HOW WILL THE MOVE TO LICENSURE AFFECT PARAPROFESSIONAL APPROVALS
DISCLAIMER While new legislation and administrative rules lay groundwork for the licensure system, many specifics still need to be determined, so not all questions can be answered at this time. It is better to delay a response to a question than to provide an incorrect answer. Therefore, the State Board of Education, the Regional Offices of Education, and professional associations and unions will provide information on an ongoing basis as additional legislation and administrative rules are promulgated.
CURRENTLY TWO TYPES OF PARAPROFESSIONAL APPROVALS NCLB Paraprofessional May provide instructional support in any school that includes programs supported by Title 1, Part A funds State Approved Paraprofessional Individuals holding a State Paraprofessional Approval may not provide instructional support in programs funded by Title I, Part A.
NCLB PARAPROFESSIONAL APPROVAL REQUIRES: A high school diploma or GED AND An associate s degree or have earned a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited institution of higher education OR A test of basic skills (currently defined as the ETS Parapro or the ACT Workkeys)
THE EXCHANGE OF NCLB APPROVALS The NCLB Paraprofessional Approvals will be exchanged Electronically on July 1, 2013 For the Educator License with Stipulations with a paraprofessional educator endorsement
REGISTRATION AND RENEWAL License holders must register the license by paying the registration fee of $50.00 [$10.00/year for five years] The license will be valid until June 30 immediately following 5 years of the endorsement being issued. NOTE: ISBE has yet to approve the registration requirements of exchanged credentials. Holders may have up to 5 years before they will need to pay fees to register. (2018)
REGISTRATION AND RENEWAL The license does not automatically renew, but it may be renewed through application and payment of the appropriate fee. Not subject to additional requirements in order to renew the endorsement. (no testing, no professional development) Licenses not Registered or renewed after 6 months of expiration will lapse.
NEW APPLICATIONS Requirements for the license will be the same as the NCLB Approval. After the transition to the licensure system, individuals applying for the first time must apply for the paraprofessional endorsement on an educator license with stipulations and pay an application fee of $75.00 Register the credential and pay the $50.00 fee
STATE-APPROVED PARAPROFESSIONALS The State Paraprofessional Approval requires: A high school diploma or GED AND 30 semester hours of college credit from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
STATE-APPROVED PARAPROFESSIONALS State Approvals will remain valid There is no registration fee for this credential Will not be able to obtain a paraprofessional endorsement on an educator license with stipulations unless they meet the requirements for an NCLB paraprofessional.
RECOMMENDATIONS Visit: www.isbe.net/ecs Choose Educator access and create a profile if you have not already done so Update your personal information especially your contact information (Email) Because everything will be transitioned and communicated electronically after July 1, 2013 this step is VERY important. There will be a new website: ELIS Educator License Information System
TO SURRENDER YOUR NCLB PARAPROFESSSIONAL APPROVAL THIS IS OPTIONAL! You are required to have this license if you wish to work in Title I programs unless you have a valid registered Professional Educator License. If you wish to surrender your approval you must mail this form to ISBE or FAX to 217/524-1289 by June 15, 2013. http://www.isbe.net/certification/pdf/tasnsurrender-form.pdf By doing so, you are indicating to the Illinois State Board of Education that you wish to surrender your NCLB Paraprofessional credential, therefore, you will not receive an Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) endorsed for Paraprofessional Educator
WHERE CAN I GET HELP? Regional Office Of Education 300 Heart Blvd Loves Park, IL 61111 Certification Staff - 815-636-3060 Tom McCullough, Office Manager tmccullo@kidsroe.org Stephanie Putzstuck, Certification Assistant sputzstu@kidsroe.org Jamie Watts, Education Services Coordinator jwatts@kidsroe.org For more information regarding the transition to licensure and lapsed certificates, visit: http://www.wincoil.us/departments/regional-office-ofeducation/teacher-certification/