Bill Text: IL SB0187 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Amends the School Code with respect to administrative certificates. Allows for a chief school business official endorsement if, among other conditions, the certificate holder has 2 years of university-approved practical experience (as an alternative to requiring 2 years of administrative experience in school business management).

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2009-07-23 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0056 [SB0187 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-SB0187-Introduced.html

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96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2009 and 2010 SB0187 Introduced 2/3/2009, by Sen. Edward D. Maloney SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
105 ILCS 5/21-7.1 from Ch. 122, par. 21-7.1
Amends the School Code with respect to administrative certificates. Allows for a chief school business official endorsement if, among other conditions, the certificate holder has 2 years of university-approved practical experience (as an alternative to requiring 2 years of administrative experience in school business management).
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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section
21-7.1 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/21-7.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 21-7.1)
Sec. 21-7.1. Administrative certificate.
(a) After July 1, 1999, an administrative certificate valid
for 5 years of supervising and administering in the public
common schools (unless changed under subsection (a-5) of this
Section) may be issued to persons who have graduated from a
regionally accredited institution of higher learning with a
master's degree and who have been recommended by a recognized
institution of higher learning as having completed a program of
preparation for one or more of these endorsements. Such
programs of academic and professional preparation required for
endorsement shall be administered by the institution in
accordance with standards set forth by the State Superintendent
of Education in consultation with the State Teacher
Certification Board.
(a-5) Beginning July 1, 2003, if an administrative
certificate holder holds a Standard Teaching Certificate, the
validity period of the administrative certificate shall be

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changed, if necessary, so that the validity period of the
administrative certificate coincides with the validity period
of the Standard Teaching Certificate. Beginning July 1, 2003,
if an administrative certificate holder holds a Master Teaching
Certificate, the validity period of the administrative
certificate shall be changed so that the validity period of the
administrative certificate coincides with the validity period
of the Master Teaching Certificate.
(b) No administrative certificate shall be issued for the
first time after June 30, 1987 and no endorsement provided for
by this Section shall be made or affixed to an administrative
certificate for the first time after June 30, 1987 unless the
person to whom such administrative certificate is to be issued
or to whose administrative certificate such endorsement is to
be affixed has been required to demonstrate as a part of a
program of academic or professional preparation for such
certification or endorsement: (i) an understanding of the
knowledge called for in establishing productive parent-school
relationships and of the procedures fostering the involvement
which such relationships demand; and (ii) an understanding of
the knowledge required for establishing a high quality school
climate and promoting good classroom organization and
management, including rules of conduct and instructional
procedures appropriate to accomplishing the tasks of
schooling; and (iii) a demonstration of the knowledge and
skills called for in providing instructional leadership. The

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standards for demonstrating an understanding of such knowledge
shall be set forth by the State Board of Education in
consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, and
shall be administered by the recognized institutions of higher
learning as part of the programs of academic and professional
preparation required for certification and endorsement under
this Section. As used in this subsection: "establishing
productive parent-school relationships" means the ability to
maintain effective communication between parents and school
personnel, to encourage parental involvement in schooling, and
to motivate school personnel to engage parents in encouraging
student achievement, including the development of programs and
policies which serve to accomplish this purpose; and
"establishing a high quality school climate" means the ability
to promote academic achievement, to maintain discipline, to
recognize substance abuse problems among students and utilize
appropriate law enforcement and other community resources to
address these problems, to support teachers and students in
their education endeavors, to establish learning objectives
and to provide instructional leadership, including the
development of policies and programs which serve to accomplish
this purpose; and "providing instructional leadership" means
the ability to effectively evaluate school personnel, to
possess general communication and interpersonal skills, and to
establish and maintain appropriate classroom learning
environments. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply

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to or affect the initial issuance or making on or before June
30, 1987 of any administrative certificate or endorsement
provided for under this Section, nor shall such provisions
apply to or affect the renewal after June 30, 1987 of any such
certificate or endorsement initially issued or made on or
before June 30, 1987.
(c) Administrative certificates shall be renewed every 5
years with the first renewal being 5 years following the
initial receipt of an administrative certificate, unless the
validity period for the administrative certificate has been
changed under subsection (a-5) of this Section, in which case
the certificate shall be renewed at the same time that the
Standard or Master Teaching Certificate is renewed.
(c-5) Before July 1, 2003, renewal requirements for
administrators whose positions require certification shall be
based upon evidence of continuing professional education which
promotes the following goals: (1) improving administrators'
knowledge of instructional practices and administrative
procedures; (2) maintaining the basic level of competence
required for initial certification; and (3) improving the
mastery of skills and knowledge regarding the improvement of
teaching performance in clinical settings and assessment of the
levels of student performance in their schools. Evidence of
continuing professional education must include verification of
biennial attendance in a program developed by the Illinois
Administrators' Academy and verification of annual

