IASPA Tenth Annual Conference Licensure Update Shirley Bloom North Cook ISC / ROE 5 January 26, 2017

Overview Recent Changes Upcoming Changes Where to Find Stuff – The Nut’s and Bolt’s FAQ’s and ROE/ISC Processes Miscellaneous Info Questions / Answers

Recent Changes NCLB replaced with ESSA – Most implementation 2017 No more Highly Qualified ELS PARA still required for Paraprofessionals in Title1 Anyone who holds any type of license and who holds a Bachelor’s Degree can be employed as a substitute teacher. Includes Paraprofessionals and Career and Technical Educators edTPA versus APT Illinois students need to take the edTPA during student teaching. (9/1/15) New Out-of-State applicants Option for either test edTPA can be waived with one year of teaching experience and acceptable performance evaluation (form 80-01)

5th Grade teachers do not need the Middle School Endorsement Paraprofessionals No longer need a copy of a HS diploma if they have 60 semester hours Need HS diploma/transcript if using WorkKeys or ETS ParaPro Most ACT WorkKeys Tests are $60 to $65 Triton College in River Grove offers ACT WorkKeys test free though a State Grant. 5th Grade teachers do not need the Middle School Endorsement Departmentalized or Self-Contained Middle School teachers teaching two subjects Must be fully qualified in major area of assignment Can teach a minor area with 6 semester hours of coursework

Upcoming Changes Middle Grade Endorsements effective February 1, 2018 Junior High or Middle School endorsed teachers will still be qualified!!! Senate Bill 2912 / Public Act 99-0920 (Effective 1/6/17) CTE’s and CTEP’s can take the ACT WorkKeys test (Basic Skills) Removes Requirement for Substitutes to take a test of Basic Skills for license renewal Waives content tests as well as basic skills test No expiration date for any test

Adds language that allows for out-of-state teachers or SSP’s to apply ONLY if they hold a valid and comparable out-of-state license. Changed Application fee to $50 for Substitute Teaching License Adds language clarifying that retired educators complete a pro-rated amount of PD if they retired in the midst of a renewal cycle Adds language through December 31, 2017 regarding a retired educator to reinstate a lapsed license.

Where to Find Stuff – Nuts and Bolts ISBE – www.isbe.net Educator Licensure Redesigned Web Page December, 2016 How-to Videos License and Endorsement Requirements Forms Webinars Directory of Illinois State Approved Educator Prep Programs FAQ’s

School Code – Licensure Section 21B Qualifications Fees Types of licenses How many days can a substitute work during a school year Endorsements Testing License Renewal Suspensions and Revocations

Illinois Administrative Rules Rules Currently in Effect Part 1 – Public School Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision Qualifications for Assignability Part 25 – Educator Licensure Qualifications for Endorsements Part 226 – Special Education Requirements for licensed and non-licensed educators Non licensed examples include license through IDFPR Part 228 – Transitional Bilingual Education Part 50 – Evaluation of Educator Licensed Employees (Article 24A)

Proposed Rules and Amendments Can be amended by ISBE internally as long as there is no conflict to State Statute (School Code) Must post proposed rules when new las is passed Example – SB2912 Passed 11/16/2016 Once signed by the Governor, it becomes law (PA 99-0920 - 1/6/17) Proposed rules to implement the law will be posted for public comment for 60 days. All comments reviewed and responded to at State Board Meeting Adopted by State Board JCAR review Rules implemented

FAQ’s and ROE / ISC Processes Transcripts ISBE can take up to a month to upload transcripts so it is much faster to send official transcripts to your ROE / ISC Transcripts do not need to be resent once they are on file Only official sealed transcripts or electronic transcripts sent directly from the university are acceptable Educators can confirm their transcripts have been uploaded by viewing their images section in ELIS

Information about my license Name or Gender Change Only ROEs, ISCs and ISBE can change a name or gender We need an official document such as a drivers license, SS card or marriage certificate, plus an IEIN Information about my license Educators can print their credentials page as proof of licensure and endorsements There are no License Numbers Once a License application has been evaluated, ISBE will not issue a refund Out-of-State educators can apply for multiple endorsements by sending additional requests to licensure@isbe.net Educators can access a deficiency letter in ELIS the day after the evaluation has been completed

License Renewal Check to make sure that the PD / Employment Status is correct Check to see how much PD is owed Varied depending on type of endorsement employed on Enter required PD for current renewal cycle No required timeline for entering PD Can renew anytime beginning April 1st No reductions in required PD for advanced degrees (2019) Beginning with renewals in 2017 – Can begin to accumulate PD for next renewal cycle once license is renewed Teachers or SSP’s holding an administrative endorsement but not working on it will need one administrative academy for renewal beginning in 2019 (first full 5 year renewal cycle after July 1, 2014) Semester hours counted as 1 SH equals 15 hours of PD Out-of-State coursework can only be used if school district approves it

Miscellaneous Info ISBE is currently taking up to 3 weeks on substitute and paraprofessional applications ISBE is currently taking about 1 1/2 months on PEL and endorsement applications School districts can request an expedited review on any application IF all documents are on file, including the application Encourage Educators to use a personal e-mail address when setting up their ELIS account ESL / Bilingual Approvals didn’t all transfer to Endorsements Reinstatement Coursework currently September 1, 2011

Questions and Answers