding licensed  employment in the public schools; and no other State agency shall have any power or authority (i) to establish or prescribe any qualifications or other requirements applicable to the issuance or endorsement of any such license or (ii) to establish or prescribe any licensure or equivalent requirement that must be satisfied in order to teach, supervise, or hold licensed employment in the public schools.

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-10)
    Sec. 21B-10. State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
    (a) The State Teacher Certification Board, which had been established under Section 21-13 of the School Code prior to this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, shall be renamed the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. References in law to the State Teacher Certification Board shall mean the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall consist of the State Superintendent of Education or a representative appointed by him or her, who shall be ex-officio chairperson, 5 administrative or faculty members of public or private colleges or universities located in this State, 3 administrators and 10 classroom teachers employed in the public schools (5 of whom must be members of and nominated by a statewide professional teachers' organization and 5 of whom must be members of and nominated by a different statewide professional teachers' organization), and one regional superintendent of schools, all of whom shall be appointed by the State Board of Education; provided that at least one of the administrators and at least 3 of the classroom teachers so appointed must be employees of a school district that is subject to the provisions of Article 34 of this Code. A statewide professional teachers' organization and a different statewide professional teachers' organization shall submit to the State Board of Education for consideration at least 3 names of accomplished teachers for every one vacancy or expiring term in a classroom teacher position. The nominations submitted to the State Board of Education under this Section to fill a vacancy or an expiring term shall be advisory. Nomination for State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board members must be submitted to the State Board of Education within 30 days after the vacancy or vacancies occur. Nominations to fill an expiring term must be submitted to the State Board of Education at least 30 days before the expiration of that term. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, if a sufficient number of nominations are not received by the State Board of Education for a vacancy or expiring term within the 30-day period, then the State Board of Education may appoint any qualified person, in the same manner as the original appointment, to fill the vacancy or expiring term. The regular term of each member is 3 years, and an individual may be appointed for no more than 2 consecutive terms. The term of an appointed member of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall expire on June 30 of his or her final year.
    (b) The State Board of Education shall appoint a secretary of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.
    (c) The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall hold regular meetings at least quarterly and such other special meetings as may be necessary.
    (d) The necessary expenses of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board shall be provided through the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt such rules as may be necessary for the administration of this Article.
    (e) Individuals serving on the State Teacher Certification Board on June 30, 2011 under Section 21-13 of this Code shall continue to serve on the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board until the scheduled expiration of their respective terms.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-15)
    Sec. 21B-15. Qualifications of educators.
    (a) No one may be licensed to teach or supervise or be otherwise employed in the public schools of this State who is not of good character and at least 20 years of age.
    In determining good character under this Section, the State Superintendent of Education shall take into consideration the disciplinary actions of other states or national entities against certificates or licenses issued by those states and held by individuals from those states. In addition, any felony conviction of the applicant may be taken into consideration; however, no one may be licensed to teach or supervise in the public schools of this State who has been convicted of an offense set forth in Section 21B-80 of this Code. Unless the conviction is for an offense set forth in Section 21B-80 of this Code, an applicant must be permitted to submit character references or other written material before such a conviction or other information regarding the applicant's character may be used by the State Superintendent of Education as a basis for denying the application.
    (b) No person otherwise qualified shall be denied the right to be licensed or to receive training for the purpose of becoming an educator because of a physical disability, including, but not limited to, visual and hearing disabilities; nor shall any school district refuse to employ a teacher on such grounds, provided that the person is able to carry out the duties of the position for which he or she applies.
    (c) No person may be granted or continue to hold an educator license who has knowingly altered or misrepresented his or her qualifications, in this State or any other state, in order to acquire or renew the license. Any other license issued under this Article held by the person may be suspended or revoked by the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, depending upon the severity of the alteration or misrepresentation.
    (d) No one may teach or supervise in the public schools nor receive for teaching or supervising any part of any public school fund who does not hold an educator license granted by the State Superintendent of Education as provided in this Article. However, the provisions of this Article do not apply to a member of the armed forces who is employed as a teacher of subjects in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps of any school, nor to an individual teaching a dual credit course as provided for in the Dual Credit Quality Act.
    (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, the school board of a school district may grant to a teacher of the district a leave of absence with full pay for a period of not more than one year to permit the teacher to teach in a foreign state under the provisions of the Exchange Teacher Program established under Public Law 584, 79th Congress, and Public Law 402, 80th Congress, as amended. The school board granting the leave of absence may employ, with or without pay, a national of the foreign state wherein the teacher on the leave of absence is to teach if the national is qualified to teach in that foreign state and if that national is to teach in a grade level similar to the one that was taught in the foreign state. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, may adopt rules as may be necessary to implement this subsection (e).
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-20)
    Sec. 21B-20. Types of licenses. Before July 1, 2013, 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) a professional educator license with stipulations; or (iii) a 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 the learning disabled, (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.

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, unless otherwise specified by rule, and passage of the applicable content area test.