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participation in a school district approved activity which
contributes to continuing professional education.
(c-10) Beginning July 1, 2003, except as otherwise provided
in subsection (c-15) of this Section, persons holding
administrative certificates must follow the certificate
renewal procedure set forth in this subsection (c-10), provided
that those persons holding administrative certificates on June
30, 2003 who are renewing those certificates on or after July
1, 2003 shall be issued new administrative certificates valid
for 5 years (unless changed under subsection (a-5) of this
Section), which may be renewed thereafter as set forth in this
subsection (c-10).
A person holding an administrative certificate and
employed in a position requiring administrative certification,
including a regional superintendent of schools, must satisfy
the continuing professional development requirements of this
Section to renew his or her administrative certificate. The
continuing professional development must include without
limitation the following continuing professional development
purposes:
(1) To improve the administrator's knowledge of
instructional practices and administrative procedures in
accordance with the Illinois Professional School Leader
Standards.
(2) To maintain the basic level of competence required
for initial certification.

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(3) To improve the administrator's mastery of skills
and knowledge regarding the improvement of teaching
performance in clinical settings and assessment of the
levels of student performance in the schools.
The continuing professional development must include the
following in order for the certificate to be renewed:
(A) Participation in continuing professional
development activities, which must total a minimum of 100
hours of continuing professional development. The
participation must consist of a minimum of 5 activities per
validity period of the certificate, and the certificate
holder must maintain documentation of completion of each
activity.
(B) Participation every year in an Illinois
Administrators' Academy course, which participation must
total a minimum of 30 continuing professional development
hours during the period of the certificate's validity and
which must include completion of applicable required
coursework, including completion of a communication,
dissemination, or application component, as defined by the
State Board of Education.
The certificate holder must complete a verification form
developed by the State Board of Education and certify that 100
hours of continuing professional development activities and 5
Administrators' Academy courses have been completed. The
regional superintendent of schools shall review and validate

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the verification form for a certificate holder. Based on
compliance with all of the requirements for renewal, the
regional superintendent of schools shall forward a
recommendation for renewal or non-renewal to the State
Superintendent of Education and shall notify the certificate
holder of the recommendation. The State Superintendent of
Education shall review the recommendation to renew or non-renew
and shall notify, in writing, the certificate holder of a
decision denying renewal of his or her certificate. Any
decision regarding non-renewal of an administrative
certificate may be appealed to the State Teacher Certification
Board.
The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
State Teacher Certification Board, shall adopt rules to
implement this subsection (c-10).
The regional superintendent of schools shall monitor the
process for renewal of administrative certificates established
in this subsection (c-10).
(c-15) This subsection (c-15) applies to the first period
of an administrative certificate's validity during which the
holder becomes subject to the requirements of subsection (c-10)
of this Section if the certificate has less than 5 years'
validity or has less than 5 years' validity remaining when the
certificate holder becomes subject to the requirements of
subsection (c-10) of this Section. With respect to this period,
the 100 hours of continuing professional development and 5

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activities per validity period specified in clause (A) of
subsection (c-10) of this Section shall instead be deemed to
mean 20 hours of continuing professional development and one
activity per year of the certificate's validity or remaining
validity and the 30 continuing professional development hours
specified in clause (B) of subsection (c-10) of this Section
shall instead be deemed to mean completion of at least one
course per year of the certificate's validity or remaining
validity. Certificate holders who evaluate certified staff
must complete a 2-day teacher evaluation course, in addition to
the 30 continuing professional development hours.
(c-20) The State Board of Education, in consultation with
the State Teacher Certification Board, shall develop
procedures for implementing this Section and shall administer
the renewal of administrative certificates. Failure to submit
satisfactory evidence of continuing professional education
which contributes to promoting the goals of this Section shall
result in a loss of administrative certification.
(d) Any limited or life supervisory certificate issued
prior to July 1, 1968 shall continue to be valid for all
administrative and supervisory positions in the public schools
for which it is valid as of that date as long as its holder
meets the requirements for registration or renewal as set forth
in the statutes or until revoked according to law.
(e) The administrative or supervisory positions for which
the certificate shall be valid shall be determined by one or

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more of 3 endorsements: general supervisory, general
administrative and superintendent.
Subject to the provisions of Section 21-1a, endorsements
shall be made under conditions set forth in this Section. The
State Board of Education shall, in consultation with the State
Teacher Certification Board, adopt rules pursuant to the
Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, establishing
requirements for obtaining administrative certificates where
the minimum administrative or supervisory requirements surpass
those set forth in this Section.
The State Teacher Certification Board shall file with the
State Board of Education a written recommendation when
considering additional administrative or supervisory
requirements. All additional requirements shall be based upon
the requisite knowledge necessary to perform those tasks
required by the certificate. The State Board of Education shall
in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board,
establish standards within its rules which shall include the
academic and professional requirements necessary for
certification. These standards shall at a minimum contain, but
not be limited to, those used by the State Board of Education
in determining whether additional knowledge will be required.
Additionally, the State Board of Education shall in
consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board,
establish provisions within its rules whereby any member of the
educational community or the public may file a formal written

