TITLE

Alternative Teacher Certification

HISTORY

Illinois School code 105 ILCS 5/21-5b Effective December 1999.

MOTIVATION

To provide alternative routes for certifying teachers in Illinois.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREAS COVERED

All.

WHO OPERATES

The program must be provided by a partnership that includes an approved teacher preparation institution, which offers baccalaureate and master's degree programs, and one or more not-for-profit organizations. The individual programs are limited to 260 participants per year.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

An applicant must meet the following criteria

Graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree. Employed for at least five years in an area requiring application of the participant's education. (Work experience is not required for programs serving the city of Chicago.)

Passed the Illinois Basic Skills Test.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The alternative teacher certification program must include the content and skills of the institution's approved preparation program and must be approved by the State Board of Education.

Phase I

Pass the Illinois Content-Area Test.

Successful completion of an intensive course of study in education theory, instructional methods, and practice teaching.

A one-year nonrenewable provisional alternative teaching certificate will be issued when the participant meets the requirements of Phase I.

Phase II

Full-time teaching position with one school year with the advice and assistance of a mentor teacher.

Phase III

A comprehensive assessment of the participant's teaching performance by school officials and program participants and recommendation for certification by the higher education institution.

A nonrenewable Initial Alternative Teaching Certificate, valid for four years, will be issued following completion of the three phases and successful completions of the State's Assessment of Professional Teaching. After completing four years of teaching, individuals may apply for the Standard Teaching Certificate.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

Determined by IHE.

LENGTH OF TIME

Varies (one to three years).

WHO EVALUATES

State Board of Education.