(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) Provisional educator. A provisional

educator endorsement in a specific content area or areas on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who holds an educator license with a minimum of 15 semester hours in content coursework from another state, U.S. territory, or foreign country and who, at the time of applying for an Illinois license, does not meet the minimum requirements under Section 21B-35 of this Code, but does, at a minimum, meet both of the following requirements:

(i) Holds the equivalent of a minimum of a

bachelor's degree, unless a master's degree is required for the endorsement, from a regionally accredited college or university or, for individuals educated in a country other than the United States, the equivalent of a minimum of a bachelor's degree issued in the United States, unless a master's degree is required for the endorsement.

(ii) Has passed a test of basic skills and

content area test, as required by Section 21B-30 of this Code.

However, a provisional educator endorsement for

principals may not be issued, nor may any person with a provisional educator endorsement serve as a principal in a public school in this State.  In addition, out-of-state applicants shall not receive a provisional educator endorsement if the person completed an alternative licensure program in another state, unless the program has been determined to be equivalent to Illinois program requirements.

Notwithstanding any other requirements of this

Section, a service member or spouse of a service member may obtain a Professional Educator License with Stipulations, and a provisional educator endorsement in a specific content area or areas, if he or she holds a valid teaching certificate or license in good standing from another state, meets the qualifications of educators outlined in Section 21B-15 of this Code, and has not engaged in any misconduct that would prohibit an individual from obtaining a license pursuant to Illinois law, including without limitation any administrative rules of the State Board of Education; however, the service member or spouse may not serve as a principal under the Professional Educator License with Stipulations or provisional educator endorsement.

In this Section, "service member" means any

person who, at the time of application under this Section, is 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.

A provisional educator endorsement is valid until

June 30 immediately following 2 years of the license being issued, during which time any remaining testing and coursework deficiencies must be met.  Failure to satisfy all stated deficiencies shall mean the individual, including any service member or spouse who has obtained a Professional Educator License with Stipulations and a provisional educator endorsement in a specific content area or areas, is ineligible to receive a Professional Educator License at that time.  A provisional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations shall not be renewed.

(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 tests required under Section 21B-30 of this Code.

The endorsement may be registered for 2 fiscal

years in order to complete one full year of serving as a superintendent or assistant superintendent.

(D) Resident teacher endorsement. A resident

teacher 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

institution of higher education with a minimum of a bachelor's degree.

(ii) Enrolled in an approved Illinois

educator preparation program.

(iii) Passed a test of basic skills and

content area test, as required under Section 21B-30 of this Code.

The resident teacher endorsement on an Educator

License with Stipulations is valid for 4 years of teaching and shall not be renewed.

A resident teacher may teach only under the

direction of a licensed teacher, who shall act as the resident mentor teacher, and may not teach in place of a licensed teacher. A resident teacher endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations shall no longer be valid after June 30, 2017.

(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 and has a minimum of 2,000 hours of experience in the last 10 years 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 if the individual passes a test of basic skills, as required under Section 21B-30 of this Code.

(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 only one time for 5 years if the individual passes a test of basic skills, as required under Section 21B-30 of this Code, and has completed a minimum of 20 semester hours from a regionally accredited institution.

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.

(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) 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.

(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

and may be renewed if the individual has passed a test of basic skills, as authorized under Section 21B-30 of this Code. An individual who has passed a test of basic skills for the first licensure renewal is not required to retake the test again for further renewals.

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 or has not met the renewal requirements for licensure, 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.

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 97-710, eff. 1-1-13; 98-28, eff. 7-1-13; 98-751, eff. 1-1-15.)

    (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) General administrative endorsement. A

general administrative endorsement shall be added to a Professional Educator License, provided that an approved program has been completed. An individual holding a general administrative endorsement may work only as a principal or assistant principal or in a related or similar position, as determined by the State Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.

Beginning on September 1, 2014, the general

administrative endorsement shall no longer be issued. Individuals who hold a valid and registered administrative certificate with a general administrative endorsement issued under Section 21-7.1 of this Code or a Professional Educator License with a general administrative endorsement issued prior to September  1, 2014 and who have served for at least one full year during the 5 years prior in a position requiring a general administrative endorsement shall, upon request to the State Board of Education and through July 1, 2015, have their respective general administrative endorsement converted to a principal endorsement on the Professional Educator License.  Candidates shall not be admitted to an approved general administrative preparation program after September 1, 2012.

All other individuals holding a valid and

registered administrative certificate with a general administrative endorsement issued pursuant to Section 21-7.1 of this Code or a general administrative endorsement on a Professional Educator License issued prior to September  1, 2014 shall have the general administrative endorsement converted to a principal endorsement on a Professional Educator License upon request to the State Board of Education and by completing one of the following pathways:

(i) Passage of the State principal assessment

developed by the State Board of Education.

(ii) Through July 1, 2019, completion of an

Illinois Educators' Academy course designated by the State Superintendent of Education.

