Section 25.10  Definitions

As used in this Part, the following terms have the meanings ascribed in this Section.

"Code" means the Illinois School Code [105 ILCS 5].

"ELS-CTE" means an educator license with stipulations endorsed for career and technical education.

"ECE" means early childhood education.

"ELIS" means the State Board's Educator Licensure Information System.

"ELS-APE" means an educator license with stipulations endorsed for alternative provisional educator.

"ELS-CTEP" means an educator license with stipulations endorsed for provisional career and technical educator.

“ELS-PARA” means an educator license with stipulations endorsed for paraprofessional.

"ELS-TBE" means an educator license with stipulations endorsed for transitional bilingual educator.

“ELS-VIT” means an educator license with stipulations endorsed for visiting international educator.

"EPP" means an educator preparation program.

"Institution" means either a regionally accredited institution of higher learning as specified in Section 21B-105 of the Code when referring to an institution located within the United States or a not-for-profit entity approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.  Accordingly, any coursework required for, or counted towards fulfilling the requirements for, a credential issued pursuant to this Part shall be completed at or accepted by a regionally accredited institution or an approved not-for-profit entity.  Approval of preparation programs under Subpart C shall be available only to regionally accredited institutions or approved not-for-profit entities.  Coursework completed in another country shall be subject to the provisions of Section 25.425.

"PEL" means a professional educator license.

"PK-12" means pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

“Regionally accredited” means accredited by one of the following organizations: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).

"ROE" means regional office of education.

"SEPLB" means the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board.

"State Board" means the Illinois State Board of Education.

"State Superintendent" means the State Superintendent of Education or a designee.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 7729, effective May 9, 2024)