Secondary Teacher Preparation: Illinois

Analysis of Illinois's policies

Illinois requires that its secondary teacher candidates pass a content test to teach any core secondary subjects.  Unfortunately, Illinois permits a significant loophole to this important policy by allowing both general science and general social studies licenses, without requiring subject-matter testing for each subject area within these disciplines (see Goals 1-G and 1-H).

To add an endorsement to a secondary certificate, teachers in Illinois must also pass a content test. However, the state outlines specific guidelines for science and social studies endorsements. Secondary teachers who are adding an endorsement (e.g., broad-field social science) with a subject-specific designation (e.g., economics, history, psychology) in either of these fields who does not already hold that endorsement with one of its other available designations must pass a content test for the subject area to be added. Teachers may receive subsequent designations in the same general field by either passing a content test and completing 12 hours of coursework or completing a content-area major. Therefore, as stated above, Illinois cannot guarantee content knowledge in each specific subject for those secondary teachers who add general science or general social studies endorsements.

Citation

Illinois Administrative Code, Title 23, Section 25.100, -.720

Recommendations for Illinois

Require subject-matter testing for all secondary teacher candidates.
Illinois wisely requires subject-matter tests for most secondary teachers but should address any loopholes that undermine this policy (see Goals 1-G and 1-H). This applies to the addition of endorsements as well.

State response to our analysis

Illinois recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis. The state added that this topic will be reviewed when it begins work on secondary programs.