The bill amends the Revised School Code to update the requirements for issuing teaching licenses, certificates, and endorsements by the superintendent of public instruction. It specifies that the superintendent shall only issue a teaching certificate or additional endorsement to individuals who have passed the appropriate examinations, with provisions for accepting equivalent examinations for those holding certificates from other states, countries, or federally recognized Indian tribes. Additionally, the bill mandates that individuals must complete a 3-credit course in reading disabilities and differentiated instruction to advance to professional certification. The language has been updated to replace gender-specific terms with gender-neutral terms, such as changing "his or her" to "the individual's."

Furthermore, the bill introduces a nonrenewable temporary teaching certificate valid for three years for individuals who meet all requirements except for passing the necessary examinations or fulfilling reading credit requirements. It also outlines the process for the superintendent to deny certification based on fraud or misrepresentation. The superintendent is tasked with developing subject area examinations and must report annually on their development and use. The bill emphasizes the importance of recognizing reading disorders in teacher training and allows for the assessment of fees for examinations, which must be used solely for administrative expenses related to the implementation of this section.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-1): 380.1531
House Introduced Bill: 380.1531
As Passed by the House: 380.1531