Senate Sponsors: CRONIN-BERMAN. Short description: SCH CD-ALT ROUTE TEACHER CERT Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the School Code. Changes provisions concerning the Alternative Route to Teacher Certification program. Changes the name of the program to the Teachers for Illinois Alternative Route to Teacher Certification program. Replaces the course of study and assignment to a teaching position phases of the program with phases concerning (i) field work experience with students before being assigned to a classroom as an intern, (ii) professional education coursework that is comparable to traditional approved teacher education programs, which shall be completed during a minimum of 2 summers and one academic year, and (iii) a minimum one year, full-time teaching internship with a reduced salary from the school district, with the district paying the costs of mentoring and tuition to the teacher preparation institution during the academic year. Provides that the comprehensive assessment of the person's teaching performance shall be a performance-based assessment. Provides that coursework may be applied towards a master's degree program in education. For a provisional alternative teaching certificate applicant, provides that the 5 years of employment experience in an area requiring application of the individual's education must be professional work experience. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Provides that the reduced salary for the full-time teaching internship phase of the Teachers for Illinois Alternative Route to Teacher Certification program is an exception to the provision requiring a person who possesses a provisional alternative teaching certificate or an initial teaching certificate to be treated as a regularly certified teacher for purposes of compensation. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 01-01-09 Location: Senate Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 1 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status