BIG NEWS!
As of Friday, August 9, 2024, HB 5057 has become law and is now PA 103-0846. The law has immediate implications for teacher candidates and preparation programs in Illinois:
.• The content test for teacher candidates, enrolled in traditional or apprenticeship educator preparation programs, must now be taken and passed prior to entitlement for a Professional Educator License rather than prior to student teaching. This means that candidates may begin student teaching this fall if they have not yet passed the content test.
• The content test requirement for teacher candidates enrolled in an alternative educator preparation program (which includes the issuance of an Alternative Provisional Educator License with Stipulations (ELS-APE)) must now be taken and passed prior to entitlement for a Professional Educator License rather than prior to issuance of the ELS-APE.
• The public act also allows for ISBE to write rules to allow content test subareas to be scored and retaken separately and independently. ISBE will explore potential rule changes and consult with its testing vendor.