Elementary Teacher Preparation in
Mathematics: Illinois

Analysis of Illinois's policies

Illinois relies on its standards for teacher preparation programs and its subject-matter testing requirements as the basis for articulating its requirements for the mathematics content knowledge of elementary teacher candidates.

Illinois does not specify any coursework requirements regarding mathematics content. However, the state has articulated teaching standards that its approved teacher preparation programs must use to frame instruction in elementary mathematics content. Elementary teacher candidates must "demonstrate proficiency" in various mathematics concepts, including algebra, geometry and statistics. Unfortunately, these standards lack the specificity needed to ensure that teacher preparation programs deliver mathematics content of appropriate breadth and depth to elementary teacher candidates.

Illinois requires that all new elementary teachers pass a general subject-matter test from the Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS). The test's standards appropriately address content in mathematics foundations, but although they outline areas such as algebra, geometry and statistics, the standards are not specifically geared to meet the needs of elementary teachers. In addition, Illinois posts only a limited number of sample items, and a review of this material calls into question the test's rigor; the test items representing elementary school content assess understanding at too superficial a level. Further, the state does not provide a specific mathematics passing score, so one can likely fail the mathematics portion and still pass the test.

Citation

Illinois Administrative Code, IAC 23 Ch. I Section 26.330 ICTS http://www.icts.nesinc.com/

Recommendations for Illinois

Require teacher preparation programs to provide mathematics content specifically geared to the needs of elementary teachers.
Although Illinois requires some knowledge in key areas of mathematics, the state should require teacher preparation programs to provide mathematics content specifically geared to the needs of elementary teachers. This includes specific coursework in foundations, algebra and geometry, with some statistics. 

Require teacher candidates to pass a rigorous mathematics assessment.
Illinois should assess mathematics content with a rigorous assessment tool, such as the test required in Massachusetts, that evaluates mathematics knowledge beyond an elementary school level and challenges candidates' understanding of underlying mathematics concepts. Such a test could also be used to allow candidates to test out of coursework requirements. Teacher candidates who lack minimum mathematics knowledge should not be eligible for licensure.

State response to our analysis

Illinois recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis. The state added that its new requirements for elementary and middle grades have specific content standards for mathematics that align to the Common Core. Additionally, when the stakeholders developed teacher standards, the goal was not only alignment, but also that teachers know expectations for their certified grade range as well as those above and below them. Hence, elementary teachers are required to know middle-level standards, and middle-level teachers are required to know elementary and high school standards.

Further, Illinois's new assessments will require passing scores for each subarea within the elementary content test and specific content-area tests for middle-level teachers. For example, a math endorsement will require that teachers pass a mathematics content test.