(iii) Completion of a principal preparation

program established and approved pursuant to Section 21B-60 of this Code and applicable rules.

Individuals who do not choose to convert the

general administrative endorsement on the administrative certificate issued pursuant to Section 21-7.1 of this Code or on the Professional Educator License shall continue to be able to serve in any position previously allowed under paragraph (2) of subsection (e) of Section 21-7.1 of this Code.

The general administrative endorsement on the

Professional Educator License is available only to individuals who, prior to September 1, 2014, had such an endorsement on the administrative certificate issued pursuant to Section 21-7.1 of this Code or who already have a Professional Educator License and have completed a general administrative program and who do not choose to convert the general administrative endorsement to a principal endorsement pursuant to the options in this Section.

(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,

until June 30, 2019, working in the capacity of school support personnel in an Illinois public school or nonpublic school recognized by the State Board of Education 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, or accounting 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 from out-of-state that has a program with 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 taken coursework in all of the following areas:

(I) Leadership.
(II) Designing professional development to

meet teaching and learning needs.

(III) Building school culture that focuses

on student learning.

(IV) Using assessments to improve student

learning and foster school improvement.

(V) Building collaboration with teachers and

stakeholders.

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; and
                (vi) Early Childhood 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.

Beginning on January 1, 2014 and ending on April

30, 2014, a person holding a Professional Educator License with a school speech and language pathologist (teaching) endorsement may exchange his or her school speech and language pathologist (teaching) endorsement for a school speech and language pathologist (non-teaching) endorsement through application to the State Board of Education. There shall be no cost for this exchange.

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 98-413, eff. 8-16-13; 98-610, eff. 12-27-13; 98-872, eff. 8-11-14; 98-917, eff. 8-15-14; 98-1147, eff. 12-31-14.)

    (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. No score on a test required under this Section, other than a test of basic skills, shall be more than 5 years old at the time that an individual makes application for an educator license or endorsement.
    (c) 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, unless required earlier at the discretion of the recognized, Illinois institution in which they are completing their approved program. 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) All applicants seeking a State license endorsed in a teaching field shall pass the assessment of professional teaching (APT). Passage of the APT is required for completion of an approved Illinois educator preparation program.
    (f) Beginning on September 1, 2015, all candidates completing teacher preparation programs in this State are required to pass an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. All recognized institutions offering approved teacher preparation programs must begin phasing in the approved teacher performance assessment no later than July 1, 2013.
    (g) Tests of basic skills and content area knowledge and the assessment of professional teaching 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 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. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 98-361, eff. 1-1-14; 98-581, eff. 8-27-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-35)
    Sec. 21B-35. Minimum requirements for educators trained in other states or countries.
    (a) All out-of-state applicants applying for a Professional Educator License must meet all of the following requirements:
        (1) Have completed a comparable state-approved

education program, as defined by the State Superintendent of Education.

(2) Have a degree from a regionally accredited

institution of higher education and the degreed major or a constructed major must directly correspond to the license or endorsement sought.

(3) Except for school service personnel prepared by

out-of-state programs, have completed a minimum of one course in the methods of instruction of the exceptional child. School service personnel prepared by out-of-state programs shall meet the same requirements concerning courses in the methods of instruction of the exceptional child as in-State candidates in school service personnel areas, as defined by rules.

(4) Except for school service personnel prepared by

out-of-state programs, have completed a minimum of 6 semester hours of coursework in methods of reading and reading in the content area. School service personnel prepared by out-of-state programs shall meet the same requirements concerning coursework in methods of reading and reading in the content area as in-State candidates in school service personnel areas, as defined by rules.

(5) Except for school service personnel prepared by

out-of-state programs, have completed a minimum of one course in instructional strategies for English language learners. School service personnel prepared by out-of-state programs shall meet the same requirements concerning courses in instructional strategies for English language learners as in-State candidates in school service personnel areas, as defined by rules.

(6) Have successfully met all Illinois examination

requirements.

(7) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent

experience.

If one or more of the criteria in subsection (a) of this Section are not met, then out-of-state applicants who hold a valid, comparable certificate from another state and have passed a test of basic skills and content area test, as required by Section 21B-20 of this Code, may qualify for a provisional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, in accordance with Section 21B-20 of this Code, with the exception that an individual shall not serve as a principal or assistant principal  while holding the provisional educator endorsement.

(b)  In order to receive a Professional Educator License, 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) Hold a degreed major that must directly

correspond to the license or endorsement sought.

(4) Have completed a minimum of one course in the

methods of instruction of the exceptional child.

(5) Have completed a minimum of 6 semester hours of

coursework in methods of reading and reading in the content area.

(6) Have completed a minimum of one course in

instructional strategies for English language learners.

(7) Have successfully met all State licensure

examination requirements.

(8) Have completed student teaching or an equivalent

experience.

If one or more of these criteria are not met, then an applicant trained in another country who has passed a test of basic skills and content area test, as required by Section 21B-20 of this Code, may qualify for a provisional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, with the exception that an individual shall not serve as a principal or assistant principal while holding the provisional educator endorsement.

