The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) last Wednesday approved specific recommendations to expand and diversify the state’s highly qualified teacher workforce. The recommendations remove barriers and create new avenues of entry into the profession, while maintaining high standards. The recommendations stem from a year of study involving focus groups, data analysis, and a review of state and national research. The year of study culminated in the Teach Illinois report released on September 7th. ISBE received more than 150 public comments on the report over a three-week period and took each comment into consideration in developing the agency’s next steps and legislative recommendations. ISBE recommended specific legislative changes to the Illinois School Code to:

– Create three job-embedded routes to licensure for paraprofessionals, substitutes, transitional bilingual educators, and career changers.

– Remove the requirement of a test of basic skills for individuals already possessing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in order to receive initial licensure or endorsements on licenses.

– Expand mentoring supports to experienced teachers and principals.

ISBE will continue to engage lawmakers and stakeholders in the development and implementation of this work. View the full recommendations, statutory references, and timelines at www.isbe.net/teachillinois.