Illinois Administrative Code › Title 23 - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL RESOURCES › Part 25 - EDUCATOR LICENSURE › Subpart B - LICENSES › Section 25.60 - Alternative Educator Licensure Program for Teachers

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
This Section establishes requirements in addition to those
				  set forth in Section 21B-50 of the Code for an institution of higher education
				  or a not-for-profit entity recognized and approved to offer educator
				  preparation programs under Subpart C to provide an alternative approach to
				  obtaining a PEL.
a) General
				Requirements
Each alternative educator licensure program shall:
1) include a program of study that addresses
				the content enumerated in Section 21B-50(b)(1) of the Code. For purposes of
				this subsection (a)(1), instruction relative to special education, English
				learners, and reading shall meet the criteria set forth in Section
				25.25(a).
2) provide up to two years of residency
				pursuant to Section 21B-50(b)(2) of the Code during which the candidate is
				assigned to teach full time for at least one year as the teacher of record or a
				co-teacher.
A) During the first school year of
				the residency, the program shall assign a mentor teacher to each candidate.
i) The mentor shall:
* hold a PEL and be employed by the school district where the
				  candidate is serving the residency;
* have three years of full-time teaching experience in the 10
				  years immediately preceding assignment as a mentor; and
* have achieved a performance evaluation rating of proficient
				  or higher in the two most recent evaluations.
ii) In a preschool educational program that
				meets the criteria established in Section 2-3.71 of the Code, each candidate
				shall be assigned a mentor or qualified equivalent of a mentor.
B) During the second year of
				residency, if applicable, the program shall assign a teacher who meets the
				requirements of subsection (a)(2)(A) to serve as a coach for each candidate,
				providing consultation and support, as needed.
3) involve a partnership of the institution
				or not-for-profit entity offering the alternative educator program with a
				public school district or nonpublic school that meets the criteria set forth in
				Section 21B-50(d) of the Code or a preschool educational program that meets the
				criteria established in Section 2-3.71 of the Code. Candidates also may serve:
A) in the case of early childhood
				endorsements, in a position for which a PEL endorsed for early childhood is
				required pursuant to the rules of the State Board at 23 Ill. Adm. Code
				235;
B) in a facility operated by a
				provider approved by the State Superintendent to contract with school districts
				for the provision of special education services pursuant to Section 14-7.02 of
				the Code and 23 Ill. Adm. Code 401; or
C) in a charter school.
4) At the conclusion of the first or second
				year of residency, administer a comprehensive assessment to gauge the
				candidate's teaching effectiveness. The assessment shall be conducted by the
				principal or, in a preschool educational program that meets the criteria
				established in Section 2-3.71 of the Code, a principal or qualified equivalent
				of the school to which the candidate is assigned, and the coordinator of the
				alternative educator program appointed by the institution or not-for-profit
				entity.
If there is disagreement about the candidate's teaching
				effectiveness at the end of the first year of residency, a second year of
				residency shall be required. If there is disagreement between the two
				evaluators at the end of the second year of residency, a third year of
				residency shall be completed under a professional development plan developed by
				the principal and preparation program.
(See Section 21B-50(b)(4) and
				(d) of the Code.)