(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. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 98-581, eff. 8-27-13.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-40)
    Sec. 21B-40. Fees.
    (a) Beginning with the start of the new licensure system established pursuant to this Article, the following fees shall be charged to applicants:
        (1) A $75 application fee for a Professional

Educator License or an Educator License with Stipulations and for individuals seeking a Substitute Teaching License. However, beginning on January 1, 2015, the application fee for a Professional Educator License, Educator License with Stipulations, or Substitute Teaching License shall be $100.

(2) A $150 application fee for individuals who have

completed an approved educator preparation program outside of this State or who hold a valid, comparable credential from another state or country and are seeking any of the licenses set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection (a).

(3) A $50 application fee for each endorsement or

approval an individual holding a license wishes to add to that license.

(4) A $10 per year registration fee for the course

of the validity cycle to register the license, which shall be paid to the regional office of education having supervision and control over the school in which the individual holding the license is to be employed.  If the individual holding the license is not yet employed, then the license may be registered in any county in this State.  The registration fee must be paid in its entirety the first time the individual registers the license for a particular validity period in a single region. No additional fee may be charged for that validity period should the individual subsequently register the license in additional regions. An individual must register the license (i) immediately after initial issuance of the license and (ii) at the beginning of each renewal cycle if the individual has satisfied the renewal requirements required under this Code.

(b) All application fees paid pursuant to subdivisions (1) through (3) of subsection (a) of this Section shall be deposited into the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund and shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board of Education to provide the technology and human resources necessary for the timely and efficient processing of applications and for the renewal of licenses.  The Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund is not subject to administrative charge transfers, authorized under Section 8h of the State Finance Act, from the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund into any other fund of this State, and moneys in the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund shall not revert back to the General Revenue Fund at any time.

The regional superintendent of schools shall deposit the registration fees paid pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this Section into the institute fund established pursuant to Section 3-11 of this Code.

(c)  The State Board of Education and each regional office of education are authorized to charge a service or convenience fee for the use of credit cards for the payment of license fees. This service or convenience fee shall not exceed the amount required by the credit card processing company or vendor that has entered into a contract with the State Board or regional office of education for this purpose, and the fee must be paid to that company or vendor.

(d) If, at the time a certificate issued under Article 21 of this Code is exchanged for a license issued under this Article, a person has paid registration fees for any years of the validity period of the certificate and these years have not expired when the certificate is exchanged, then those fees must be applied to the registration of the new license.

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 98-610, eff. 12-27-13.)

    (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. Lapsed licenses may be immediately reinstated upon (i) payment by the applicant of a $500 penalty to the State Board of Education or, for individuals holding an Educator License with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator endorsement only, payment by the applicant of a $150 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 certificate 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. 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.
    (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, 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. Within 60 days after the conclusion of a professional development activity, 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 shall complete one Illinois Administrators' Academy course, as described in Article 2 of this Code, in each 5-year renewal cycle in which the administrative endorsement was held for at least one year. The Illinois Administrators' Academy course may count toward the total of 120 hours per 5-year cycle.

(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 retirement system shall notify the State Board of Education using ELIS, and the license shall be maintained in retired status. 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.

(7) For any renewal cycle in which professional

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. 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 extension is approved, the license shall remain valid during the extension period.

(10) Individuals who hold exempt licenses prior to

the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly shall commence the annual renewal process with the first scheduled registration due after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly.

(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 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.

(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 the

effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, 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 Language Learning to Illinois school districts, teachers, or administrators.

(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.

(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; and

(5) provide license holders with evidence of

completion of activities.

(j) The State Board of Education shall conduct annual audits 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 complete random audits of licensees.

(1) Approved providers shall annually submit to the

State Board of Education a list of subcontractors used for delivery of professional development activities for which renewal credit was issued and other information as defined by rule.

(2) Approved providers shall annually submit 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 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) Beginning July 1, 2014, 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 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 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 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. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 98-610, eff. 12-27-13; 98-1147, eff. 12-31-14.)

    (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) Beginning on January 1, 2013, 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. Any program offered by a not-for-profit entity also must be approved by the Board of Higher Education.
    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 and 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 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 and 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 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 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 Superintendent 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 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.  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. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 97-702, eff. 6-25-12.)

    (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 Superintendent of Education that the person be issued a superintendent endorsement on a Professional Educator License.

(d)  In order to be admitted to an alternative route to superintendent endorsement program, a candidate shall pass a test of basic skills, as required under Section 21B-30 of this Code. 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 other than education.

(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 examinations 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. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-60)
    Sec. 21B-60. Principal preparation programs.
    (a) It is the policy of this State that an essential element of improving student learning is supporting and employing highly effective school principals in leadership roles who improve teaching and learning and increase academic achievement and the development of all students.
    (b) No later than September 1, 2014, recognized institutions approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, to offer principal preparation programs must do all of the following:
        (1) Meet the standards and requirements for such

programs in accordance with this Section and any rules adopted by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.

