Section 25.311  Alternative Route to Superintendent Endorsement

This Section establishes the requirements, in addition to those set forth in Section 21B-55 of the Code, for programs offering an alternative route to obtain a superintendent endorsement on the PEL for those individuals who have been employed for a period of at least five years in a management-level position other than education. (Section 21B-55(d)(2) of the Code)

a)         General Requirements

An institution of higher education or a not-for-profit entity recognized and approved to offer educator preparation programs under Subpart C may establish a program under this Section.  Each alternative superintendent endorsement program shall:

1)         include an intensive course of study covering each of the areas listed in Section 21B-55(c) of the Code that is provided in a shorter amount of time than what is required to complete a superintendent endorsement preparation program approved pursuant to Subpart C and offered immediately preceding the candidate's placement into a school district under subsection (a)(2) of this Section;

2)         provide for the candidate's placement as a full-time superintendent or assistant superintendent in an Illinois public school district for one school year; and

3)         conduct a comprehensive assessment of the candidate's performance by school officials, which shall include at least the president of the board of education of the district of placement and, if the candidate is serving as an assistant superintendent, the district superintendent.

b)         Candidate Qualifications

1)         In order to serve as superintendent or assistant superintendent, each candidate shall apply for and be issued an educator license with stipulations endorsed for alternative provisional superintendent upon the presentation of evidence of having met the requirements set forth in Section 21B-55(d) of the Code and payment of the fee required under Section 21B-40 of the Code. 

A)        For the purposes of previous employment, "management-level position" does not include any management position in a public or nonpublic school that serves any of prekindergarten through grade 12. 

B)        A "minimum of a master's degree" means the completion of a master's degree or other degree beyond the bachelor's degree level (e.g., juris doctor (J.D.), doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.), doctor of education (Ed.D.)).

C)        Each candidate shall pass the content-area test for superintendent.

2)         Successful completion of an alternative route to superintendent endorsement program shall be deemed to satisfy any other supervisory, administrative, or management experience requirements established by law, and, once completed, an individual shall be eligible for a superintendent endorsement on a professional educator license (Section 21B-55(e) of the Code) upon application and payment of the fee required under Section 21B-40 of the Code.

c)         Proposal Requirements

1)         Each proposal to establish an alternative program shall describe the roles and responsibilities of the participating institution of higher education or not-for-profit entity and the school districts in which candidates will be assigned for the year of practice as full-time superintendents or assistant superintendents.

2)         Each proposal shall describe the proposed course of study, which shall:

A)        describe how individual candidates' education and experience will be used in determining the portions of the course of study they will be required to complete;

B)        demonstrate how candidates will acquire knowledge of content and skills equivalent to the content and skills contained in a superintendent endorsement preparation program approved pursuant to Subpart C with regard to:

i)          educational management;

ii)         governance and organization; and

iii)        instructional and district planning; and

C)        include a preservice assessment of each candidate's performance to be conducted by the institution of higher education at the conclusion of the course of study in order to determine the candidate's readiness for the year-long assignment as a superintendent or assistant superintendent.  Each proposal shall state the criteria for the institution's determination of candidates' readiness.

3)         Each proposal shall describe the proposed arrangements for candidates' assignment to a position as superintendent or assistant superintendent and shall provide for these to be set forth in a formal, written agreement between the participating institution of higher education and the school districts where candidates will practice.  Each agreement shall address the nature and intensity of the support to be provided to candidates by experienced district-level administrators, university staff or other professionals with relevant experience, including at least:

A)        the qualifications and experience of these individuals;

B)        the estimated amount of time these individuals will devote to advising and assisting candidates; and

C)        the specific roles of the assisting individuals.

4)         Each proposal shall describe the proposed method of assessing candidates' performance for the year referred to in this Section and shall provide for these to be set forth in a formal, written agreement between the participating institution of higher education or not-for-profit entity and the school districts where candidates will practice.  Each agreement shall include:

A)        the roles of all parties who will participate in the evaluation of candidates; and

B)        assessment methods capable of demonstrating whether a candidate has acquired knowledge and skills equivalent to those required of candidates in a superintendent endorsement preparation program approved pursuant to Subpart C.

5)         Each proposal shall delineate the criteria by which candidates will be recommended for the superintendent endorsement on the PEL by the participating institution of higher education or not-for-profit entity.

6)         Each proposal shall include an assurance that if a candidate, during the year of practice, will be evaluating any principals, the program shall facilitate and ensure the candidate's successful completion of the prequalification process and passage of the assessment required under Section 24A-3 of the Code.

7)         Proposals shall be submitted electronically to the State Board.

d)         Program Approval

Proposals for the establishment of alternative superintendent endorsement programs meeting the specifications of this Section and Section 21B-55 of the Code shall be approved by the State Superintendent pursuant to the requirements set forth in Section 25.120, in consultation with SEPLB. 

e)         Each alternative program established pursuant to this Section shall be subject to the review process and reporting requirements described in Subpart C.

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 7269, effective June 3, 2021)