IL SB2199

State Board of Education must design and implement a system of examinations required prior to issuance of educator licenses, based on national and state professional teaching standards, effective July 1, 2012.

Applicants for Professional Educator License or Educator License with Stipulations must pass a test of basic skills covering reading, language arts, and mathematics, unless the endorsement does not require it.

All applicants seeking state licensure must pass a content area knowledge test for each endorsement area before student teaching or serving as teacher of record, with no exceptions allowed.

Candidates in approved teacher preparation programs must pass an assessment of professional teaching (APT) and, beginning September 1, 2015, must pass an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness approved by the State Board.

Out-of-state and internationally trained educators must meet comparable requirements including state-approved programs, accredited degrees, coursework in exceptional child instruction, reading methods, English language learner strategies, and successful passage of all Illinois examination requirements.