(2) Prepare candidates to meet required standards for

principal skills, knowledge, and responsibilities, which shall include a focus on instruction and student learning and which must be used for principal professional development, mentoring, and evaluation.

(3) Include specific requirements for (i) the

selection and assessment of candidates, (ii) training in the evaluation of staff, (iii) an internship, and (iv) a partnership with one or more school districts or State-recognized, nonpublic schools 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.

Any principal preparation program offered in whole or in part by a not-for-profit entity must also be approved by the Board of Higher Education.

(c) Candidates successfully completing a principal preparation program established pursuant to this Section shall obtain a principal endorsement on a Professional Educator License and are eligible to work as a principal or an assistant principal or in related or similar positions, as determined by the State Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.

(d) 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 and administer principal preparation programs under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-65)
    Sec. 21B-65. National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Individuals holding certification issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards shall be issued a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards designation on an existing Professional Educator License. The designation shall be issued automatically and added to an individual's Professional Educator License, and individuals need not submit an application.
    The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards designation must be issued only for the same validity period as the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, and the designation must be removed from the Professional Educator License when the educator no longer holds the certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
    Beginning on July 1, 2013, individuals holding an Illinois National Board for Professional Teaching Standards endorsement issued pursuant to the requirements of Section 21-2 of this Code must have a current certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in order to maintain the Illinois National Board for Professional Teaching Standards endorsement.
    Any individual who, on or after July 1, 2012, has been issued a Master Certificate pursuant to Section 21-2 of this Code or a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards designation on a Professional Educator License pursuant to this Section may work as a teacher only in an area for which he or she holds the required Illinois endorsement. Any individual who, prior to June 30, 2012, has been issued an endorsement for a particular area on a Master Certificate may work as a teacher in that area even without having been issued the required Illinois endorsement.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-70)
    Sec. 21B-70. Illinois Teaching Excellence Program.
    (a) As used in this Section:
    "Poverty or low-performing school" means a school in academic early warning status or academic watch status or a school in which 50% or more of its students are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches.
    "Qualified educator" means a teacher or school counselor currently employed in a school district who is in the process of obtaining certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or who has completed certification and holds a current Professional Educator License with a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards designation or a retired teacher or school counselor who holds a Professional Educator License with a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards designation.
    (b) Beginning on July 1, 2011, any funds appropriated for the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program must be used to provide monetary assistance and incentives for qualified educators who are employed by school districts and who have or are in the process of obtaining licensure through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The goal of the program is to improve instruction and student performance.
    The State Board of Education shall allocate an amount as annually appropriated by the General Assembly for the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program for (i) application fees for each qualified educator seeking to complete certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, to be paid directly to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and (ii) incentives for each qualified educator to be distributed to the respective school district. The school district shall distribute this payment to each eligible teacher or school counselor as a single payment.
    The State Board of Education's annual budget must set out by separate line item the appropriation for the program. Unless otherwise provided by appropriation, qualified educators are eligible for monetary assistance and incentives outlined in subsection (c) of this Section.
    (c) When there are adequate funds available, monetary assistance and incentives shall include the following:
        (1) A maximum of $2,000 towards the application fee

for up to 750 teachers or school counselors in a poverty or low-performing school who apply on a first-come, first-serve basis for National Board certification.

(2) A maximum of $2,000 towards the application fee

for up to 250 teachers or school counselors in a school other than a poverty or low-performing school who apply on a first-come, first-serve basis for National Board certification. However, if there were fewer than 750 individuals supported in item (1) of this subsection (c), then the number supported in this item (2) may be increased as such that the combination of item (1) of this subsection (c) and this item (2) shall equal 1,000 applicants.

(3) A maximum of $1,000 towards the National Board

for Professional Teaching Standards' renewal application fee.

(4) (Blank).
(5) An annual incentive equal to $1,500, which shall

be paid to each qualified educator currently employed in a school district who holds both a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards designation and a current corresponding certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and who agrees, in writing, to provide at least 30 hours of mentoring or National Board for Professional Teaching Standards professional development or both during the school year to classroom teachers or school counselors, as applicable. Funds must be dispersed on a first-come, first-serve basis, with priority given to poverty or low-performing schools. Mentoring shall include, either singly or in combination, the following:

(A) National Board for Professional Teaching

Standards certification candidates.

(B) National Board for Professional Teaching

Standards re-take candidates.

(C) National Board for Professional Teaching

Standards renewal candidates.

(D) (Blank).

Funds may also be used for instructional leadership training for qualified educators interested in supporting implementation of the Illinois Learning Standards or teaching and learning priorities of the State Board of Education or both.

