1. Middle Grade Licensure
Nov 14, 2018, 6:00 p.m.
Rm 2 Education

2. CoTE introduction
Oversee all things related to licensure
Here tonight to talk about process of actually getting licensed.
Obtain license as soon as you can!!!!-Regardless of other plans (grad school, Peace Corp, etc).
Not protected against ISBE changes
Other state certification will likely hinge on Illinois licensure first

3. Applying for license: Log onto your student portal
Can apply even IF you haven’t yet passed all tests
Log onto your student portal
Scroll down to “Prior to Licensure” and then under “Licensure Application” click on the “here” in “Click here to apply”
App will ask if your are registered for or previously done student teaching.
If you have to answer no, you should not proceed.
If you can answer yes, Click “yes” and then “submit”
Click on “Click here to add a request”

4. Email address-Use your most used, most reliable email account
address-Use your most used, most reliable account. Do not use your UIUC account (it goes away)
Cell phone number
Degree type
Degree period (if it doesn’t correlate with when your ACTUALLY finishing, put term you are finishing.
Major (should pull down/default to appropriate one). Select it.
License (also should default) Select it

5. Endorsements
Apply for the endorsement which correlates with your concentration
For those who have a second concentration, apply for that as well.
Click on “click here to add an endorsement” (if you haven’t filled in all the required fields prior to this, it won’t provide any pull down options/endorsements)

6. Must click on “submit” (If you don’t, the app won’t be recorded)
Comments
Allows you to convey information that application does not otherwise allow for.
Example: “I am taking a course at Parkland (GEOL 104) to complete a general education requirement“
Signature (must “sign” (check box))stating you understand your responsibilities)
Must click on “submit” (If you don’t, the app won’t be recorded)
Once you submit, you can’t go back. Don’t try to submit a second application. Contact us for changes/corrections.

7. The next day, you should receive an email which says the CoTE has received your application.
Your student portal should also reflect an application
After registration has “closed” I will begin completing audits based on DARS report or the graduate audit completed earlier.
You should receive an which outlines the endorsement(s) we expect to recommend you for.
If it is different than what you should be getting, contact me!

8. Things I’ll be looking for:
If everything looks good? I will put your application in pending file until end of spring or summer term (respectively) where I’ll review it again.
Things I’ll be looking for:
Mandated reporter acknowledgement
Early Field Experience hours (at least 80).
Student Teaching Time Report
Be accurate and fairly descriptive. This is only record we will have of your Student teaching (directions on student portal).
Safety Training acknowledgement

9. Departmental Recommendation Tests
Should come automatically from Jay Mann if you meet all your responsibilities
Tests
Content test(s) in Middle Grade (5-8) Language Arts, Math, Science and/or Social Science
EdTPA
Degree (must appear on transcripts!!!)
Spring graduates – late May to mid June 2019
Summer grads – Late summer 2019
If you need to be licensed immediately for a summer job or, for summer grads, in the fall, contact your records officer in the College of Education (Hannah Rogers) and ALSO me.

10. You must request your UIUC transcripts be sent to ISBE
records/transcripts/
Request that they be sent AFTER the current semester DEGREE’S have been recorded (for the term you are graduating)
Send them to the Educator Licensure Division at the Illinois State Board of Education.
You can request that they be sent by paper or electronically (we don’t care which)
The transcript office will send you a confirmation to your address that they’ve received your request
Forward this confirmation to me at
These aforementioned steps can be completed any time during the term you are graduating). Completing this early makes it easier for me to manage the workload.

11. Directions can be found here (also under “links” in our website): ranscripts.pdf

12. Claiming your license with ISBE
We will send an to the address you provided.
Will provide a link to the ISBE website with instructions
(Here is an ISBE tutorial worth checking out:
Log onto your account (make sure it is the correct one. Don’t create an “extra” one!) (creating multiple accounts is easier than it might seem)
Follow steps.
Be prepared to pay by credit card
ISBE requires that you answer a survey before you can claim your license.

13. After you claim your license, you will need to register your license with a district
If you forget, ISBE should send you an instructing you to register your PEL
Registration will be in the “action center” on your main ELIS page after you claim your license.
If you have a job lined up, use that district. Otherwise, use your permanent or parents address.
Be sure to register your license somewhere. If you do not, after 6 months it will become “lapsed.”
Lapsed licenses will require that you take additional coursework or pay ISBE $$$

14. Testing (more information) Be sure to send your scores to UIUC.
Be sure your SSN is accurate
Errors may delay licensure (Much wailing and gnashing of teeth)
Can check your tests on Student portal to ensure tests have been received
Keep test scores forever (or longer)
May need them for out for grad school
May need them for Out-of-State licensure.
(You can get your scores later but it will cost you time and money)

15. What you will have:
You are going to receive a “Professional Educator License” (PEL)
Endorsed in Middle Grades (5-8) Language Arts, Math, Science, or Social Science (or several of these)
SOME applications might use antiquated terminology (asking for “type” of certificate)
Since Middle Grade Licensure is a new construct, you’ll have to ask THEM what to put.
The closest thing would be the “old” type -03.

16. ISBE doesn’t mail paper copies of license
On your main page in ELIS you can print your credentials (OR)
Any school district or agency with your first and last name can do a “public search” in the ELIS/Educator Credentials site
License “validity” is 5 fiscal years
When you register your license, you will pay for 5 fiscal years (60 dollars)
Be sure to renew your license in 5 years or it will become “lapsed.”
Can renew your license on the same website (ELIS/Educator credentials) where you claimed it.

17. Licensure in other states
Likely will require Licensure in Illinois first
Other states may have program verification form.
Send form to CoTE to fill out.
if it is before you graduate, we’ll hold onto it until we can fill it out.
“United States Teacher Licensure Offices” under “Current candidates” and then “Links”
If you ask us how to get licensed in another state, we’ll likely refer you to this link for information on contacting the respective states.

18. Website: www.cote.illinois.edu Email (jbuck@illinois.edu
Contact information
Jeff Buck Location: S. Sixth Street, Rm 130 (Education building)
Website:
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