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recommendation or inquiry regarding requirements.
(1) Until July 1, 2003, the general supervisory
endorsement shall be affixed to the administrative
certificate of any holder who has at least 16 semester
hours of graduate credit in professional education
including 8 semester hours of graduate credit in curriculum
and research and who has at least 2 years of full-time
teaching experience or school service personnel experience
in public schools, schools under the supervision of the
Department of Corrections, schools under the
administration of the Department of Rehabilitation
Services, or nonpublic schools meeting the standards
established by the State Superintendent of Education or
comparable out-of-state recognition standards approved by
the State Superintendent of Education.
Such endorsement shall be required for supervisors,
curriculum directors and for such similar and related
positions as determined by the State Superintendent of
Education in consultation with the State Teacher
Certification Board.
(2) The general administrative endorsement shall be
affixed to the administrative certificate of any holder who
has at least 20 semester hours of graduate credit in
educational administration and supervision and who has at
least 2 years of full-time teaching experience or school
service personnel experience in public schools, schools

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under the supervision of the Department of Corrections,
schools under the administration of the Department of
Rehabilitation Services, or nonpublic schools meeting the
standards established by the State Superintendent of
Education or comparable out-of-state recognition standards
approved by the State Superintendent of Education.
Such endorsement shall be required for principal,
assistant principal, assistant or associate
superintendent, junior college dean and for related or
similar positions as determined by the State
Superintendent of Education in consultation with the State
Teacher Certification Board.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act,
after January 1, 1990 and until January 1, 1991, any
teacher employed by a district subject to Article 34 shall
be entitled to receive an administrative certificate with a
general administrative endorsement affixed thereto if he
or she: (i) had at least 3 years of experience as a
certified teacher for such district prior to August 1,
1985; (ii) obtained a Master's degree prior to August 1,
1985; (iii) completed at least 20 hours of graduate credit
in education courses (including at least 12 hours in
educational administration and supervision) prior to
September 1, 1987; and (iv) has received a rating of
superior for at least each of the last 5 years. Any person
who obtains an administrative certificate with a general

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administrative endorsement affixed thereto under this
paragraph shall not be qualified to serve in any
administrative position except assistant principal.
(3) The chief school business official endorsement
shall be affixed to the administrative certificate of any
holder who qualifies by having a Master's degree, 2 two
years of administrative experience in school business
management or 2 years of university-approved practical
experience, and a minimum of 20 semester hours of graduate
credit in a program established by the State Superintendent
of Education in consultation with the State Teacher
Certification Board for the preparation of school business
administrators. Such endorsement shall also be affixed to
the administrative certificate of any holder who qualifies
by having a Master's Degree in Business Administration,
Finance or Accounting from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education.
After June 30, 1977, such endorsement shall be required
for any individual first employed as a chief school
business official.
(4) The superintendent endorsement shall be affixed to
the administrative certificate of any holder who has
completed 30 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the
master's degree in a program for the preparation of
superintendents of schools including 16 semester hours of
graduate credit in professional education and who has at

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least 2 years experience as an administrator or supervisor
in the public schools or the State Board of Education or
education service regions or in nonpublic schools meeting
the standards established by the State Superintendent of
Education or comparable out-of-state recognition standards
approved by the State Superintendent of Education and holds
general supervisory or general administrative endorsement,
or who has had 2 years of experience as a supervisor or
administrator while holding an all-grade supervisory
certificate or a certificate comparable in validity and
educational and experience requirements.
After June 30, 1968, such endorsement shall be required
for a superintendent of schools, except as provided in the
second paragraph of this Section and in Section 34-6.
Any person appointed to the position of superintendent
between the effective date of this Act and June 30, 1993 in
a school district organized pursuant to Article 32 with an
enrollment of at least 20,000 pupils shall be exempt from
the provisions of this paragraph (4) until June 30, 1996.
(f) All official interpretations or acts of issuing or
denying administrative certificates or endorsements by the
State Teacher's Certification Board, State Board of Education
or the State Superintendent of Education, from the passage of
P.A. 81-1208 on November 8, 1979 through September 24, 1981 are
hereby declared valid and legal acts in all respects and
further that the purported repeal of the provisions of this

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Section by P.A. 81-1208 and P.A. 81-1509 is declared null and
void.
(Source: P.A. 92-796, eff. 8-10-02; 93-679, eff. 6-30-04.)