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; 98-646, eff. 7-1-14.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-75)
    Sec. 21B-75. Suspension or revocation of license.
    (a) As used in this Section, "teacher" means any school district employee regularly required to be licensed, as provided in this Article, in order to teach or supervise in the public schools.
    (b) The State Superintendent of Education has the exclusive authority, in accordance with this Section and any rules adopted by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, to initiate the suspension of up to 5 calendar years or revocation of any license issued pursuant to this Article for abuse or neglect of a child, immorality, a condition of health detrimental to the welfare of pupils, incompetency, unprofessional conduct (which includes the failure to disclose on an employment application any previous conviction for a sex offense, as defined in Section 21B-80 of this Code, or any other offense committed in any other state or against the laws of the United States that, if committed in this State, would be punishable as a sex offense, as defined in Section 21B-80 of this Code), the neglect of any professional duty, willful failure to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, failure to establish satisfactory repayment on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, or other just cause. Unprofessional conduct shall include the refusal to attend or participate in institutes, teachers' meetings, or professional readings or to meet other reasonable requirements of the regional superintendent of schools or State Superintendent of Education. Unprofessional conduct also includes conduct that violates the standards, ethics, or rules applicable to the security, administration, monitoring, or scoring of or the reporting of scores from any assessment test or examination administered under Section 2-3.64a-5 of this Code or that is known or intended to produce or report manipulated or artificial, rather than actual, assessment or achievement results or gains from the administration of those tests or examinations. Unprofessional conduct shall also include neglect or unnecessary delay in the making of statistical and other reports required by school officers. Incompetency shall include, without limitation, 2 or more school terms of service for which the license holder has received an unsatisfactory rating on a performance evaluation conducted pursuant to Article 24A of this Code within a period of 7 school terms of service. In determining whether to initiate action against one or more licenses based on incompetency and the recommended sanction for such action, the State Superintendent shall consider factors that include without limitation all of the following:
        (1) Whether the unsatisfactory evaluation ratings

occurred prior to June 13, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-8).

(2) Whether the unsatisfactory evaluation ratings

occurred prior to or after the implementation date, as defined in Section 24A-2.5 of this Code, of an evaluation system for teachers in a school district.

(3) Whether the evaluator or evaluators who performed

an unsatisfactory evaluation met the pre-licensure and training requirements set forth in Section 24A-3 of this Code.

(4) The time between the unsatisfactory evaluation

ratings.

(5) The quality of the remediation plans associated

with the unsatisfactory evaluation ratings and whether the license holder successfully completed the remediation plans.

(6) Whether the unsatisfactory evaluation ratings

were related to the same or different assignments performed by the license holder.

(7) Whether one or more of the unsatisfactory

evaluation ratings occurred in the first year of a teaching or administrative assignment.

When initiating an action against one or more licenses, the State Superintendent may seek required professional development as a sanction in lieu of or in addition to suspension or revocation.  Any such required professional development must be at the expense of the license holder, who may use, if available and applicable to the requirements established by administrative or court order, training, coursework, or other professional development funds in accordance with the terms of an applicable collective bargaining agreement entered into after June 13, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-8), unless that agreement specifically precludes use of funds for such purpose.

(c) The State Superintendent of Education shall, upon receipt of evidence of abuse or neglect of a child, immorality, a condition of health detrimental to the welfare of pupils, incompetency (subject to subsection (b) of this Section), unprofessional conduct, the neglect of any professional duty, or other just cause, further investigate and, if and as appropriate, serve written notice to the individual and afford the individual opportunity for a hearing prior to suspension, revocation, or other sanction; provided that the State Superintendent is under no obligation to initiate such an investigation if the Department of Children and Family Services is investigating the same or substantially similar allegations and its child protective service unit has not made its determination, as required under Section 7.12 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. If the State Superintendent of Education does not receive from an individual a request for a hearing within 10 days after the individual receives notice, the suspension, revocation, or other sanction shall immediately take effect in accordance with the notice. If a hearing is requested within 10 days after notice of an opportunity for hearing, it shall act as a stay of proceedings until the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board issues a decision. Any hearing shall take place in the educational service region where the educator is or was last employed and in accordance with rules adopted by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and such rules shall include without limitation provisions for discovery and the sharing of information between parties prior to the hearing. The standard of proof for any administrative hearing held pursuant to this Section shall be by the preponderance of the evidence. The decision of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board is a final administrative decision and is subject to judicial review by appeal of either party.

The State Board of Education may refuse to issue or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a return or to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied.

The exclusive authority of the State Superintendent of Education to initiate suspension or revocation of a license pursuant to this Section does not preclude a regional superintendent of schools from cooperating with the State Superintendent or a State's Attorney with respect to an investigation of alleged misconduct.

(d) The State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee may initiate and conduct such investigations as may be reasonably necessary to establish the existence of any alleged misconduct. At any stage of the investigation, the State Superintendent may issue a subpoena requiring the attendance and testimony of a witness, including the license holder, and the production of any evidence, including files, records, correspondence, or documents, relating to any matter in question in the investigation. The subpoena shall require a witness to appear at the State Board of Education at a specified date and time and shall specify any evidence to be produced. The license holder is not entitled to be present, but the State Superintendent shall provide the license holder with a copy of any recorded testimony prior to a hearing under this Section. Such recorded testimony must not be used as evidence at a hearing, unless the license holder has adequate notice of the testimony and the opportunity to cross-examine the witness. Failure of a license holder to comply with a duly issued, investigatory subpoena may be grounds for revocation, suspension, or denial of a license.

