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Requirements for CertificationVIII. Procedures for Moving from Initial to Standard-Level CertificationPublic Act 093-0679 that went into effect June 30, 2004, significantly changed the requirements for moving from Initial- to Standard-level certification, simplifying the application process and adding several professional development options. Teachers submit forms directly to their Regional Office of Education or Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) if the employing district and its exclusive representative, if any, agree to keep the LPDC. Teachers are still required to complete four years of teaching experience and an eligible professional development option; however, teachers can now hold the Initial indefinitely until the four years of experience are completed. Applicants from other states with proof of four years of teaching experience and applicants who hold another state's second tier certificate equivalent to Illinois' standard level may be issued the Standard certificate. Application Process Teachers who have four years of teaching experience on an Initial certificate and have completed one of the professional development options must:
NOTE: Any applications that have already been submitted to the Regional Office of Education will be processed, and if all requirements have been met, the certificates will be issued. Forms can be obtained at http://www.isbe.net/certification/html/forms.htm Professional Development Options (complete one)
Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs) Teachers who choose CPDUs as their professional development option may use X-type CPDUs but are not required to earn any from this category. ("X-type CPDUs" are earned through workshops specifically designed for beginning teachers.) The number of CPDUs is prorated for individuals who held Initial certificates on August 10, 2002. The CPDUs are prorated based on the number of years of teaching time remaining on the Initial certificate as of July 1, 2003. For example, a teacher issued an Initial Certificate in 2000 but who never taught would be required to meet the full 60-CPDU requirement. A teacher who had already taught two years would need only 30. The CPDU requirement for out-of-state teachers with less than four years of teaching experience on comparable certificates is prorated based on the number of years left to teach in Illinois.
CREDITABLE CPDU ACTIVITIES
Teaching Experience "Four years of teaching experience" means the equivalent of four years' full-time employment, i.e., eight semesters of full-time teaching on a valid teaching certificate. Experience does not have to be accumulated through full-time teaching. For example, a teacher who teaches half-time for a full year could accumulate four years of teaching over eight school years. The years do not need to be consecutive. A valid teaching certificate for this purpose is a certificate equivalent to an Illinois Master, Standard, Initial or Provisional, early childhood, elementary, secondary, or special certificate. Teaching on a comparable certificate from another state counts toward the requirement. Teaching experience is verified by a statement that documents the nature and duration of the teaching. The statement(s) must be on official school or district letterhead and signed by the chief school administrator or designee. Time spent teaching or substituting in public or private schools on a valid teaching certificate other than a substitute certificate counts towards the four years of experience. Teaching in a home school or on a substitute certificate (Type 39) or a Transitional Bilingual (Type 29) is not applicable. Validity of Initial Certificate Initial teaching certificates become invalid on June 30 after the fourth year of teaching experience is completed. Teachers who do not complete the professional development requirements by the time they have completed their four years of teaching may request reinstatement for one year and must complete the professional development option by the end of the reinstatement period. (The certificates of individuals whose registration expired June 30, 2004, have automatically been reinstated for the 2004-05 school year.) If teachers do not meet the requirements by the end of the year of reinstatement, the certificate is no longer valid and cannot be reissued. Teachers may apply for an Initial teaching certificate of a different type if they meet the requirements for it. Illinois State Board of Education |