Section 33.50  Coursework Requirements

a)         The coursework required by the preparation program of its candidates must cover each of the following areas:

1)         State and federal laws, regulations, and case law affecting Illinois public schools;

2)         State and federal laws, regulations, and case law regarding programs for students with disabilities and English learners; 

3)         use of technology for effective teaching and learning and administrative needs;

4)         use of a process that determines how a child responds to scientific, research-based interventions that are designed to screen students who may be at risk of academic failure, monitor the effectiveness of instruction proposed for students identified as at risk, and modify instruction as needed to meet the needs of each student;

5)         identification of bullying; understanding the different types of bullying behavior and its harm to individual students and the school; and the importance of teaching, promoting, and rewarding a peaceful and productive school climate; and

6)         the process to be used to evaluate licensed staff in accordance with the provisions of Section 24A-3 of the School Code.

b)         The superintendent preparation program shall determine the courses for which completion of field experiences will be required and the time allotted to field experiences across all courses in the curriculum.

c)         A superintendent preparation program may allow candidates to "proficiency out" of certain coursework, provided that the candidate presents acceptable evidence of having mastered the competencies gained from the coursework and the program has adopted a policy regarding proficiency procedures.

1)         The policy adopted under this subsection (c) shall require that candidates provide evidence of specific experiences that exemplify competency rather than providing only the results from written examinations or evidence of participation in an activity.

2)         The policy adopted under this subsection (c) shall list those courses that are mandatory for program completion, regardless of a candidate's previously acquired competencies.

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 13152, effective July 13, 2022)