Section 25.120  Initial Approval of Educator Preparation Programs by the State Board of Education

The procedures set forth in this Section shall apply to the initial approval or redesign of educator preparation programs established by EPPs that are already recognized.  Additional considerations for approval of programs for foreign language are stated in Section 25.147.

a)         The institution shall submit to the State Superintendent a program proposal meeting the requirements set forth in this subsection (a).  As applicable to the program being proposed, requirements in addition to this subsection (a) may be found in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 30 (Programs for the Preparation of Principals in Illinois) and 23 Ill. Adm. Code 33 (Programs for the Preparation of Superintendents in Illinois).

1)         Evidence that the proposed program meets the applicable professional education and content-area standards established by the State Board in rule; the standards shall include:

A)        the applicable content standards set forth at 23 Ill. Adm. Code 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, or 33; and

B)        the standards set forth at 23 Ill. Adm. Code 24 (Standards for All Illinois Educators).

2)         A description of the criteria for admission to, retention in, and exit from the program, including the required grade point average and minimum grade requirements for the institution. 

3)         A description of the program assessments to be used, as relevant to the program being proposed, and how the faculty will collect, analyze, and use the data from the assessments used.

4)         Identification of the faculty members with primary responsibility for preparing professional educators in the program and faculty members' qualifications for their positions.

5)         A description of the course of study, field experiences, and clinical practice.  The descriptions of field experiences and clinical practices shall include:

A)        the criteria and measures taken to ensure candidates gain experience in diverse settings and with students with varying demographic characteristics;

B)        the measures taken to ensure that candidates gain experience with technology relevant to the profession; and

C)        the program's requirements for faculty supervision of field experiences and clinical practice.

6)         The proportion of coursework offered virtually.

7)         Policies and procedures that EPP program staff shall follow when identifying individual licensure pathways for candidates based on prior coursework, experience, and knowledge.

b)         After consideration of the proposal, SEPLB shall recommend that the State Superintendent either:

1)         Approve the proposed new educator preparation programs, thereby authorizing the EPP to conduct the programs and to recommend candidates for licensure by entitlement; or

2)         Deny approval of the proposed programs, thereby prohibiting the conduct of the affected programs.

c)         Actions following upon the recommendation to the State Superintendent shall be as described in Section 25.160.

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 5954, effective April 11, 2023)