(e) All correspondence, documentation, and other information so received by the regional superintendent of schools, the State Superintendent of Education, the State Board of Education, or the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board under this Section is confidential and must not be disclosed to third parties, except (i) as necessary for the State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee to investigate and prosecute pursuant to this Article, (ii) pursuant to a court order, (iii) for disclosure to the license holder or his or her representative, or (iv) as otherwise required in this Article and provided that any such information admitted into evidence in a hearing is exempt from this confidentiality and non-disclosure requirement.

(f) The State Superintendent of Education or a person designated by him or her shall have the power to administer oaths to witnesses at any hearing conducted before the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board pursuant to this Section. The State Superintendent of Education or a person designated by him or her is authorized to subpoena and bring before the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board any person in this State and to take testimony either orally or by deposition or by exhibit, with the same fees and mileage and in the same manner as prescribed by law in judicial proceedings in civil cases in circuit courts of this State.

(g) Any circuit court, upon the application of the State Superintendent of Education or the license holder, may, by order duly entered, require the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers as part of any investigation or at any hearing the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board is authorized to conduct pursuant to this Section, and the court may compel obedience to its orders by proceedings for contempt.

(h) The State Board of Education shall receive an annual line item appropriation to cover fees associated with the investigation and prosecution of alleged educator misconduct and hearings related thereto.

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; incorporates 97-8, eff. 6-13-11; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12; 98-972, eff. 8-15-14.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-80)
    Sec. 21B-80. Conviction of certain offenses as grounds for revocation of license.
    (a) As used in this Section:
    "Narcotics offense" means any one or more of the following offenses:
        (1) Any offense defined in the Cannabis Control Act,

except those defined in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 4 and subdivision (a) of Section 5 of the Cannabis Control Act and any offense for which the holder of a license is placed on probation under the provisions of Section 10 of the Cannabis Control Act, provided that if the terms and conditions of probation required by the court are not fulfilled, the offense is not eligible for this exception.

(2) Any offense defined in the Illinois Controlled

Substances Act, except any offense for which the holder of a license is placed on probation under the provisions of Section 410 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, provided that if the terms and conditions of probation required by the court are not fulfilled, the offense is not eligible for this exception.

(3) Any offense defined in the Methamphetamine

Control and Community Protection Act, except any offense for which the holder of a license is placed on probation under the provision of Section 70 of that Act, provided that if the terms and conditions of probation required by the court are not fulfilled, the offense is not eligible for this exception.

(4) Any attempt to commit any of the offenses listed

in items (1) through (3) of this definition.

(5) Any offense committed or attempted in any other

state or against the laws of the United States that, if committed or attempted in this State, would have been punishable as one or more of the offenses listed in items (1) through (4) of this definition.

The changes made by Public Act 96-431 to the definition of "narcotics offense" are declaratory of existing law.
"Sex offense" means any one or more of the following offenses:
(A) Any offense defined in Sections 11-6, 11-9

through 11-9.5, inclusive,  and 11-30, of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; Sections 11-14 through 11-21, inclusive, of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; Sections 11-23 (if punished as a Class 3 felony), 11-24, 11-25, and 11-26 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; and Sections 11-1.20, 11-1.30, 11-1.40, 11-1.50, 11-1.60, 12-4.9, 12-13, 12-14, 12-14.1, 12-15, 12-16, 12-32, 12-33, and 12C-45 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012.

(B) Any attempt to commit any of the offenses listed

in item (A) of this definition.

(C) Any offense committed or attempted in any other

state that, if committed or attempted in this State, would have been punishable as one or more of the offenses listed in items (A) and (B) of this definition.

(b)  Whenever the holder of any license issued pursuant to this Article has been convicted of any sex offense or narcotics offense, the State Superintendent of Education shall forthwith suspend the license. If the conviction is reversed and the holder is acquitted of the offense in a new trial or the charges against him or her are dismissed, the State Superintendent of Education shall forthwith terminate the suspension of the license. When the conviction becomes final, the State Superintendent of Education shall forthwith revoke the license.

(c) Whenever the holder of a license issued pursuant to this Article has been convicted of attempting to commit, conspiring to commit, soliciting, or committing first degree murder or a Class X felony or any offense committed or attempted in any other state or against the laws of the United States that, if committed or attempted in this State, would have been punishable as one or more of the foregoing offenses, the State Superintendent of Education shall forthwith suspend the license. If the conviction is reversed and the holder is acquitted of that offense in a new trial or the charges that he or she committed that offense are dismissed, the State Superintendent of Education shall forthwith terminate the suspension of the license. When the conviction becomes final, the State Superintendent of Education shall forthwith revoke the license.

