Licensure Updates

Questions:  Jenifer Roth

jroth@oprfhs.org  

niferr@hotmail.com

Updated Rules 
21B-20:  Types of Licenses:

  • Provisional endorsements can be issued without the need to have a minimum or 15 semester hours in content coursework.
  • CTE’s and CTEP need to pass a test of basic skills for renewal, but added language to allow for a test of work proficiency instead.
  • Added language to allow for a Provisional in-state endorsement for individuals who have completed all requirements in an Illinois approved educator prep program, has attempted the edTPA, but who has not successfully completed it.Valid for one full fiscal year
  • Added language for a short-term Substitute license with 60 hours of college coursework. Must pass a test of basic skills or test of work proficiency prior to license renewal.
  • Provides that someone with a short term substitute license may serve for a total of 90 days during a school year and no more than 5 school days within a period of 10 school days for one teacher under contract.
  • Added language for a long –term substitute license must hold a bachelor’s degree.Removed requirement to pass a test of basic skills prior to license renewal.
  • No limit to the number of days for a long term sub in a single district but limited to 90 days for a single teacher under contract.
    21B-25:  Endorsements
  • Teacher Leader endorsement – Added language that the individual has successfully demonstrated competencies as defined by rule, rather than listing the five competency areas.
    21B-30:  Educator Testing
  • Removed wording that no score on a test shall be more than 10 years old at the time of application.
  • Removed requirement for APT
    21B-35:  Minimum requirements for educators trained in other states or countries
  • Adds language that allows for out-of-state teachers or school support personnel to apply for an Illinois license if they hold a valid educator license in another state.
  • Removes the language that requires OOS teachers or school support personnel to have completed a comparable state-approved educator prep program.
  • Removes requirement for coursework in SpEd methods, ESL methods, reading methods and reading in the content area.
  • Removes requirement for content test if a content test was required at the time of initial licensure in another state.
  • Removes the requirement for applicants from out-of-state seeking principal or superintendent to have received a certificate or license endorsed in a teaching field.
    21B-40:  Fees
  • Changed application fee to $50 for substitute teaching license.
    21B-45:  Professional Educator License renewal
  • Adds language that requires retired educators to complete a prorated amount of PD if they retired in the midst of a renewal cycle.
  • Adds language that from the effective date of the act through December 31, 2017, retired licensees whose license has lapsed may reinstate the license and then maintain it in retired status upon providing proof to ISBE, using ELIS that they are retired and not working in a position that requires a PEL.
 Licensure

  • You now have a License it is the same as your Certificate but more compact.

  • If you have not already please Log into your ELIS account using the old IWAS Info.

  • Ensure all of your endorsements transferred over to the new system.  Realize endorsements were not added UNTIL 1986 and were not a requirement until 2004 so some of your license's may reflect this, CHECK! 

Registration

  • The act of paying the fees to the ROE or ISC to register the license for the renewal cycle.    

  • Registration fees not paid within six months of renewal or issuance lapse.  AUGUST 30 is Lapse Day!

  • Separate from reupping your license!!

  • Make sure registration and license expiration match or you owe money!

 Order PAPER transcript to be sent to you, THEN send to:

  • West 40 Intermediate Service Center

    4413 Roosevelt Rd, STE 104

    Hillside, IL  60162

    ATTN:  Sharon Balderas, Licensure
​​

If you decide to send Electronic Official Transcripts you may send to Sharon at sbalderas@west40.org 

​All Renewals for 2020 and Beyond...

  • No reductions in PD time
 
  • These are requirements if you are working 50% - Full Time and hold a position each year!
  • Licensees do not have to complete PD for the years in which the licenses are exempt (Leave of absence, substitute, working as a teachers aide, retired).

  • Working solely as a substitute teacher on a PEL does not require PD for renewal.

  • Licensees in “retired” status who return to work as substitute teachers are not required to complete PD or pay a fee for renewing.  You must login to officially renew every 5 years.
  • Licensees must renew (submit the list of PD in ELIS) licenses between April 1 and June 30 of the last year of the renewal cycle.
    • If you have PD after you have renewed that you completed between April 1 and June 30, it will carryover to your next cycle, BUT please do not enter it until after July 1.

  • Licenses will lapse on September 1 of the last year of the cycle if not renewed, but are valid for working in the public schools through August 31.

     
Requirements:

  • Speech Language Pathologist (Teaching) regardless of whether they hold an IDFPR license: 120 clock hours of PD.

  • Teaching fields and School Support Personnel who do not also hold an IDFPR or national license: 120 clock hours of PD.

  • Teacher Leaders:  100 Clock hours of PD plus one AA course each fiscal year in which the licensee is assigned to an administrative position for at least 50% of the school day.
    ​
  • Licensees holding administrative endorsements but NOT WORKING as administrators:  120 clock hours of PD No Administrator Academy Required!

  • Administrators:  100 clock hours of PD plus one AA course each fiscal year working in an administrative position. (130 Hours)

  • NBPTS Master Teachers:  60 clock hours of PD if holding a current NBPTS Master Teacher Designation.  This needs to be maintained through the National Board as well as through ELIS.

  • School Support Personnel: No PD renewal requirements if holding a current and active IDFPR license related to the endorsement area.  

Professional Development

Unlike the previous process which included dozens of activities with a set amount of credit, license renewal provides flexibility to educators to engage in activities that meet one or more of the criteria. 

  • Both educators and approved providers are responsible for using the flexibility wisely and appropriately. 

  • The sole purpose of professional development is to increase educators’ knowledge and skills specifically to impact student growth, achievement, and well-being.

  • Evidence of Completion needs to be held for 1 year passed renewal cycle and presented if audited.

  • 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.

  • For each activity planned one or more of the following purposes must be addressed: 

    • A.           Increase the knowledge and skills of school and district leaders who guide continuous professional development;

    • B.           Improve the learning of students;

    • C.           Organize adults into learning communities whose goals are aligned with those of the school and district;

    • D.           Deepen educator's content knowledge;

    • E.           Provide educators with research-based instructional strategies to assist students in meeting rigorous academic standards; Prepare educators to appropriately use various types of classroom assessments;

    • G.           Use learning strategies appropriate to the intended goals;

    • H.           Provide educators with the knowledge and skills to collaborate; or

    • I.            Prepare educators to apply research to decision-making.


APRIL 1 is HERE!! Thank you to my friend and colleague for allowing me to take snippets to assist all!  I have created a document to guide you step by step through the renewal wizard, and you can access that HERE.  The above picture is what you should see on your homepage IF you have entered your PD.  If you have not go to Professional Development and put in your finishing touches.  At the bottom of the PD page will be a link to renew your license or you can return to your homepage where the link will now be active and look like the above picture.

As a courtesy request, if you could just send me a quick email when you have completed the process just so I do not stress that you are going to expire that would be much appreciated!  Thank you for that! 
Remember June 30, 2019 is the last day to submit and if you fail to do that your license WILL EXPIRE on September 1, 2019 and then it is $500 or 3 college classes (3 credit hour courses) to continue your job for the 2019 - 2020 school year.