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a. Conduct Program Planning

Planning is an ongoing process that will allow ISBE and its testing vendor, Pearson, to deliver a program that meets the vision and goals Illinois has for its educator licensure tests and is responsive to changes in the educational environment.

The development process for individual tests begins with program planning. Planning for test development and validation involves articulating a series of steps aimed at producing valid and reliable tests to help ISBE ensure test takers possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to educate the students of Illinois prior to receiving licensure.

This step also includes recruiting and selecting members to serve on the two committees that are involved during the development process: The Content advisory Council (CAC) and the Bias Review Committee (BRC). Committee members are recruited from Illinois public schools, higher education institutions with approved educator preparation programs, and other community groups through direct outreach (by Pearson and ISBE) and an application process. ISBE and its testing vendor send targeted recruitment invitations with a link to the application/nomination form on the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) website, but this form is also available for submission at any time, even when a test is not yet scheduled for development.   This open application process focuses on ensuring diversity in race/ethnicity, gender, geography, and school setting. 

b. Involve Illinois Educators and Higher Education Faculty

All applicants and nominations for the CAC and BRC are reviewed by ISBE for content area expertise and diverse representation. Committee members are approved and notified by ISBE.

Illinois educators and educator preparation faculty bring knowledge, experiences, and expertise essential for authentic and meaningful customized state tests.  Illinois educators and those who prepare educators who are selected to serve on the CAC are involved in test development activities outlined in steps 2 and 3 below.  Individuals selected to serve on the BRC are involved in step 3.

Note: When using national tests and nationally established cut scores, ISBE and Pearson do not convene committees of Illinois educators and educator preparation faculty. The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB) and the State Board of Education review and approve or deny cut scores.

c. Conduct Alignment Studies

Conducting alignment studies supports the validity by gathering evidence to document that ILTS tests are psychometrically sound, aligned to the appropriate state-approved content preparation standards, and aligned to other state requirements. Pearson partners with ISBE to align the tests to ISBE-approved standards and guidelines. ​​​​​

a. Develop the Test Framework

The CAC defines and validates the content to be included for the test based on a clear link between the content for the field and the relevant state-approved sources of content (e.g., national standards and state standards). The test framework includes major content areas (subareas), objectives within each subarea that further detail knowledge essential for each subarea, and descriptive statements that further explain each objective. View an example of a test framework here

ISBE and Pearson will introduce a new test structure called the “testlet" beginning with the redesigned Elementary Education test, which is scheduled to launch July 1, 2026. The testlet model will replace test subareas and objectives. Read more about the testlet model under the Testing Updates section of this page.

b. Conduct Content Validation Surveys

Conducting content validation surveys extends the validation process to include additional educators throughout Illinois.  Currently practicing educators and faculty from IHEs with approved programs in the content area respond to the Content Validation Survey.  This survey asks respondents to evaluate the importance of the knowledge or skills defined in each of the framework objectives for performing the job of an Illinois entry-level educator in the field, and how well the set of descriptive statements represent important aspects of the objective.

c. Publish Final Version of the Test Frameworks

Publishing the final version of the test frameworks provides faculty and test takers with clear information about the knowledge and skills that are eligible for inclusion on the tests. Accessing the framework allows EPPs and test takers to prepare by looking at standards, brushing up on previously learned skills, and updating educator preparation programs.​

a. Develop Test and Item Specifications

Test and Item Specifications provide structure and definition for developing the item bank used in each test area.  Item development specialists at Pearson use the specifications established by the CAC to draft or select test items appropriate for program inclusion.

Prepare, Review, and Validate Test Items

Draft test items, consistent with item writing guidelines and test development specification, are prepared by Pearson for the test field.  The draft items are reviewed by the BRC and then reviewed and validated by the CAC. 

b. Conduct Pilot Testing

Pilot testing of multiple-choice questions and constructed response items addresses critical issues of reliability and validity.  Pilot test analyses are conducted to assess the performance of each item to address its suitability for inclusion on test forms. For constructed-response items, pilot testing also assesses the ability of test takers to understand the prompt and respond in a way that fairly demonstrates their content area knowledge. The pilot test is advertised through the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) website, through emails to deans and scoring contacts at Illinois Educator Preparation Programs, and via email to all individuals who had recently taken or who were registered to take the current version of the ILTS test fields piloted. Incentives to take the pilot tests include test fee vouchers and exposure to the new test material.

c. Establish and Review Marker Responses​

For fields that include constructed response items, marker responses help set the criteria and standards for the scoring of test taker responses to constructed response items. The CAC establishes a set of responses (i.e., markers) exemplifying each of the score points on the scoring scale.  Marker responses are then used by Pearson to train scorers when evaluating responses to constructed response items. When constructed response items are not included, standard setting activities will occur in the six months leading up to the test launch, in alignment with ISBE and SEPLB approval. ​

a. Prepare Study Guides and Practice Tests

Pearson develops study guides and practice tests, along with a number of other test taker preparation materials, and posts them on the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) website. Preparation materials provide test takers and EPP faculty with a clear understanding of what content will be assessed on each test. Free licensure test practice exams are available for most tests on the ILTS webpage. Test takers must register for the exam to receive the free practice test.

b. Build and Administer First Operational Test Form

Pearson develops test forms that follow the structure and requirements defined by the test frameworks and specifications.  Validity considerations require that each test item is matched to an explicit framework objective aligned with sources of content (e.g., appropriate ISBE-approved standards).  Each test has multiple versions, created by selecting different combinations of questions from a shared item bank.

c. Conduct Standard Setting Process

The standard setting process is an opportunity for Illinois educators to recommend a passing score, called a cut score, based upon the content and difficulty of the test.

d. Approve Cut Scores

ISBE's State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB) and the Illinois State Board of Education review and approve the committee- recommended cut score (or an alternative score).

a. Launch Test

Pearson opens the test for registration on the ILTS website and publishes ISBE-approved passing scores. Individuals can register and take the exam.

b. Revisit Test for Bias

Beginning Fall 2025, a differential item functioning (DIF) analyses will be conducted for each test two years after it is launched and every two years thereafter to ensure tests are bias-free. Results will be provided to ISBE for analysis.​

c. Analyze​ Pass Rates

The State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB) analyzes pass rate data for tests 3 years after their launch. SEPLB identifies areas of concern that may warrant further review by ISBE.​