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; incorporates 96-1551, eff. 7-1-11; 97-1109, eff. 1-1-13; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-85)
    Sec. 21B-85. Conviction of felony.
    (a) Whenever the holder of any license issued under this Article is employed by the school board of a school district, including a special charter district or a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code, and is convicted, either after a bench trial, trial by jury, or plea of guilty, of any offense for which a sentence to death or a term of imprisonment in a penitentiary for one year or more is provided, the school board shall promptly notify the State Superintendent of Education, in writing, of the name of the license holder, the fact of the conviction, and the name and location of the court in which the conviction occurred.
    (b) Whenever the State Superintendent of Education receives notice of a conviction under subsection (a) of this Section or otherwise learns that any person who is a teacher, as that term is defined in Section 16-106 of the Illinois Pension Code, has been convicted, either after a bench trial, trial by jury, or plea of guilty, of any offense for which a sentence to death or a term of imprisonment in a penitentiary for one year or more is provided, the State Superintendent of Education shall promptly notify, in writing, the board of trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois and the board of trustees of the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of the City of Chicago of the name of the license holder, the fact of the conviction, the name and location of the court in which the conviction occurred, and the number assigned in that court to the case in which the conviction occurred.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-90)
    Sec. 21B-90. Administrative Review Law. In this Section, "administrative decision" has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
    The provisions of the Administrative Review Law and the rules adopted pursuant to the Administrative Review Law shall apply to and govern all proceedings instituted for the judicial review of final administrative decisions of the State Board of Education, the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and the regional superintendent of schools under this Article. The commencement of any action for review shall operate as a stay of enforcement, and no action based on any decision of the State Board of Education, the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, or the regional superintendent of schools shall be taken pending final disposition of the review.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

(105 ILCS 5/21B-95)
Sec. 21B-95. Denial of recommendation for licensure. Each college or university providing an educator preparation program approved and recognized pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall establish procedures and standards to ensure that no student is denied the opportunity to receive an institutional recommendation for licensure or entitlement for reasons that are not directly related to the candidate's anticipated performance as a licensed educator. These standards and procedures shall include the specific criteria used by the institution for admission, retention, and recommendation or entitlement for licensure; periodic evaluations of the candidate's progress towards an institutional recommendation; counseling and other supportive services to correct any deficiencies that are considered remedial; and provisions to ensure that no person is discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, or a disability unrelated to the person's ability to perform as a licensed educator. Each institution shall also establish a grievance procedure for those candidates who are denied the institutional recommendation or entitlement for licensure. Within 10 days after notification of such a denial, the college or university shall notify the candidate, in writing, of the reasons for the denial of recommendation for licensure. Within 30 days after notification of the denial, the candidate may request the college or university to review the denial.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-100)
    Sec. 21B-100. Licensure officers at higher education institutions. Licensure officers at higher education institutions shall adhere to this Code and any administrative rules adopted to implement this Code when entitling candidates for licensure or when adding endorsements. Violations of this Code or implementing rules regarding the entitlement of candidates by a licensure officer shall place the employing institution's educator preparation program in jeopardy, specifically regarding the institution's right to offer programs and recommend or entitle candidates for licensure.
    Licensure officers are required to attend training conducted by the State Superintendent of Education and review new legislation and administrative rules as such become available. The State Superintendent of Education shall communicate any policy changes to licensure officers when such changes occur.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

    (105 ILCS 5/21B-105)
    Sec. 21B-105. Granting of recognition; regional accreditation; definitions.
    (a) "Recognized", as used in this Article in connection with the word "school" or "institution", means such college, university, or not-for-profit entity that meets requirements set by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. Application for recognition of the school or institution as an educator preparation institution must be made to the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall set the criteria by which the school or institution is to be judged and, through the secretary of the State Board, arrange for an official inspection and shall grant recognition of such school or institution as may meet the required standards. If the standards include requirements with regard to education in acquiring skills in working with culturally distinctive students, as defined by the State Board of Education, then the rules of the State Board of Education shall include the criteria used to evaluate compliance with this requirement. No school or institution may make assignments of student teachers or teachers for practice teaching so as to promote segregation on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
    Any not-for-profit entity must also be approved by the Board of Higher Education.
    All recommendations or entitlements for educator licensure shall be made by a recognized institution operating a program of preparation for the license that is approved by the State Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, shall have the power to define a major or minor when used as a basis for recognition and licensure purposes.
    (b) "Regionally accredited", or "accredited", as used in this Article in connection with a university or institution, means an institution of higher education accredited by the North Central Association or other comparable regional accrediting association.
(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11.)

(105 ILCS 5/21B-200)
Sec. 21B-200. Highly qualified teachers; physical and health education. A teacher who teaches physical education or health education in the public schools may meet the requirements for highly qualified status that apply to teachers who teach in core academic subjects pursuant to the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
(Source: P.A. 98-860, eff. 1-1-15.)